Description
Join an agency committed to creating a healthy breathing environment for every Bay Area resident while protecting and improving public health, air quality, and the global climate!
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) is a regional government agency, committed to achieving clean air to protect the public's health and the environment. The Air District accomplishes this goal through regulation of industrial facilities and various outreach and incentive programs designed to encourage clean air choices.
The Air District's jurisdiction encompasses all of seven counties - Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Napa, and portions of two others - southwestern Solano and southern Sonoma.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
At the Air District, we take pride in our commitment to fostering a workplace that values diversity and promotes cultural awareness. We prioritize employee engagement by providing a collaborative and inclusive environment that encourages active participation and open dialogue. Join us in a dynamic and inclusive culture where your contributions are celebrated, and your growth is nurtured.
Environmental Justice: At the Air District, environmental justice is at the heart of our mission to create equitable, sustainable communities. Our college internship program provides aspiring leaders with the tools, knowledge, and real-world experience to support initiatives that improve air quality and build capacity in underserved communities. Together, we can make environmental justice a reality.
A few of our environmental justice priorities:
Provide Meaningful Agency Support to Advance Environmental Justice
Integrate Environmental Justice Considerations in Core Functions
Implement Environmental Justice Best Practices and Innovation
Communicate with Clarity, Transparency, and Integrity
Grow Capacity of Environmental Justice Communities and Organizations
This is a temporary training position.
Interns may perform work that is directly related to their academic field or in their selected Division/Office.
The District is currently accepting applications for the position of Intern in the following Divisions/Offices:
Administrative Resources
The Business Office within the Administrative Resources Division oversees the Air District’s business services programs, including procurement, contracting, and mailroom operation. The Procurement section of the Business Office liaises with internal stakeholders, our Legal Office, and the vendor community at large to provide the necessary goods and services to the Air District, enabling seamless service to our community.
The Business Office, Procurement Intern will provide the Business Office with support related to the Air District’s procurement processes. Working with the respective leads and their supervisor, the intern will have the opportunity to learn about public sector procurement, procurement technologies, and vendor management.In addition to providing general Procurement administrative and program support, the intern will work on several projects relating to the following activities:
Procurement Policy and Procedures
New eProcurement Application
Vendor Outreach and Diversity
Procurement Planning
Examples of Duties (Illustrative only): Procurement Policy and Procedures
Develop technical writing skills while updating procurement procedures to provide clarity and/or modifications where business processes or regulations have changed.
New eProcurement Application
Learn a new eProcurement application.
Assist with contract data validation, conversion, and compliance review.
Coordinate product rollout meetings with project leads.
Communicate with the vendor community.
Provide training and guidance to internal stakeholders.
Vendor Outreach and Diversity
Assist with a strategic plan initiative by enhancing the Air District’s vendor diversity program.
Procurement Planning
Communications
The Communications Intern will assist with the development of innovative communication strategies for the Air District. The primary job responsibility of the intern is to use best practices for digital communications to engage interested Bay Area residents and organizations in Air District projects and programs. This position will assist with developing social media content, assist with facilitating Air District presence at Bay Area events and be responsible for day-to-day administrative work of the Communications Office. The intern will also work on the Spare the Air program, attend staff meetings and will participate in video and social media projects.
Examples of Duties (Illustrative only):
Assist with updating and maintaining the Air District’s social media presence, including scheduling social media updates.
Assist in planning and writing e-newsletters.
Assist with media events.
Assist with the design of flyers, graphics and other marketing materials to highlight various Air District programs.
Collaborate with staff on new ideas, directions, and venues for marketing and communications.
Provides support for projects related to air quality by conducting research, reviewing policies or regulations, collecting and analyzing data and preparing documentation.
Contacts public agencies, professional organizations, industry representatives, community groups and District staff to obtain or impart information and data.
Participates in various public events or meetings.
Responds by telephone and in writing to assignment-related inquiries from the public, industry representatives and District staff.
Attend community events, media press conferences and meetings, as needed.
Assist with contract oversight and create tracking spreadsheets.
Assists with routine tasks related to the work.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Office leads the Air District’s effort to develop and sustain an inclusive and supportive workforce where every employee is respected, valued and appreciated. The vision and guiding principles of the Office involve the Air District's commitment to:
Valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion at the agency and throughout the Bay Area.
Using diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of: decision-making strategies, policies, procedures, regulations, funding initiatives, public outreach, planning, and hiring.
A zero tolerance of all forms of discrimination and harassment.
Workplace and programmatic practices that exemplify these principles.
