County Internship Department Job Descriptions

Live Well San Diego County Internship Program
Department and Internship Descriptions

AGRICULTURE, WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

The Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) protects human health and the environment, and promotes the County’s $1.85 billion agricultural industry and a fair marketplace by gaining compliance with laws and regulations through collaboration and outreach. AWM Ensures the safe and legal use of pesticides and investigates pesticide-related complaints and illnesses; Prevents the introduction, spread and establishment of invasive agricultural pests of statewide importance that can cause agricultural, environmental and economic harm; Certifies agricultural shipments for intrastate, interstate and international exports; Ensures the accuracy of commercial weighing and measuring devices and Point-of-Sale systems; Regulates organic growers, certified producers and certified farmers’ markets in support of local direct marketing and the sustainability of local agriculture; Inspects eggs for defects to prevent food-borne illnesses; Promotes the use of effective biocontrol measures against invasive pests.

Internship Opportunities

• Some clerical support duties, possible field work with Insect Detection Specialists who responsible for field collection, trapping and laboratory support work leading to the detection and control of insects and other agricultural pests. May also do some field work with the measures division in assessing scales, gas stations, grocery store, etc.

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT

The Air Pollution Control District (APCD) protects people and the environment from the harmful effects of air pollution. Air quality is continuously monitored throughout the San Diego Air Basin and programs are developed to achieve clean air through reduced air pollutant emissions. The APCD issues permits that limit air pollution, adopts regulations, ensures adherence to air pollution control laws and administers grants and funds used to reduce regional mobile source air pollutant emissions through incentive programs.

Internship Opportunities

• Clerical and administrative assignments supporting the Engineering staff

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) enhances quality of life by protecting public health and safeguarding environmental quality. DEH educates the public to increase environmental awareness and compliance and implements and conducts enforcement of local, state and federal environmental laws when necessary to protect public and environmental health. DEH regulates retail food safety; public housing; public swimming pools; small drinking water systems; mobile home parks; onsite wastewater systems; recreational water; medical and hazardous materials and waste; aboveground and underground storage tanks as well as contaminated site cleanup oversight. In addition, DEH serves as the Solid Waste Local Enforcement Agency, surveys for vector-borne diseases carried by rodents, ticks and mosquitoes and helps to ensure safe workplaces for County employees. 

Internship Opportunity – Food & Housing Division

•  General clerical and support functions.

Internship Opportunity – Land Water Quality Division

• General clerical and support functions

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION

The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) enhances the quality of life for county residents and visitors of all ages. DPR promotes health and wellness, safe communities, and civic pride through thousands of programs system-wide, including events and activities, recreation centers and state-of-the-art sports complexes. The County’s award-winning park system includes 36 local and 19 regional parks, 8 camping parks, more than 350 miles of trails, fishing lakes, ecological preserves,

botanic gardens, and open space preserves. DPR operates and manages more than 48,000 acres of parkland and 11 historic park sites that foster an appreciation of nature and history. Park facilities are open year-round and departmental programs enrich the lives of all patrons with a special focus for families, seniors, people with disabilities and at-risk youth.

 Internship Opportunity – Administration

• General clerical and marketing support

Internship Opportunity – Operations

• Field assignment assisting with park operations

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

Planning & Development Services (PDS) enhances the quality of our communities and ensures the health and safety of residents through a variety of programs. PDS is responsible for long range planning which determines how communities will grow. The department analyzes privately-initiated development projects to ensure compliance with land use regulations and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and the County Planning Commission. PDS maintains public health and safety through the land development engineering services, building permit review, and building inspection. The PDS Code Compliance program ensures safe, sustainable communities and preservation of our natural resources. PDS is committed to creating a seamless land use process that works efficiently, maintains high quality standards, and helps customers navigate the planning and development process. PDS operates with a strategic focus on customer service and a commitment to organizational excellence at all levels.

Internship Opportunity

• General clerical and administrative support in the areas of code compliance, building permits, and land use.

COUNTY LIBRARY

The San Diego County Library (SDCL) provides services at 33branch libraries, 2 mobile libraries, and 2 Library-to-Go kiosks. Library services include providing information in print, non-print and online formats for lifelong learning; promoting reading and literacy skills; instruction and access to the Internet and other online services; offering diverse programs to inform and enlighten customers of all ages; and providing homework resources for students of all ages.

Internship Opportunity

• Provides general support to staff that assist in unpacking deliveries from library headquarters, shelve books, periodicals, and other library materials according to numerical or alphabetic order and assist in checking out library materials.

DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES

The Department of Animal Services (DAS) protects the public from dangerous animals, protects animals from abuse and neglect, and saves the lives of thousands of unwanted, abandoned or lost pets each year. Approximately 25,000 animals enter DAS’ three shelters annually. DAS provides animal-related law enforcement, sheltering, medical and pet adoption services to the unincorporated area of the County and, by contract, to the cities of San Diego, Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Santee and Solana Beach. 

Internship Opportunity

• Provide general support to staff that perform a combination of kennel and animal care work along with a high level of public interaction at an animal shelter facility.

ASSESSOR, RECORDER, COUNTY CLERK

The Assessor is mandated by the Constitution of the State of California to locate, identify and establish values for all vacant and, improved real estate, business property and certain mobile homes, boats and aircraft. In addition, the Assessor maintains records on all taxable properties within the boundaries of the County of San Diego, including maintaining maps of all real property parcels. The Recorder is mandated by the Government Code to examine, record, index and archive records submitted for recordation or filing and to make available to the public all records in the custody of the Recorder. The County Clerk is mandated by the Government Code to issue and maintain a record of fictitious business names, issue marriage licenses, offer civil marriage ceremonies and provide certified copies of vital records, including birth, death and marriage certificates.

 Internship Opportunity

• Provide support services to staff that maintain records related to statements filed by property owners within the County for property tax valuation and appraisal purposes; process legal documents, and perform a wide variety of clerical assignments

TREASURER TAX COLLECTOR

The Treasurer Tax Collector’s office oversees the collection of more than $5.5 billion in property taxes every year, dealing with both secured property like buildings and unsecured property like boats, racehorses, etc. We also collect the transient occupancy tax from establishments in unincorporated parts of the County. In the Treasury, we manage the County investment pool, which ranges in size from $6 to $10 billion in assets on an annual basis.

Internship Opportunity

• Provide general support to staff in processing tax payments, opening and sorting mail, and routine clerical and accounting duties.

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

The Department of Human Resources (DHR) is responsible for all aspects of labor relations and human resources management for the County of San Diego. DHR serves as the in-house human resources consultant to the Chief Administrative Officer, executive staff and County departments. Activities include risk management, classification, compensation, recruitment and selection, labor relations, workforce information management, and administration of employee benefits and training programs.

Internship Opportunity

• Provide general support to staff that perform work in the areas of recruitment, classification, compensation, benefits, employee training and development, medical standards, and risk management/loss prevention/insurance.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

The Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) provides critical services to more than 3.2 million residents through its many programs and strategic initiatives that help advance the County’s vision for a region that is building better health, living safely and thriving, which is called Live Well San Diego. Nearly one in three residents (approximately 1,000,000) receive direct services from HHSA such as foster care, adoptions, adult protection, health insurance coverage, assistance with food, drug and alcohol prevention services, mental health care and an array of services by nurses and physicians. These services encourage the people we serve to engage in healthy living and promote safe communities to help the region thrive.

Internship Opportunity

• Provide general support in the areas of health services, social services, support and human resources, etc., at various locations. Internships will be assigned based on geographical locations and will include family resource centers to assist with public assistance benefits, public health clinics, fiscal services, child welfare services, facilities, human resources and contracts.

DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES

The Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) is the local agency responsible for administering the federal and State Title IV-D child support program. Federal and State law governs the department with oversight by the California Department of Child Support Services. DCSS Collaborates with custodial and non-custodial parents, courts, governmental agencies and community resources to support the long-term well-being of our customers’ children. The organization is committed to establishing and enforcing court orders for financial and medical support for these children, while taking into account the changing needs of both parents. DCSS encourages self-sufficiency and provides resources and options through the life of the case.

Internship Opportunity

• Provide general support to staff that provide child support services to clients and in managing cases and preparing legal documents and the establishment and enforcement of child support orders.

