Workforce Development

Investing Locally Pays Dividends

As one of the City’s largest employers, the SFPUC is fostering a skilled and diverse local workforce that manages our water, power and sewer operations and is connected to the communities we all call home. Our workforce development programs connect local youth and adults with learning, apprenticeship, job training, employment, and business opportunities. These programs support a strong, inclusive, local economy and a skilled, diverse, local workforce for today and tomorrow.

Youth Work Programs: Getting a Head Start

Intern wearing hard hat in front of tractor

We believe in engaging with our service area residents at an early age to expose them to the knowledge, skills and jobs that will foster environmental stewardship and prepare them for future roles in the water, power and sewer industry.

Through our Agency and partners, each year about 1,400 young people participate in work-based learning opportunities and industry-related internships -- spanning engineering, finance, external affairs, technology, water resource planning, water, wastewater and power administration and more.

Here’s a brief snapshot of some of our youth programs at the Agency.

  1. Since 2012, District 10 high school students have had paid jobs and mentorships from the SFPUC and private engineering firms working on our Sewer System Improvement Program (SSIP) through the SSIP CityWorks Internship Program.
  2. Project Pull, a paid internship program, pairs local high school students and incoming college freshmen with City staff who introduce them to job skills and technical careers. Since its inception in 1996, the program has provided more than 1500 students with summer employment.

Supporting Local Jobs and Business Opportunities

Our Agency provides local communities with access to rewarding SFPUC-related training, careers and business opportunities. Through CityBuild Academy, an 18-week citywide construction program, we train and connect local workers to job opportunities with our capital programs. Since 2006, the program has created more than 1,000 placements. Our Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for our SSIP and Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) have created careers in construction, supported skilled union workers and ensured family-sustaining wages and benefits. These PLAs have brought thousands of jobs to our City, while building healthier, more reliable water and sewer systems.

We’re also committed to supporting local small businesses which boost new employment opportunities and serve as building blocks for vibrant communities. Through our Contractors Assistance Center, we provide local community contractors and small businesses with the tools and resources needed to access, compete for and perform on City-funded contracts. Located in the Bayview Hunters Point, the Center offers a wide range of services from classroom-style workshops and one-on-one counseling to networking events.

Partnering and Planning for the Future

Like many government agencies across the nation, we’re expecting a wave of employee retirements in the coming years. In preparation, we’re leading and supporting workforce development planning efforts at the local, regional and state levels in partnership with other government agencies, education institutions, labor unions, companies, nonprofits and the private sector. As a founding member of BAYWORK-- a consortium of 29 water and wastewater Bay Area agencies-- we collaboratively hold career fairs for hundreds of students and job seekers while providing workshops that keep existing workers up-to-date on skills and industry trends.