The summer internship program with our engineering, architecture, landscape architecture and construction management bureaus is for currently-enrolled college students and offers an opportunity to gain valuable experience.
Our Organization
San Francisco Public Works has a far-reaching portfolio with a $470 million annual operating budget, an active capital portfolio that exceeds $3 billion and a workforce of 1,700-plus employees. The department operates around the clock, touching every neighborhood in San Francisco. The staff designs and manages the construction of civic buildings and streets; cleans and greens the right of way; maintains civic buildings; manages multi-million-dollar bond programs; trains people for jobs; keeps the right of way free of hazards; paves the roads; repairs bridges and public stairways; expands accessibility; and works at the forefront addressing some of San Francisco’s biggest challenges. With a mission to enhance the quality of life in San Francisco for residents, visitors and business owners, Public Works is committed to providing outstanding public service through an equity lens.
Check out our portfolio.
Architecture and Landscape Architecture
The Bureau of Architecture (BOA) is organized around five main studios, centered around our city agencies. Each studio will be focused on project building types based on these agencies such as healthcare, fire houses, public safety buildings, recreation & parks, interiors, transportation, public utilities, libraries, homeless shelters, and performing arts. The fact that we have a variety of building types and our work is within the city & county of San Francisco, makes internship a unique experience. As a learning lab, our interns not only get to work on all building types, they also get to be in the field and observe construction, something not often found in architectural internships. BOA’s interns will support our office’s full range of professional services, including programming, master planning, site planning, conceptual design, detailed design, contract documents, and construction administration. Our staff works closely with our city agency departments and community groups to create buildings and spaces that are responsive to the building program, respect the urban context and reflect the uniqueness of San Francisco neighborhoods. Studios are not siloed and allow staff movement across sections to foster cross-fertilization of ideas and sharing of skill sets based on project needs. We can draw upon inter-disciplinary expertise through close collaboration with Public Works engineers and landscape architects, allowing for an integrated design process and a culture of excellence. Creating and Maintaining Beautiful, Highly Functional, Sustainable Facilities is a key strategic goal for San Francisco Public Works.
The Bureau of Landscape Architecture is responsible for providing planning and design services to agencies and departments responsible for the development of the City’s rights of way, parks, playgrounds, plazas, green infrastructure, and open spaces. Interns will assist with production drawings, 3D modeling, renderings, community presentations, and construction administration for a wide variety of public open space projects.
Construction Management
The Bureau of Construction Management provides services to manage and inspect construction contracts performed by private contractors hired by the City & County of San Francisco. The Bureau serves the citizens of San Francisco by ensuring that public improvements will be performed safely, efficiently, and in a timely manner. The standards of care are the same whether the Bureau manages the construction of infrastructure or new construction and renovations of facilities. The Bureau enforces contract and permit requirements, interprets plans and specifications, coordinates construction activities, and resolves field issues. Projects include roadway and utility improvements, traffic signalizations systems, bridge retrofits, wastewater facilities retrofits and upgrades, fire stations, police stations, hospitals, laboratories, schools, libraries, City administration buildings and offices, recreation centers, parks, and playgrounds. The Bureau of Construction Management engineers and inspectors make certain all contractors adhere to applicable codes and regulations. As an agency that interacts with various government departments, the Bureau’s engineers, and inspectors are committed to customer service, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Engineering
The Bureau of Engineering interns in the following five sections will support engineers in providing a full range of professional services, including program and master planning, engineering analysis and studies, conceptual and detailed design for construction, replacement, and improvements of right-of-way infrastructure projects (roadways, water distribution and wastewater collection system, emergency fire protection system, traffic signals and streetlighting, bridges, retaining walls and tunnels); upgrade and renovation of public buildings (hospitals, schools, laboratories, libraries, recreation centers, parking garages, City administration buildings and offices, and police and fire stations) and public facilities (pump stations, water and wastewater treatment facilities and open space projects).
- Hydraulic Engineering: Analyze the City's wastewater collection system and develop recommendations to improve system performance, reliability, and regulatory compliance; perform hydraulic and capacity analyses to support capital improvement planning; prepare designs for the replacement, rehabilitation, and improvement of sewer infrastructure; support green infrastructure initiatives that enhance stormwater management and water quality; evaluate and develop solutions to address sea level rise and improve flood resilience; review development and capital projects for compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and design standards; and provide technical support during the design, construction, and operation of wastewater collection and stormwater facilities.
- Mechanical Engineering: Design for construction, renovation, and maintenance of mechanical systems (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Fire Protection Systems) for public buildings and facilities; optimization of complex mechanical processes and systems for industrial water and wastewater pump stations, treatment, and processing facilities; and replacement of irrigation and emergency firefighting water systems.
- Structural Engineering: Provide structural and geotechnical engineering design and construction administration services for construction and improvements of public buildings, industrial and infrastructure facilities, and roadway structures. Work includes structural evaluations, assessments, and feasibility studies; seismic risk analyses; seismic rehabilitation and strengthening; subsurface investigations and ground improvement; earthquake ground motion and geologic hazard studies; foundation design and earth retaining structures and hillside stability inspection and mitigation.
- Electrical Engineering: Provide electrical studies and designs for low and medium voltage power distribution systems, emergency power system, lighting and lighting control, life safety, security, data and process instrumentation and control systems for water and wastewater pump stations and treatment plant facilities, public buildings and facilities, and for upgrade of traffic signal and streetlight infrastructure.
- Streets & Highways: Provides engineering services for roadway pavement renovation, preservation, and reconstruction; streetscape, pedestrian, and accessibility improvement projects for approximately 500 city blocks per year that includes 700 curb ramps for the disabled community.
Project Controls
The Project Controls and Services Section provides specialized services, such as materials testing, contract preparation, site remediation, and contract management, with a focus on buildings, infrastructure, institutional, and transportation projects.
Project Management
Interns in the Bureau of Project Management support project managers across a diverse range of capital projects, gaining hands-on experience in project planning, coordination, and delivery. Interns will work alongside project managers to help plan, organize, and track complex public projects from early planning and design through construction and closeout.
The Bureau oversees a diverse portfolio of capital projects involving public buildings, public facilities, and right‑of‑way infrastructure. Project Management guides each project through all phases—planning, design, construction, and closeout—to ensure timely delivery, budget compliance, and high‑quality results. Through this comprehensive approach, the Bureau helps maintain and improve the city’s infrastructure while supporting the creation of safe, functional, and resilient public spaces.
Permits and Survey & Mapping
Public Works manages the public right-of-way throughout the City. This includes both the street and sidewalks, as well as some alleyways and public stairways. Interns will support engineers in the review of permits, inspections, and subdivision mapping.
- Public Works Permits issues about 35,000 permits per year, which can be grouped into two different categories: Construction (or Engineering-related) and Commercial.
- Survey & Mapping is led by our County Surveyor. It is composed of two different groups: Land Surveying and Subdivision & Mapping. The land surveying group handles surveys for almost all capital projects performed by city departments. In contrast, the Subdivision & Mapping group reviews and approves subdivision maps, condo conversions, lot mergers, plats, legals, street vacations and street renaming.
