Student Intern Program, Summer 2027

About the Role

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department is seeking student interns for a year-long (or longer) part-time internship to support the Capital and Planning Division. This program offers on-the-job experience in planning, landscape architecture, engineering, and related disciplines, working with professional staff on various projects. The internship runs from Summer 2027 to Summer 2028 or longer.

Application Window

• Opening: November 6, 2026
• Closing: January 15, 2027

Compensation: $37.95 per hour.

Work Schedule

• Hybrid work environment.
• Interns must report to work in person in San Francisco a minimum of twice a week during the school year.
• Expected hours: 16-20 hours/week during the school year; up to 32 hours/week during school vacation periods.
• Hybrid schedules may be approved to align with class commitments, subject to departmental discretion.
• Interns are eligible to work part-time for 6 months post-graduation or after ceasing to take classes.

---

Internship Focus Areas

1. Planning Unit

• Focuses on the future of open spaces, park improvements, development, acquisitions, and land use issues.
• Engages in environmental compliance, land use planning, urban design, code enforcement, historic preservation, park improvement plans, acquisitions, grant writing, transportation demand management, and public outreach.
• The unit comprises six planners, an analyst, and three interns.

Planning Intern Roles & Responsibilities

• Perform site review, research, data analysis, and prepare reports related to property acquisition, park improvement projects, and natural resources.
• Prepare maps and graphic materials using ArcGIS software and the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Prepare presentations and staff reports for citizen advisory groups and the Recreation and Park Commission.
• Assist project managers at community meetings and conduct user intercept surveys.
• Analyze existing and proposed open spaces and population growth impacts.
• Assist in the review, analysis, and preparation of Environmental Review documents, including California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reviews and SF Planning Dept Certificates of Appropriateness (CoA).
• Evaluate shadow impact studies for Proposition K ("Sunlight Ordinance") analysis and prepare reports with recommendations.
• Assist in grant applications through grant writing, policy and environmental sciences research, and graphics preparation.
• Monitor and update capital project schedules in Airtable and other software.
• Provide basic administrative support: filing, ordering supplies, receiving mail, data entry, word processing, creating spreadsheets.

2. Project Management Team (Capital Division)

• Responsible for delivering renovations and new construction of recreational facilities.
• Current projects include renovations of recreation centers, clubhouses, restrooms, park landscape, playgrounds, adult fitness areas, natural area and trail construction, restoration of historic park sites, and master planning for future improvements.
• Projects are funded through bonds, Open Space Fund, grants, and donations.
• The team consists of 13 project managers, two assistant project managers, and one intern.

Project Management Intern Roles & Responsibilities

• Research historical park documents for improvement projects.
• Prepare informational and graphic material for community outreach, grant applications, and communications using Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and potentially computer-aided design software such as AutoCAD or Revit to develop site maps, plans, and visualizations.
• Support community meetings: printing materials, taking notes, analyzing survey results, preparing reports.
• Photograph site conditions at various park locations and organize project photos.
• Provide basic administrative support: filing, ordering supplies, receiving mail, data entry, word processing, creating spreadsheets.
• Post notices related to projects on-site at various locations in SF.
• Support regulatory and building permitting.

---

Requirements & Tech Stack

Minimum Qualifications

• Enrollment in an accredited university or community college in one of the following fields:
• Architecture
• Engineering (Architectural, Civil, Environmental, Structural, Transportation and Water Resources Engineering)
• Geography
• Planning or Urban Planning
• Project Management
• Landscape Architecture
• Environmental Design
• Sustainability
• Environmental Studies
• Public Policy
• Must be returning to an undergraduate program or entering/continuing a graduate program in Fall 2027.
• Students in their second-to-last or last semester are encouraged to apply.
• Willingness to learn planning, architectural, and engineering practices.
• Prepared to receive on-the-job training to apply professional standards and develop skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Planning Intern: Current graduate student in an Urban Planning, Geography, or similar graduate program with at least one year of coursework remaining.
• Project Management Intern: Current graduate student in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, or an architecture/landscape architecture related field (e.g., Environmental Design, Sustainability) with at least one year of coursework remaining.

Desirable Qualifications

• Highly organized and detailed-oriented.
• Willing to assist in preparing plans and compiling technical/statistical data.
• Willing to learn or able to prepare/assist in preparing studies, calculations, designs, drawings, sketches, and plans using computer-aided design software like AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino or other software tools.
• Ability to assist in preparing maps, charts, photographs, and graphic presentations.
• Experience reviewing permit and planning applications, construction plans, and supporting documentation for accuracy and conformance.
• Ability to enter application data into a database and tracking system.
• Critical thinking skills and ability to recommend improvements.
• Comfortable using professional judgment to provide architectural, engineering, and planning knowledge.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently, and open to feedback.
• Comfortable with research and formulating potential solutions.
• Previous work experience and working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word).
• Previous work experience and working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite programs (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop).
• Project Management Intern Candidates: Previous experience with computer-aided design software like AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, or other software tools, and PDF programs such as Adobe Acrobat or Bluebeam Revu.
• Planning Intern Candidates: Previous experience with ArcGIS.

---

Application Requirements

• Apply using SmartRecruiters.
• Required Attachments:
• Proof of community college, undergraduate, or graduate school education (transcript, diploma, class schedule, or current enrollment document). Extensions for transcript submission may be possible.
• Cover letter (PDF, 1 page) indicating interest in Planning and/or Project Management, and career goals. Clearly state which internship you are applying for; applying for both is permitted if qualified.
• Project Management Candidates Only: Portfolio highlighting relevant school or work experience.

Important Notes

• The recruitment may close at any time, but no earlier than Friday, January 15, 2027. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
• Invitations to interview: Tentatively February 1-5, 2027.
• Interviews: Tentatively February 15-26, 2027.
• Selected candidates notified: Tentatively March 1-19, 2027.
• Verification of qualifying education and experience may be required at any point.
• This role is exempt from San Francisco Civil Service Rules and is subject to budgetary constraints.
• Ensure your email address on the application is accurate and accessible; set up your email to accept mail from @smartrecruiters.com to avoid spam filters.
• Retain your application submission confirmation email.