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES

The Office of Emergency Services (OES) coordinates the overall county response to disasters. OES is responsible for alerting and notifying appropriate agencies when disaster strikes; coordinating all agencies that respond; ensuring resources are available and mobilized in times of disaster; developing plans and procedures for response to and recovery from disasters; and developing and providing preparedness materials for the public. OES staffs the Operational Area Emergency operations Center (EOC), a central facility providing regional coordinated emergency response, and acts as staff to the Unified Disaster Council (UDC). The UDC is a joint powers agreement among all 18 incorporated cities and the County of San Diego that provides for the coordination of plans and programs countywide to ensure protection of life and property.

Internship Opportunity

• Provide support to staff that plan and analyze disaster emergency plans which lead to the development and implementation of County operational area policies and programs governing the County’s emergency response and recovery operations.

PROBATION DEPARTMENT

The Probation Department, established in 1907, has been providing effective community corrections solutions to San Diego County residents for over 100 years. Services provided include detention for delinquent juveniles in two Juvenile Halls, treatment and custody for juvenile wards in two minimum security facilities, investigation and supervision services for juvenile and adult offenders as ordered by the San Diego Superior Court, as well as victim assistance through notification and restitution. The department has developed a wide variety of community outreach prevention programs to strengthen families, increase youth resiliency, and reduce gang involvement for youth at risk of entering the juvenile justice system. Additional programs provided in partnership with community providers target behaviors that drive criminal activity. These programs were created in collaboration with the courts, law enforcement, health agencies, schools, social service agencies and other community-based organizations. With the enactment of Assembly Bill (AB) 109, Public Safety Realignment (2011), the Probation Department now also provides supervision and reentry services to adult inmates returning to the community from prison.

Internship Opportunity

• Provide support to staff that involves data gathering, computing, reporting and interpreting.

PUBLIC DEFENDER

The Department of the Public Defender consists of four separate divisions, all ethically walled to avoid conflicts, including the Primary Public Defender, the Alternate Public Defender, the Multiple Conflicts Office and the Office of Assigned Counsel. The Public Defender is responsible for providing legal representation to indigent persons accused of crimes including adults and juveniles charged with felonies such as murder, robbery, rape, assaults, drug offenses, or harm to property. The department also represents indigent adults and juveniles who are charged with misdemeanor offenses and provides legal advice to all persons at arraignment unless retained counsel represents them. The Public Defender provides representation in some civil cases such as mental health matters and sexually violent predator cases.

Internship Opportunity

• Provide general support to staff that perform a wide variety of professional legal work in the defense of adults and juveniles accused of crimes.

PUBLIC WORKS

DPW crews patrol and fix our nearly 2,000 miles of County roadways, replace guardrails and continually repaint crosswalks and other legends in the roadway. They maintain a vast network of sewage pipes and pump stations. They build and maintain flood channels and water detention facilities. They keep our county drains and storm channels clear, keep our traffic signals and street lights lit. They design and build roadways, sidewalks, bike lanes, pedestrian pathways, equestrian trails, bridges, and other solutions to our transportation needs. DPW operates eight County airports including McClellan-Palomar Airport, Gillespie Field, and Ramona Airport – a base for Cal Fire. DPW also works with private developers in building for the future – ensuring public facilities meet standards for safety. They oversee inactive landfills and help protect our environment. There is hardly a part of our public infrastructure that DPW does not help design, build, manage or keep operational to help ensure we have safe communities, sustainable environments, and healthy families.

Internship Opportunity – Watershed Program

• Provide general support in the Watershed Protection Program to reduce pollution and protect watersheds, manage stormwater runoff and control discharge.

Internship Opportunity – Airport

• Provide general support to crews who operate and maintain County airports.

GENERAL SERVICES

The Department of General Services ensures that other County departments have the necessary workspace, services and vehicles to accomplish their own business objectives.  These services range from real estate leasing and acquisition support to capital improvements and architectural planning; from facility maintenance and repair services to security management; from vehicles acquisitions and maintenance to refueling services.

Internship Opportunity

• Provide administrative and clerical support in the areas of mail processing, fleet usage and repairs, and facility maintenance.

FIRE AUTHORITY

The San Diego County Fire Authority supports the delivery of high quality emergency medical and fire services to a 1.5 million-acre area of unincorporated San Diego County. The emergency services are provided by a combination of professionally trained volunteer and career staff. Additionally, the San Diego County Fire Authority coordinates regional fire prevention for unincorporated San Diego County.

Internship Opportunity

• Provide clerical and administrative support to staff who manage emergency and fire services to unincorporated areas, including fire code compliance and investigations.