We are seeking a motivated DEI Intern to support the DEI Office in advancing key initiatives focused on environmental justice scholarship and fellowship, mentorship program, and inclusive workplace practices. This internship offers hands-on experience in implementing DEI programs while developing professional skills in program coordination, research, and stakeholder engagement.
Examples of Duties (Illustrative Only):
Assist in researching best practices and benchmarking environmental justice scholarship and fellowship programs, including analyzing existing successful models and identifying potential program structures
Support the coordination and documentation of employee resource group activities, including helping organize meetings, maintaining communication materials, and tracking engagement metrics
Provide operational support for our established mentorship program, including tracking participant engagement, coordinating check-ins, gathering program feedback, and assisting with program activities
Help compile and analyze diversity metrics and trends in hiring and promotion processes, creating clear data visualizations and summary reports
Provide administrative and logistical support for DEI events, workshops, and program activities
Assist in developing communication materials to promote DEI initiatives across the organization
Engineering
The Engineering division is seeking a student with an engineering major for an exciting summer opportunity! The Air Quality Engineering Intern will provide support for special engineering studies related to: air quality permits, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, and facility health risks assessments. Interns will apply their academic studies to a practical setting and learn how the Air District's Engineering Division regulates air polluting facilities within the Bay Area primarily through the Air District's permit programs (New Source Review and Title V Major Facility), which require facilities to comply with air pollution laws and regulations.
Examples of Duties (Illustrative only):
Work with engineering staff on development of technical Permit Handbook chapters for source categories.
Participate in engineering studies such as emissions factor development, Best Available Control Technology/emissions control technology research.
Assist engineering staff with review and handling of CEQA review for permits
Assist engineering staff with Rule 11-18 support tasks (e.g., data review, databank queries, etc.).
Write technical reports as assigned.
Participate in field visits to permitted facilities.
Participate in workshops, public meetings, hearings related to Air District permitting.
Participate in training opportunities, such as, online training courses offered by the California Air Resources Board and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Human Resources/Finance Office
The HR/Finance Office Intern will learn about the operations of the Human Resources Office and Finance Office and will engage in assignments across various HR/Finance program areas. The intern will have the opportunity to shadow experienced staff, receive hands-on training, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In addition to providing general HR/Finance administrative and program support, the intern will work on several projects relating to the following activities:
Digitization of HR Files
Employee growth and development
HR process improvements
Employee Viewpoint Survey
Learning Management System (LMS) record audit
Internship and mentoring program enhancement
Audit Documentation
JDE Invoice Clean Up
Financial Analysis
Examples of Duties (Illustrative only):
HR process and program improvements
Review and recommend improvements to orientation programs
Research and make recommendations for on and off-boarding processes
Enhance our exit interview process
Research and present options for a "stay-interview" program
Digitization of HR Files
Assist staff in digitizing paper files
Organizes electronic records into a user-friendly system
Assist staff in developing document retention policies, procedures, and workflows
Employee growth and development
Audit training records in the Learning Management System (LMS); identify inactive and non-compliant records
Assist with trainings
Assist with development and rollout of an employee recognition program
Employee Viewpoint Survey
Review and analyze survey data; identify themes and trends
Provide a summary of findings
Assist staff in developing strategies and recommendations to enhance employee engagement and in areas requiring improvement as a result of the survey
Internship and Mentoring Programs
Assist in administering and coordinating sessions and activities for the internship program
Assist in identifying strategies to refine the internship program with Diversity, Equity and Inclusive (DEI) lens
Assist with mentoring program activities and data collection
Audit Documentation
Assist with gathering financial records organization of grant files
Assist with gathering financial records for interim financial audit
JDE Invoice Clean up
Assist with accounts receivable aging report clean up
Follow up with other divisions on outstanding payments/refunds
Budget/Financial AnalysisCompare financial data for large variations and differences
Provide a summary report on findings
Assist with day-to-day HR/Finance operations including record keeping, file maintenance, and processing paperwork.
Assist with assignments for various HR initiatives around compliance, performance management, employee development.
Assist with general administrative recruitment operations using the applicant tracking system (NEOGOV).
Assist with maintaining the Human Resource Information System, including data clean up: updating and uploading employee information, deactivating retire/term employees and updating reporting structure.
Meteorology & Measurement - Air Monitoring Projects & Technology
The Air Monitoring Projects & Technology Intern will work on a couple of different projects supporting the Quality Assurance section of the Meteorology & Measurement Division. The primary project assigned to the Intern will be to analyze and map the Performance Evaluation Group user interface including identifying called procedures and table references.
Examples of Duties (Illustrative only):
Access the development version of PEG Microsoft Access database through both user interface and Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio during mapping process.
