What is the purpose of this program?

The Summer Student Intern Program is designed to provide students an opportunity to spend a summer working side-by-side with engineers in various departments within the City and County of San Francisco.

Where are these opportunities located?

The internships are mostly located in downtown San Francisco. However, there are opportunities at the San Francisco International Airport, Millbrae, Burlingame and Sunol.

Is this a paid internship?

Yes, selected students receive a salary that is based on their education level and experience. For current salary information click here.

Does the City and County of San Francisco provide housing?

No, trainees in this program are responsible for obtaining their own housing.

What are the start and end dates for the program?

Start and end dates are negotiated by the applicant and the hiring manager who selected him/her as an intern. Students selected for the program usually begin work between mid-May and the end of June. The minimum time commitment is eight weeks, 40 hours a week.

Can I apply if I am not a citizen of the United States?

You are only eligible to apply to this program if you are a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.

Are there any eligibility criteria in addition to citizenship?

Yes, the applicant must be in a Engineering · Architecture · Landscape Architecture · Planning · Surveying · IT/GIS Program or related field at a Junior College or University.

Is the summer program limited to specific majors?

No, however, most summer positions are in Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning, Surveying and Information Technology and Geographic Information System. You should have successfully completed one year in one or all of these areas.

Is there a minimum GPA to participate in this program?

No.

Is there a minimum age requirement to participate in this program?

No.

Are students who are U.S. citizens attending foreign institutions eligible to apply?

Applications from students who are U.S. citizens attending institutions in foreign countries will be considered.

Is there a deadline for submission of applications?

Yes, all applications must be submitted and received by the deadline date. No applications will be accepted after that day.

When should I apply?

It is recommended that you apply as soon as possible after the application site becomes available, as acceptances are made on a rolling basis.

Can I submit a paper application?

No, only on-line applications will be accepted.

Is there a deadline for submitting Cover Letter, Resume and Transcripts?

Yes, all applications must be submitted and received by the deadline date. Failure to submit a copy of college transcripts with cover letter and resume may result in rejection of application. Submission date for college transcripts may be extended if it is impossible to obtain them by the deadline date. Applicants must submit a signed statement explaining why transcripts cannot be obtained by the deadline. Extension requests will be granted on a case-by-case basis. It is the applicant’s sole responsibility that all application materials and support documentation be received in a complete and legible form.

Do you accept unofficial transcripts?

Yes, copies and unofficial transcripts will be accepted but make sure your name and ID number are printed clearly and highlighted on the first page.
If transcripts are being emailed to sfintern@sfdpw.org please make sure your name and ID number included in the email.

Do I need to submit transcripts from all colleges/universities I have attended?

Yes, but make sure your name and ID number are printed clearly and highlighted on the first page.

If applying on-line, you may need to save your transcripts into one PDF file. To do this, you can use Adobe Acrobat to combine multiple files by going to File-Create PDF-From Multiple Files... If you are unable to do so, you may email them to sfintern@sfdpw.org and we will combine the files and insert it for you.

Can the school send my transcripts by mail?

Yes, but make sure your name and ID number (applies to on-line applications only) are printed clearly and highlighted on the first page. Copies and unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Submission date for college transcripts may be extended if it is impossible to obtain them by the deadline date. Applicants must submit a signed statement explaining why transcripts cannot be obtained by the deadline. Extension requests will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

If transcripts are being emailed to sfintern@sfdpw.org please make sure your name and ID number included in the email.

Do I need to submit my transcripts even though I entered by grades into the electronic application?

Yes, the grades that you enter into the electronic application are used for evaluation purposes.

Who ensures that all required documentation is received?

You are responsible for making certain that we receive your cover letter, resume and transcripts. You should login to make certain that the documentation have arrived and posted to you application.

To whom should I address my cover letter?

Since your cover letter can be read by any hiring manager in the Summer Student Intern program, you may wish to use the salutation "Dear Sir/Madam."

Should I list all the courses and grades that I have completed or only my engineering courses?

Please list all of your completed courses with grades, as well as the courses that you plan to complete by the end of the academic year.

May I apply to a specific Department?

Yes, if you already know the department(s) in which you wish to work (for example, if you are a returning student), you may select that specific department(s).

Is my application secure?

Yes. See the privacy statement on the first page of the application

If I am graduating from college this year and will not be continuing my education, can I still apply?

At the time of filing, the applicant must be in a Engineering · Architecture · Landscape Architecture · Planning · Surveying · IT/GIS Program or related field at a Junior College or University. An applicant can be employed up to six (6) months after graduation, otherwise, the applicant must be returning to their undergraduate program or entering into or returning to a graduate program in Fall 2008. You must be a US Citizen or have an alien registration (green) card, or a foreign student with legal work permit prior to filing of application. As a graduate in Engineering, you qualify for a position as a 5201 Junior Engineer. You can find more information about this position and others like it in the City and County of San Francisco by going to 5201 Junior Engineer. All jobs that are currently available in the City and County of San Francisco are listed at Employment Opportunities.

How are application reviewed?

Hiring manager has access to the database containing the electronic applications to this program. They can search for applicants with particular interest or specific GPA or who are enrolled at selected universities. Each hiring manager decides whom he/she will offer summer position to.

How will I be notified if I am selected?

There is no specific notification date for those who are selected. All candidates are notified regarding their application status by the middle of May, at the latest.

When will I hear if I am selected?

The hiring manager who has selected you or a departmental human resources representative will contact you by phone, e-mail, or letter.

How soon can I expect to hear that I am selected?

There is no definite answer to this question. You will be selected only if/when a hiring manager who has a position available visits the database and is impressed with your credentials.

There is no central selection committee for this program.

What are my chances of receiving a position in the Summer Student Intern Program?

Like many of the training programs, the Summer Student Intern Program is highly selective. Over the past several years, about 20% of applicants were selected for the program.

How can I update my application or check if my required documentation has been received?

After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. It will tell you how to access your application to make changes or to check to see if your letters have been submitted. You are responsible for verifying that your cover letter, current resume and current college transcripts have been submitted. Failure to submit your college transcripts, cover letter or resume may result in rejection of application.

Can I update my application from last year?

No. You will need to reapply and submit all new documentation each year.

Do I need to submit an official transcript even though I entered my grades into the electronic application system?

Yes, this is a required document. Applicant will be required to submit their official transcript from the school you are currently attending. Copies of transcripts will be accepted. The grades that you entered into the electronic application are for evaluation purposes only. In addition, you must be a US Citizen or have an alien registration (green) card, or a foreign student with legal work permit prior to filing of application.

If I have been accepted for graduate school for the Fall of 2008, should I apply to the Summer Student Trainee Program?

Yes, at the time of filing, the applicant must be attending an accredited Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning, Surveying and Information Technology/Geographic Information System University Program. In order for the applicant to be eligible, the applicant must be returning to their undergraduate program or entering into or returning a graduate program in Fall 2008.

If I am currently working as a Student Intern with the City and County of San Francisco, should I apply to the Summer Student Trainee Program?

No, if you will be continuing with the same department you need not re-apply. Please contact your department for any additional requirements.

If I am currently working as a Student Intern with the City and County of San Francisco but I would like to be considered for an internship position at another department, can I apply to the Summer Student Trainee Program?

Yes, you will need to apply because the applications of all new and returning students will be made available to the hiring managers of the participating City departments.