Project Intern – Engineering and Public Administration (20663395)

Job Description:

Project Intern – Engineering and Public Administration (20663395)

Description

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:

Ideal Candidate

Engineering

Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Team

The CIP Team oversees the planning, design, and construction of capital improvement projects for the City. Under the guidance of a project manager or engineer, the intern could expect to support staff in gathering data, developing reports and estimates, reviewing field conditions, developing engineering plans, drafting consultant agreements and assisting with construction inspection and management duties.

The intern may provide aid on various projects related to roadway resurfacing, sidewalk improvements, park upgrades, water and stormwater design, and City facility improvements (buildings and infrastructure) amongst others. The intern will work closely with engineers, inspectors, and other City Departments to successfully execute project deliverables. The intern may also engage with external utility agencies and municipalities where required by task.

Duties may include:

• Assist engineers with general clerical, administrative, and technical tasks on projects
• Create spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel (including engineering estimates)
• Create and edit reports and CAD maps (AutoCAD)
• Perform field data collection or investigation and analyses
• Check and perform mathematical calculations
• Assist with review of consultant proposals, invoices, and submittals (plans and reports)
• Assist with drafting plans, specifications, and estimates (PSE) for construction bidding
• Assist with drafting construction documents (RFIs, Change Orders, close-out forms, etc.) Assist in public outreach
• Attend meetings with project stakeholders (including City departments and agencies) Other projects depending on the intern’s time and interests

Transportation Team Description

The transportation division manages the city’s existing transportation infrastructure - traffic signals and streetlights - and delivers new projects to improve travel for people of all ages and abilities. An intern on this team could expect to work on projects to enhance crosswalks, design new bike lanes, conduct corridor studies, coordinate with the capital improvement team on repaving and sidewalk projects, work closely with other department teams such as the streets maintenance team, work with the community on traffic calming projects, respond to resident requests, and review new private development applications to ensure their impacts on the transportation system are minimized. Strong communications skills - in person and in writing - are critical on this team to engage effectively with community members, stakeholders and regional partners like Samtrans, Caltrain, and Caltrans.

Duties may include:

• Assist project managers with general clerical, administrative, and technical tasks for transportation projects
• Assist with citywide signage and striping program, including field investigations, roadway striping design, signage and striping inventory, creating work orders and inputting data into a GIS database
• Collect, process and record field data; perform field inspections; prepare technical reports, cost estimates and cost-benefit calculations regarding existing and proposed traffic control devices
• Assist with traffic engineering studies such as field surveys, counts and delay studies.
• Assist in the preparation of grant applications, attend and prepare information for City Commissions and City Council
• Assist the Transportation Systems Management Coordinator in promoting commute alternatives such as carpooling, public transportation, walking, biking and telecommuting including record keeping, survey work, and distribution of commute alternative information
• Update the City’s Vistro Model
• Update the City’s Traffic Signal Equipment Inventory Database and the City’s Traffic Signal Timing Sheets
• Perform intersection Level of Service analyses and review signal timings using the Synchro and SimTraffic Traffic Signal Optimization Software
• Assist with Streetlight analyses
• Assist in writing instructions, procedures, guides, and manuals to describe and improve administrative, technological, and operational methods and systems.
• Investigating resident and community concerns
• Compiling and organizing data or documents
• Assist in other areas such as internal and external communication and public outreach
• Document imaging and electronic document filing
• Supporting public outreach events

Land Development Team Description

The Land Development Team is responsible for review of development projects for compliance with city standards, ordinances, permits, regulations and statutes. An intern on this team could expect to support staff in gathering data, developing reports, and providing assistance on various projects such as C.3 regulated projects, green infrastructure design guide, stormwater annual report and other projects as needed. The intern will work closely with other engineers, public works inspectors, and interact directly with other agencies and the public.

Duties may include:

• Organize, produce, and maintain records and process forms including reports specific to the stormwater annual report
• Independently prepare and update a variety of forms, guidelines and worksheets relating to
• the Municipal Regional Permit / Stormwater C.3 and C.6 handbooks and green infrastructure ordinance
• Create spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel
• Perform field data collection or investigation and analyses
• Check and perform mathematical calculations
• Conduct surveys
• Compile and organize data
• Attend meetings
• Assist in public outreach

Public Administration

Business Services Team

The Business Services is responsible for procurement, budget planning, water billing services, public outreach/marketing needs and administrative support for the Public Works Department.

Duties may include:

• Conduct research to analyze government operations and procedures
• Assist with budget planning and tracking
• Assist with the development of public outreach and marketing materials
• Organize, produce, and maintain records and process forms including reports specific to the administrative needs of the department
• Create spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel
• Attend meetings

Minimum Qualifications

Engineering: Applicants must be in the process of earning an undergraduate (junior or senior) or master’s degree in Civil Engineering, or a related field or within one (1) year after graduation.

Public Administration: Applicants must be in the process of earning an undergraduate (junior or senior) or master’s degree in public administration, or a related field or within one (1) year after graduation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate workload
• Ability to work independently and within teams
• Ability to learn new information quickly
• Exhibit a positive attitude and flexibility in accepting assignments
• Flexibility to take on various tasks
• Knowledge of AutoCAD, GIS, and engineering concepts are preferred but not required

Benefits

This is a non-benefited temporary position. Hours of work are flexible and can be designed around course work requirements. There is a possibility for a hybrid work schedule, with some remote work. A temporary employee may not work more than 1000 hours per year (July 1 through June 30) and will receive sick leave in accordance with State Law.

Special Instructions

Please add the following information to your application:

• Cover letter
  
• Resume
  
• Copy of college (unofficial) transcript
  

The City will review all applications and interview selected applicants.

Applications will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in this announcement.

The City of Menlo Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Menlo Park not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees. We will make reasonable efforts in the selection process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please contact Human Resources at (650) 330-6670 or
jobs@menlopark.gov
prior to the closing date for accommodation requests.

Before receiving an offer of employment, candidates will be required to successfully complete a reference check, criminal conviction history questionnaire, and Department of Justice fingerprinting. Applicants must be successful in all phases of the selection process to be considered for this position.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, all potential employees are required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States.

Closing Date/Time: Until filled

Salary:

$20.24-$24.74 Hourly