Write technical descriptions of actions performed and references used in user interface
Develop Microsoft Power Platform tools to assist in managing data not currently present in DMS
Perform related duties as assigned.
Major deliverables of this project include:
PEG Microsoft Access database map
Technical document that includes descriptions of user interface processes
Microsoft Power Platform tools to supplement DMS as requested by MQA manager
Meteorology & Measurement - Meteorology
The Meteorology Intern will work on a couple of different projects supporting the Meteorology section of the Meteorology & Measurement Division. The first project involves testing a new virtual machine to produce our forecasts, replacing our existing PC. The project will include making sure our existing forecast database (and other needed software) will work on the virtual machine and continue to have the ability to automatically send the air quality and burn forecasts to MyAir Online and AirNow. The second project will involve investigating the use of machine learning to develop new regression equations/models. The intern is not expected to complete this project but would be expected to help guide our future development of forecast-related guidance. For both projects, the intern will work with our Meteorologists and will learn how we develop Air Quality forecasts for the Air District. In addition, the intern will have the opportunity to learn what other divisions in the Air District work on and how the Air District works to protect the air we breathe.
Examples of Duties (Illustrative only):
Test existing software on a virtual computer.
Ensure forecast data transfer to interior and exterior websites.
Investigate the use machine learning to develop air quality forecast guidance products.
Learn about the Air District Air Quality forecast program.
Learn about work other divisions do at the Air District.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Planning- Climate Protection
The Climate Protection Planning Intern will actively participate in the development of policy and strategic approaches that center equity and environmental justice in climate, air pollution and public health solutions. Key projects the Intern will contribute to include the development of the first-ever Bay Area Regional Climate Action Plan (BARCAP), the equitable implementation of the Air District’s ground-breaking rules to limit emissions from space and water heaters, and delivery and dissemination of policy and strategic approaches through Planning and Climate Protection Division’s Local Government Support Program. The intern will be a fully immersed member of the teams working on these projects and will support these efforts through research, writing, participation in stakeholder meetings, internal coordination, internal and external communications, and creation of visually appealing professional work products. Subject matter may vary but will include building decarbonization, sustainable transportation, and fossil fuel-burning sources, with a focus on how activities in these areas can reduce our impact on climate change while improving the air quality and public health in low income communities of color overburdened by pollution.
Examples of Duties (Illustrative only):
Actively collaborate with internal and external stakeholders
Develop meeting agendas, take notes, summarize outcomes, and lead small team and working meetings
Independently research, investigate and document policies, approaches and best practices to reduce greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions and exposures
Draft policy documents such as model policies and best practices
Develop resources such as fact sheets, brochures, templates, checklists, resource guides
Present to small teams and work groups.
Summarize information in accessible deliverables, potentially including charts, figures, and maps (Google Maps or ArcGIS maps), story maps or other interactive or visually appealing products
Perform related duties as assigned.
Rules & Strategic Policy
The Rules and Strategic Policy Intern will provide support for various rule development work related to: research of regulatory programs and requirements, technical evaluations, and the development process for new air quality rules and rule amendments. Interns will apply their academic studies to a practical setting and learn how the Air District's Rules and Strategic Policy Division researches, evaluates, and develops new rules and rule amendments to further the Air District’s mission and improve air quality and public health.
Examples of Duties (Illustrative only):
Work with staff on evaluation studies such as emissions and controls research, regulatory research, and impacts analyses.
Assist staff with review and handling of CEQA review for rulemaking projects.
Assist staff with public and stakeholder engagement efforts in support of rulemaking projects.
Write technical reports and memos as assigned
Participate in field visits to affected facilities
Participate in workshops, public meetings, hearings related to Air District rulemakings
Participate in training opportunities, such as, online training courses offered by the California Air Resources Board and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Software Development (Information Services)
Join the Air District's effort to improve emissions data management and modeling. The Software Development Intern will:
Contribute to the development of a dynamic emissions database, ensuring accuracy and integration of geocoded facility data and stack release parameters.
Innovate by designing automated processes that streamline data updates and reduce manual corrections.
Support regulatory compliance and community air quality modeling, directly impacting AB617-designated areas.
Be part of a mission-driven team, advancing environmental expertise while developing professional skills in data science and air quality management.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
Must be continually enrolled in and attending an accredited college or university (summer enrollment is not required).
Must be at or entering the junior, senior, or graduate level of college study with a declared major in engineering, chemistry, environmental science, policy, political science, communications, computer science, information system management, public relations, business administration, public administration, planning, atmospheric science, meteorology, public health or a closely related field.
Must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher (where 4.0 is the highest GPA).
Applications must be received through the Air District's job board: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/baaqmd/jobs/4788022/college-intern?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs