Natural Resources Internships Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A.

• Application Opening Date: August 11, 2026
• Application Filing Deadline: Application filing will be open at least through August 17, 2026 at 11:59PM (PDT), and will close any time thereafter
• Location: 1657 Rollins Rd, Burlingame, CA 94010
• Recruitment ID: PBT-0922-163110 / RTF0162897-01090182

WHO ARE WE?
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)
Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees operating across eight counties serving more than 2.7 million customers in the San Francisco Bay Area - 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Our Mission: To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.

Our Vision: We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness.

We are an award-winning and industry-leading utilities organization committed to our customers, community interests, and the environment. To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at https://www.sfpuc.org/.

We are proud of our infrastructure and programs, but most importantly, we value our highly qualified and dedicated workforce which ensures that this vision becomes a reality.

To learn more about working at the SFPUC, visit our career site here.

About the Natural Resources and Lands Management Division: The Natural Resources and Lands Management (NRLM) Division within the Water Enterprise of the SFPUC is responsible for the management of approximately 61,000 acres of Bay Area watershed lands under SFPUC ownership as well as 150 miles of utility right-of-way. The NRLM Division is responsible for managing, protecting, restoring, and monitoring the ecological resources on these lands and environmental compliance for the operations and maintenance of the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System which serves 2.7 million customers. We are committed to responsible natural resources management that protects and restores viable populations of native species and maintains the integrity of the ecosystems that support them for current and future generations. We strive to become a leader in science-based and collaborative environmental stewardship in order to continue providing high-quality and reliable drinking water to our customers.
About the Position
The Volunteer and Community Services Manager oversees the SFPUC Natural Resources and Lands Management public programs on the Peninsula Watershed, San Francisco and the Right of Way. The manager leads the environmental education, interpretive, trail recreation, stewardship and docent programs related to resource conservation and public access. This position fosters partnerships with community and education groups and leverages volunteer efforts to deliver the programs' needs.

The manager also interfaces with surrounding communities, neighborhood groups, licensees and other regional land management resource agencies in San Francisco and San Mateo County and represents the SFPUC at public and interagency meetings and events.

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Recruits, hires, trains, coaches, monitors, and directs supporting staff including Volunteer Coordinator, seasonal employees and interns.             
• Administers the public access program on the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail including managing the trail reservation system and database, events, interpretive and related programs and facilities.    
• Manages the volunteer trail leader program including developing enrichment and educational opportunities, recruitment plans and strategies, program policies and evaluation tools.
• Develops and manages the volunteer watershed programs for habitat restoration, trail maintenance, exotic plant removal, field surveys, revegetation, natural resource monitoring, service-learning, and related activities; develops new engagement strategies and stewardship opportunities.
• Develops and implements an outdoor environmental education program for the Peninsula watershed that focuses on the protection of water and natural resources and that serves a diversity of communities and ages.               
• Develops and implements permit program for the Southern Skyline Ridge Trail, works with internal staff to monitor the trail permits and recommends changes and maintains permit information about the trail on the website.             
• For all programs, assesses results, sets goals and establishes project-related priorities; recommends and implements policies and procedures for volunteer and community programs, works with division staff to identify needs and opportunities for utilization of volunteers; participates as a team member to support the implementation of projects; creates summary reports and develops recommendations. 
• Manages content and coordinates an interactive website for the Peninsula Natural Resource Division, which includes information about the natural, cultural and water resources protected on the watershed and rights of way lands, events and permits. 
• Liaisons with external agencies and institutions including other local and regional educational and natural resource entities; participates in regional trail and resource conservation collaborations.
• Establishes and maintains contacts and relationships with schools, community groups and leaders, other City departments and representatives of outside agencies; develops and organizes community and departmental events.
• Makes presentations to private and public, civic and professional groups about watershed and ROW programs, coordinates with SFPUC public affairs regarding media and press communications.      
• Develops project plans, budgets and controls expenditures related to public outreach, volunteer programs and community involvement.    
• Maintains schedules, timesheets, files and records for volunteers, including basic database management and development of statistical data; orders and maintains supplies, tools and equipment for program.
• Performs other duties as assigned to Class 0922

Nature of Work: Portion of the work duties will be outdoors, exposing the incumbent to inclement weather, potential hazards, and animals common in a natural landscape. The position may stand and/or walk for extended periods of time.  Ability to work in a busy, noisy environment. Occasionally may lift and/or push 30 pounds of equipment. 

Minimum Qualifications: Minimum qualifications reflect the lowest level of acceptable education and/or experience required of an individual such that the individual reasonably could be expected to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.  Candidates must meet all the requirements established by the MQs to be considered for the position. 

• Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
• Experience: Four (4) years of experience coordinating or directing volunteers, stewardship, education or related community programs
• License: Possession of a valid and current California driver's license

Education Substitution: Additional professional experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two (2) years. One (1) year is equivalent to thirty (30) semester units/forty-five (45) quarter units.

Note: One year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2000 hours. (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week.) 
Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed to advance through all of the steps in the selection process.
Desirable Qualifications:
The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

• 2 years of supervisory experience                                                           
• Experience or education in natural resource management, ecology or related field
• Expertise interacting with the public in a visitor services role.                                                      
• Experience using an on-line database to manage reservations, appointments, programs, and/or staff calendars, etc. (e.g., Salesforce, ActiveNet, RecDesk, etc.)
• Experience with event and/or program logistics.                                                
• Experience with contracts and invoicing.                                                               
• Adept with Microsoft Office suite, graphics, and mailing software, etc.   
• Experience working with underserved communities
• Fluency in a second language.   

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications. 

Verification: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at How to Verify Education Requirements

Experience claimed in self-employment will only be accepted if supported by documents verifying income, earnings, business license and experience comparable to minimum qualifications above. Copies of income tax papers or other documents listing occupation and total earnings must be submitted.

Verification of required valid licensure/certification typically must be a photocopy of the license/certificate including the name of the issuing agency as well as the name of the license/certificate holder, license/certificate number, and expiration date.

Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

Compensation and Benefits: The normal annual salary range is listed above. Appointment above the maximum of the normal range may be considered based on documented and substantiated recruitment and retention issues or exceptional skills. A special approval process is necessary for appointment above the normal salary range.

In addition, the City and County of San Francisco (City) offers comprehensive benefit programs which include:
Medical, Vision, Dental, and Life insurance
Long-term disability plan; Flexible Spending Accounts
Pension Plan; Retiree Healthcare; Deferred Compensation Program
Paid Management Training Program; Wellness Program
Paid Vacation, Holidays, Sick Leave; Management Leave
Learn more about the City's Management Benefits.

Selection Procedures:
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following: 

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ): (Weight: Qualifying) Candidates will be required to complete a MQSQ as part of the employment application at a later time. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.

Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire (BCQ) Evaluation (Weight:100%):

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be sent a Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire (BCQ) Examination via electronic mail after the closing of this filing period. The BCQ Exam is designed to measure the knowledge, skills and/or abilities in job-related areas required for the position.  Applicants will be given a deadline to return the BCQ Exam. Those who do not respond by the established deadline will not be eligible to continue in the examination process and will not be added to eligibility list resulting from this process. All applicants' responses to the BCQ Exam are subject to verification. The BCQ Exam component may include but not be limited to:

• Ability to develop and implement volunteer and community programs including planning, recruiting, training, retaining, evaluating and monitoring staff and volunteers.           
• Ability to direct work of subordinates, contractors and consultants, lead volunteers, interns in the implementation of natural resource management, conservation, trail or related projects and initiatives. 
• Ability to develop environmental education programs for youth and adults that serve a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

A passing score must be achieved on the BCQ Exam in order to continue in the selection process and be placed o...