Search Jobs

About the Position: The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) seeks a Public Affairs Intern to assist with a variety of tasks, including researching and writing for Midpen print and digital publications, creating web and social media content, representing Midpen at community events, working with community partner organizations, managing photo databases, drafting media advisories and press releases and other duties as assigned. This internship will provide valuable training in public affairs strategies and activities. This position reports to the Public Affairs Specialist leading media relations, with additional assignments from other communications project/program leads. The expected start date for this position is March 2026.

About Midpen: Midpen helps plants, animals and people thrive throughout the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region by preserving a greenbelt of more than 70,000 acres of public open space with 250 miles of trails in 27 extraordinary preserves, permanently protected for natural resource conservation and ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Midpen is a public agency with a focused mission that guides our work, and where every employee makes an impact. If you are looking for an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the legacy of open space protection, natural resource restoration and outdoor recreation, working with an incredible team of like-minded colleagues, we invite you to apply for this position! For more information please visit our Intern Program Brochure on our Employment Opportunities page.

Basic Requirements: Internships are open to applications from current students or recent graduates (within the last 12 months). Successful candidates will have a background in public affairs, communications, public relations, marketing, policy and government, journalism, community relations, customer service or a similar field. Candidates who also have experience, knowledge of or an interest in natural history and sciences, environmental studies, parks and open space or interpretation would benefit from this internship. Experience with social media platforms and tools, website content management systems, event management and email marketing platforms are a plus. Possession of a valid California driver’s license is required. 

 Working Conditions/Schedule: The Public Affairs Intern will work at Midpen’s Administrative Office in Los Altos, CA.  Midpen offers a hybrid work environment for this position, and will be divided between on-site work at the Administrative Office in Los Altos, at-home office work and some outdoor work. Candidates should expect to work from the office a minimum of 2 days each week. This position will be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed for in-person special events. The intern will be required to work the weekends of April 18 & 19, April 25 & 26, May 2 & 3 and June 6 & 7. This is a temporary position working 20 – 40 hours per week, which will extend up to a total of 950 hours over a 6-9 month period. This is a non-benefited position.

 Ready to apply? Great! We welcome your application online at CalOpps.org. (To avoid missing email communication regarding your status in this recruitment, please add mpropenspace@calopps.org to your contacts or list of safe senders)

 Application deadline is Sunday, December 28, 2025. Applicants with the most relevant experience and qualifications suitable for the position will be contacted for an interview.

The following application items are required to be considered*:

1. Fully completed CalOpps employment application
2. Cover letter
3. Resume
4. Supplemental question responses

*Incomplete CalOpps employment applications, or applications without the required application items listed here, will not be considered for the position.

Virtual Interviews are planned for Thursday, January 15, 2026. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate individual schedules.

At Midpen, we believe open space is for all. Our public lands are shared spaces provided for the community by the community. All people, regardless of background, deserve respect, dignity, safety, and a sense of belonging. Midpen welcomes all people to enjoy the public open space preserves we hold in trust, supporting the mental, physical, and social well-being of our region.

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the Human Resources department at 650-691-1200. Put your passion for Open Space to work!

San Mateo County Parks (SMCP) is currently seeking a full-time extra help Bilingual Community Engagement Intern II.

This position would be based out of Flood and Friendship County Parks and primarily working with the communities surrounding these parks. 

Friendship County Park is located in North Fair Oaks, an unincorporated area of Redwood City. Through community collaboration, the small urban park was developed to provide outdoor recreation facilities and space to promote community gardening. The park is situated on San Francisco Public Utility Commission land and is managed by SMCP. Less than an acre in size, the park features 30 community garden planters, a playground, picnic tables and more. Plot use is through an agreement with SMCP and requires regular participation in meetings. 

Flood County Park is a 21-acre park located in Menlo Park. It is primarily used as a location for family and group picnicking, playground use, and walking by the local community. The park has recently opened a new multi-use sports field, tennis/pickleball court, pump track and more! 

An intern at these locations would work on improving the interpretive elements of each park and provide programming and outreach opportunities for the local communities.

The Bilingual Community Engagement intern will report to Flood Park and be able to drive to Friendship Park and other park locations as needed. The intern will be supervised by the Interpretive Division Park Staff. 

Tentative schedule for this position (subject to change):

• Tuesday – Saturday: 8 hours each day
• 1 – 2 In person workdays
• 2 Virtual workdays (work from home)
• 1 Day for Events/Programming

Examples Of Duties:

A Bilingual Community Engagement Intern would be responsible for:

1. Management of Friendship Park Community Garden, including but not limited to:
   1. Managing garden plot availability and agreements
   2. Being the primary point of contact for Community Garden participants; maintaining regular communications by County phone, text, and email
   3. Working alongside gardeners to identify and address any needs or challenges in maintaining garden beds
   4. Facilitating monthly on-site educational opportunities for gardeners with staff from San Mateo County Health, Sustainability Department, and community partners
   5. Managing on-site garden tools and supplies; identify additional supplies that may be required
2. Community Program Coordination and Outreach, including but not limited to: 
   1. Coordinating and leading programs with Community Based Organizations and Partner Organizations within the community near Friendship and Flood Parks (i.e. Libraries, Schools)
   2. Leading interpretive programs at Friendship and Flood Parks 
   3. Tabling at local community events, such as Farmer’s Markets
   4. Providing translation when needed at programs and events throughout SMCP
   5. Assisting Interpretive Division with educational outreach throughout SMCP
   6. Creating flyers and social media posts to promote SMCP

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will: 

• Have strong interpersonal skills and possess the ability to effectively communicate in English and Spanish with diverse community members and San Mateo County staff to support gardeners. 
• Be an enthusiastic, outgoing, positive, and energetic person who can work collaboratively or independently with little to no supervision. 
• Be open to learning new skills, be flexible with various work projects, and be able to follow directions. 

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Bilingual in Spanish required
• Experience in food growing and garden management desired
• Knowledge of and ability to teach gardening concepts desired
• Ability to engage with individuals of many demographics and histories – youth, seniors, immigrants, economically diverse
• Strong planning and organizational skills with ability to plan programs and events and organize participants and volunteers
• Must have a valid California Driver’s License and transportation available to commute to park sites throughout San Mateo County

This is a full-time position requiring weekend work. 

NOTE: This is an extra-help, at-will assignment, paid on an hourly basis. Some extra help positions are eligible for benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Extra help employees are not guaranteed permanent status at the end of the assignment.

Application/Examination:

*Please note that there are no housing facilities for interns. You are responsible for your own housing, transportation, and meals.
 
How to apply:
 Please submit an online application with a copy of your resume and cover letter attached to the application.
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply Online" button above or below. If you are not on the County's website, please go to http://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. 
 
Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and selections may be made at any time within the process.
 
Contact
 For questions about this internship, please contact Katherine Wright at kewright@smcgov.org . For questions/comments/issues relating to the application process and material submissions, please contact Chaten Berry at cberry@smcgov.org .
 
 About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.
 
 The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

The Public Works Department is responsible for operating, maintaining, and improving the City’s public infrastructure – streets, water, storm, public buildings, the City’s fleet, trees, parks, and traffic signals. The Department also reviews plans and inspects construction of public improvements to serve private residential and commercial development and plans the capital and operating budgets.

The Department is seeking to hire engineering and public administration interns to provide support for several programs as described below: