On-land Visual Trash Assessment (OVTA) Internship

The Environmental Services Department (ESD) is a national leader in pollution prevention, watershed protection, utility service provision, and climate action. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San Jose.

Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents! 

To learn more about ESD, follow @sjenvironment on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and San Jose Environmental Services on LinkedIn. 

About the Watershed Protection Division 

The Watershed Protection (WSP) Division provides services that support the City’s efforts to protect water quality in local creeks and the Bay. These services are integral to the City’s management of both wastewater and stormwater. The Watershed Protection Division is comprised of nearly 90 employees with four key functions: Stormwater Management, Environmental Enforcement, Industrial Pretreatment, and Emergency Preparedness & Real Estate.

position Duties

About the On-land Visual Trash Assessment Internship

The Environmental Services Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) part-time unbenefited Undergraduate/Graduate Student Intern position.

The On-land Visual Trash Assessment (OVTA) intern will provide support to the Stormwater Management group and the Adopt-a-Storm Drain team. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Tracking and analyzing trash levels for an enhanced street sweeping pilot program:

• Conduct field visits and surveys along specific street segments across San Jose.
• Track and coordinate enhanced street sweeping activities.
• Collect data, submit 311 requests (as appropriate), and update and review dashboards for OVTAs.
• Perform data analysis, generate reports, and create charts.
• Assist with departmental memorandums.

Outreach and Community Engagement:

• Provide outreach to and delivery of materials to OVTA-adjacent properties.
• Promote the Adopt-a-Storm Drain program at planned and seasonal community presentations and events.

Administrative Support:

• Support Adopt-a-Storm Drain program operations such as tool inventory, preparation, and distribution.
• Handle mailings, phone coverage, and monitoring of the team email inbox and hotline.
• Perform basic data entry, data comparison, and update contact lists.
• Assist with sorting, filing, and organizing non-urgent projects.
• Support in editing and/or creating simple documents, flyers, and other materials as needed.

Duration of Assignment

Approximately 1 year, with the possibility to extend. 

Salary Information

Salary ranges for this classification are:

• Undergraduate Student Intern: $15.86 – $22.65 hourly
• Graduate Student Intern: $20.52 – $30.30 hourly

These salary ranges include an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

Minimum Qualifications

education:

• Undergraduate: Current enrollment in an accredited college or university in an undergraduate program. Must be enrolled throughout the duration of the internship.
• Graduate: Completion of a bachelor’s degree and current enrollment in a master’s degree program from an accredited college or university. Must be enrolled throughout the duration of the internship.

Experience: None. Enrollment in majors focused on Communications, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, Sociology, and other related programs are preferred, though all interested students are encouraged to apply.

Licenses & Certificates: Possession of a valid driver’s license authorizing the operation of a motor vehicle in the State of California.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

• Communication Skills – Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.
• Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
• Multi-Tasking – Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).
• Problem Solving – Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.
• Reliability – Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.
• Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills – Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Selection Process: 

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant’s training and experience based on the Application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews. First round interviews are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, June 10th, 2026.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Ernesto Zamaguey at Ernesto.Zamaguey@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility:  Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.  

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.  

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application.  If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided.  IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application. 

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.