Civil/Environmental Engineer (Landfill Support) Intern
Salary: $19.00 Hourly
Location : Orange County
Job Type: Paid Intern
Job Number: 9021SY-1125-299 (O)
Department: OC Waste & Recycling
Opening Date: 11/24/2025
Closing Date: 12/14/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
CAREER DESCRIPTION
Civil/Environmental Engineer (Landfill Support) Undergraduate Intern
OC Waste & Recycling
This recruitment is open to the public and will remain open for a minimum of five (5) business days and is scheduled to close at 11:59 PM (PST) on Sunday, December 14, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
OC WASTE & RECYCLING
OC Waste & Recycling owns and operates the Orange County landfill system. The engineering group is tasked with maintaining compliance with the standards set forth by the various regulatory agencies such as the Air Quality Management District, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Cal Recycle, Health Care Agency and the Local Enforcement Agency.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This internship is an in-person internship and is assigned to the South Region Landfill located in San Juan Capistrano.
The engineering group at South Region Landfill in San Juan Capistrano provides engineering support services to the ongoing landfill operations, including drainage and erosion control; site grading designs; landfill gas collection system maintenance/expansion/monitoring; renewable energy program management assistance; construction support service; groundwater/gas/compost sampling/monitoring; and various regulatory compliance monitoring, reporting, and remediation tasks.
Interns will learn about the general operations of a landfill, focusing on the civil and environmental engineering aspects under the direct guidance of Engineering Technicians and Civil Engineering Associates. While working with the Engineering Technicians, interns will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience sampling liquids such as stormwater and groundwater, sampling compost, using gas monitoring equipment, and operating surveying equipment including drones. From the Civil Engineering Associates, interns have the potential to develop design skills in AutoCAD Civil 3D, learn about compliance policies and their associated governing agencies, and understand landfill engineering infrastructure, such as the Landfill Gas Control and Collection System, that help reduce environmental impacts and protect public safety. Additionally, interns will work with licensed Civil Engineers and will be supervised by a licensed Senior Civil Engineer which increases career prospects by gaining knowledge and expertise from professionals in the engineering field. Interns will also have the chance to interact and learn from OCWR's Operations team, Project Management team, and various consultants and contractors.
INTERN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Intern duties/responsibilities include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following projects:
- Perform records search
- Organize, develop and archive various files such as documents, reports and drawings that are stored as digital and/or hardcopies
- Perform data entry and/or analysis
- Provide staff support with groundwater, stormwater, and/or landfill gas sampling and monitoring
- Assist with field survey duties and compliance report preparation
- Ability to assist with basic AutoCAD Civil 3D line work and calculations
- Compost sampling and monitoring
Please note this is an in-person internship. Interns will not be able to perform the above duties remotely/virtually.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must currently be enrolled in an associate/bachelor's degree program in an accredited college/university majoring in civil, environmental, or solid waste engineering and have completed at least two years of academic course work.
Basic understanding of math and science is required.
Students who have graduated within the last 6 months and obtained a bachelor's degree in one of the fields of study above are eligible to apply.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to calculate area, volume and density
- Basic understanding of math and science in fields related to trigonometry, geometry, physics, chemistry, etc.
- Proficient in verbal communication/presentation and English writing skills
- Strong organization, problem solving and analytical skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite 2016 and above
- Basic knowledge of AutoCAD and CIVIL3D
- Experience in databases and graphics programs such as ArcGis
- Ability to work on team projects and handle several assignments simultaneously
- Physical agility for field assignments
TIME COMMITMENT
Immediate placement is available. Work hours are flexible, with a preference for interns who can commit to 20-29 hours per week, Monday through Friday for a minimum of 6 months with an opportunity to extend up to 12 months.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This internship includes outdoor work in an active landfill setting. Appropriate clothing for a field environment will be required. Interns will be provided appropriate PPE.
BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO THE INTERN
- Earn academic credit while applying classroom knowledge to a professional workplace
- Build resumes/hands-on experience and explore a career in local government
- Network with professionals in their fields of interest
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applicants must attach a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts to their application. The cover letter is an opportunity for students to describe career and academic goals, to elaborate upon personal and academic accomplishments, and to identify what type of internship experience they are seeking. Learn more about what to include in a cover letter .
Applications that do not include a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts will not be considered.
REQUIRED BACKGROUND SCREENING/REFERENCE CHECK
Prior to placement, applicants may be asked to submit contact information for reference checks, and a background screening will be conducted that requires a state issued driver's license or ID card and a U.S. Social Security number.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.
Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For additional internship postings, please check our Web site at the following link:
Click for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact [click to reveal phone number] or
EEO INFORMATION
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,
encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
This position does not offer any benefits.
If you have any questions, please contact the recruiter for this position. The recruiter should be listed on the Job Posting.
01
To be considered for an internship opportunity, you must submit by attaching to this application your cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts.
I have read and understand this requirement to be considered.
(Please attach cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts)
- YES
- NO
02
I am a current student enrolled in an accredited college/university earning an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or solid waste engineering and have completed at least two years of academic course work.OrI have graduated from an accredited college/university where I completed an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in one of the above listed fields of study in the last six (6) months?
- YES
- NO
03
I understand that this internship position is an in-person internship where working hours must be scheduled Monday through Friday
- Yes
04
This internship is expected to last six months to one year. Are you able to commit to this time frame?
- Yes
- No
05
Please list software programs you have experience with such as Microsoft Excel, AutoCAD, etc.
06
Please read the following statement carefully. After reading the statement, answer the question.
In conjunction with the passage of Assembly Bill 2830 by the California State Legislature, specific individuals may qualify for hiring preference when applying for an internship position.
Individuals who are, or have been, a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth, or a formerly incarcerated youth as defined by Government Code section 31000.11 are encouraged to apply and will be given priority in the hiring process. Please note that prior to appointment, individuals claiming preference under one of these categories may be required to furnish documentation establishing their eligibility. Are you eligible to receive this hiring preference based on Government Code 31000.11?
(Select "Yes" only if you belong to one of the above mentioned categories)
- Yes, I am eligible under Government Code 31000.11
- No, I am not eligible
07
Please list any field experience you have such as using equipment in the field, surveying, monitoring, etc.
08
Will you receive academic credit through your college/university?
(Students will be asked to provide University agreements or MOUs that a site supervisor is required to sign before being offered placement)
- Yes
- No
Required Question