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CITY OF SARATOGA, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT • INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

1 Position  •  $25.00/hour  •  Up to 12 Weeks  •  Flexible Start Date  •  Summer 2026

This internship is offered as part of a Regional Internship Partnership designed to introduce current students and recent college graduates to local municipal government. The City of Saratoga participates in this program with the goal of connecting a diverse student population to public sector work, providing meaningful hands-on experience that supports both personal and professional growth.

Position Description

The Community Development Department has one part-time, paid summer internship opportunity in its Development Services Division (up to 20 hours per week). The selected intern will gain hands-on experience in municipal arboriculture, working alongside City staff on a range of tasks that support the protection and management of Saratoga’s urban tree canopy. The internship runs for up to 12 weeks, and the start and end dates can be arranged around the selected candidate’s college summer break schedule.

The workload will balance supporting day-to-day operations with exposure to longer-term planning and research projects. The intern will receive assignments and work direction from staff within the department.

Tree Permit Applications and Development Review. The intern will assist staff in the processing of tree permit applications and the review of development projects. This includes evaluating applications for consistency with the City’s tree regulations and tracking project status through the review process.

Field Inspections and Plan Review. The intern will participate in field inspections to assess potential construction impacts on trees. Work will include reviewing grading and site plans, identifying tree protection measures, and documenting field conditions.

Research and Ordinance Work. The intern will support research related to the City’s tree ordinance and fire preparedness initiatives. This may include reviewing comparable ordinances from neighboring jurisdictions, summarizing research findings, and supporting the City’s ordinance update process.

Tree Identification and Health Assessment. The intern will learn to identify tree species commonly found in Saratoga and develop familiarity with common pests, diseases, and abiotic factors that affect tree health. This knowledge will be applied during field work and permit review.

Tree Appraisal. The intern will be introduced to the basics of tree appraisal methodology, including an overview of how trees are valued in the context of permit applications and development projects.

Database Maintenance. The intern will assist with the maintenance of department databases and records related to tree permits, inspections, and urban forestry data.

Community Interaction. The intern will have the opportunity to interact directly with Saratoga residents and contractors, developing professional communication skills in a public service context.

Read more about the City of Saratoga's tree program here.

The City of San Mateo Public Works Department is seeking a Senior Transportation Planner 

The Department

The Public Works Department is organized into several divisions, including Administration, Business Services, Wastewater Treatment, Clean Water Program, Fleet and Facilities, Data Management, Field Maintenance, Regulatory Compliance, Capital Improvements, Development Services, and Transportation. The Department operates under a Director and two Deputy Directors to support strong coordination and performance. The Department is responsible for the City’s major capital projects and infrastructure including streets, streetlights, traffic signals, parking lots and garages, sewer and storm conveyance systems, a wastewater treatment plant, pump stations, a lagoon, dams, and levees. 

The Department plays a central role in advancing a safe, connected, and efficient transportation network for all users. San Mateo is a regional leader in transportation, with a strong track record of securing grant funding for major corridor improvements, including along 19th Avenue/Fashion Island Boulevard and Peninsula Avenue. To learn more about the City’s transportation safety efforts, visit our website at https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/4727/Transportation-Safety.  

The Department is committed to high performance and continuous improvement, using data-driven decision-making, best practices, and collaborative, team-oriented approaches. Managers and supervisors are accountable for developing strong teams, supporting employee growth, and delivering on the Department’s goals and work plans. 

Look to some of the reasons why the City of San Mateo is a great place to work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GTIzeSpc_g. 

The Position 

The Senior Transportation Planner under general direction, organizes, reviews, and participates in transportation planning work; supervises the work of professional and technical transportation planning personnel, projects, and other activities; and performs other related work as required 

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Supervises professional and technical staff, including prioritizing and assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, training staff, and supporting hiring decisions in consultation with the Engineering Manager, Deputy Director, and Department Head. 

• Represents the City and department in communications and interactions, including coordination, briefings, and presentations, with other City departments, City Commissions and City Council, government agencies, local industries, businesses, community groups, and other stakeholders interested in regional and local transportation, transit, traffic, and parking issues. 

• Plans, coordinates, formulates, and implements, in coordination with other City departments, goals, objectives, policies and priorities; and makes recommendations for changes to codes, plans and policies, as it relates to transportation planning and parking management. 

• Directs, coordinates, reviews, and participates in the work of professional, technical, and clerical staff, as well as consultants, in data collection, analysis, plan and policy formulation, and implementation of a wide variety of projects. 

• Participates in and provides technical expertise in transportation demand management and traffic forecasting including the formulation of a City-wide traffic model and the maintenance and update thereof. 

• Manages administration of the City’s parking permit programs, oversees the collection, control, and reconciliation of parking revenues, assists in the preparation and administration of the parking program operating budget, monitors expenses, and prudently allocates resources to support parking program operations and objectives. 

• Assists, contributes and manages the planning, design, and construction of capital projects including preparation of purchase requisitions, requests for proposals, development of the scope of work, professional service agreements and coordination with other City departments as appropriate. 

• Reviews planning applications and building permits in relation to transportation and parking related issues, including review of traffic impact analyses, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) analyses, and other related transportation studies. 

• Attend in-person meetings, site visits, and stakeholder engagements, often with minimal notice; respond promptly to urgent requests requiring physical presence at various locations throughout the region or state; transport necessary materials, documents, and equipment for meetings, presentations, or fieldwork. 

• Supports the review, update, maintenance of transportation-related impact fees. 

• Supports the drafting of submittals for grant funding from various local, state, and federal funding sources. 

• And other duties as assigned. 

This position receives oversight and general direction from the Engineering Manager or other higher departmental management personnel and may exercise direct supervision over professional, technical, and administrative personnel. 

For a complete list of duties, reference our job specifications at https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/DocumentCenter/Home/Index/86c 

Under the supervision of the Fire Marshal, is responsible for performing plan review, inspections, and other duties as required.  The position will also be involved to varying degrees with public education, public relations, exterior hazard abatement, engine company pre-fire planning, record keeping, and report writing.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Receives supervision from the Fire Marshal. There may be limited supervisory tasks assigned to this classification.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
This position is responsible for the review of plans, to ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local fire safety laws, ordinances, and codes.  Although not all inclusive, the following serve to represent the various types of plans to be reviewed: planning applications; applications for the subdivision of land; site plans for access and water supply; building and tenant improvement plans; fire protection systems including fire sprinkler, fire alarm, kitchen hood extinguishing systems; and other types of plan reviews that are part of various fire code permitted activities.  

Other duties include attending meetings with other local government agencies such as planning and building departments, architects, contractors, developers, and the general public.  Utilizes the District’s citation process when appropriate and when other means of gaining voluntary compliance are unsuccessful. This position is responsible for conducting in-house training and updating of field inspection staff members on changes occurring in codes enforced by the District.  This position is also responsible for the formulation of standardized field inspection guidelines and record keeping systems for construction projects. Provides supervision, work direction, and technical assistance as directed. Participates in the code change process at the state and international levels. Utilizes tools and technology identified by the District related to performance of tasks. Supports emergency operations as requested and appropriate.

The position is responsible for performing inspections of both new and existing buildings; witnessing various tests required for sophisticated fire protection equipment and verifying proper operation and compliance with applicable codes and standards; prepares necessary correspondence, reports, and records; with regards to projects, confers with architects, engineers, developers, etc.; attends training courses and meetings of professional organizations as directed; performs surveys of fire hazards and processes complaints; conducts and participates in public education and public relations programs; performs other related duties as directed.