The City of Johannesburg is recruiting unemployed graduates for seven environmental internships within its Environment & Infrastructure Services Department.
The opportunities cover waste management, climate change, air quality, environmental education, biodiversity, occupational health and safety, and environmental compliance. The programme runs for up to 12 months and is aimed at South African youth aged 18 to 35.
Applications close on 10 September 2026.
Which internships are available?
The City has seven Youth Graduate opportunities open:
- Waste Management
- Climate Change
- Air Quality
- Environmental Education & Awareness
- Biodiversity & Open Space Management
- Occupational Health and Safety Compliance
- Impact Management and Compliance
Most positions require a Diploma or Degree at NQF Level 6 or 7 in a relevant environmental, safety, conservation or planning field.
What can environmental science graduates apply for?
Environmental Science and Environmental Management graduates can qualify for several of the available internships.
Depending on the role, the work can include waste management, climate data, pollution monitoring, biodiversity, environmental education and regulatory compliance.
This gives graduates a chance to build practical experience across different parts of environmental management rather than being limited to one type of work.
What does the Waste Management internship involve?
The Waste Management Youth Graduate will support programmes linked to recycling, waste separation, cleanliness and illegal dumping.
The role includes work such as:
- Auditing Pikitup Buyback and Garden Sites
- Monitoring service delivery and cleanliness
- Supporting recycling and waste separation programmes
- Assisting with community clean-up activities
- Supporting work related to illegal dumping
Applicants need an NQF Level 6 or 7 qualification in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Environmental Health, Nature Conservation, Occupational Health and Safety or a closely related field.
What does the Climate Change internship cover?
The Climate Change Youth Graduate will support the City’s Climate Action Plan and related environmental reporting.
The work includes climate-data collection, greenhouse-gas inventories, research, technical reporting and stakeholder coordination.
Applicants need a Diploma or Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Energy Studies or a related discipline.
For graduates interested in climate policy, energy or sustainability work, this role offers direct exposure to how a large municipality manages climate-related programmes.
What can Air Quality graduates work on?
The Air Quality Youth Graduate will assist with emissions monitoring, compliance work and pollution-related investigations.
The role includes:
- Supporting Atmospheric Emission Licence processes
- Site inspections
- Emissions monitoring
- Air-quality data collection
- Compliance assessments
- Reporting
- Investigation of pollution complaints
Applicants need an NQF Level 6 or 7 qualification in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Conservation Management or a related field.
What does Environmental Education involve?
The Environmental Education & Awareness internship focuses on helping communities and schools understand environmental issues.
The graduate will support awareness campaigns, environmental theme days, stakeholder engagement and the development of educational material.
Applicants need a Diploma or Degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Sciences, Nature Conservation or another closely related discipline.
This role may suit graduates who are interested in both environmental work and public communication.
What does Biodiversity and Open Space Management involve?
The Biodiversity & Open Space Management Youth Graduate will support work linked to environmental planning, city policies and site-related activities.
The role includes administrative support, record keeping, site work and compiling reports with findings and recommendations.
Applicants can qualify with studies in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Town and Regional Planning, Nature Conservation or a related field.
Who can apply for the OHS internship?
The Occupational Health and Safety Compliance internship is aimed at graduates with an NQF Level 6 or 7 qualification in Safety Management or a closely related discipline.
The role supports:
- Workplace inspections
- Hazard identification
- Risk assessments
- Incident reporting
- OHS awareness programmes
- Fire drills
- Emergency preparedness
This can provide practical experience for graduates preparing for careers in occupational health and safety, compliance or workplace risk management.
What does Environmental Compliance involve?
The Impact Management and Compliance internship focuses on environmental legislation and development proposals.
The graduate will help review development and land-use applications to support compliance with environmental policies, standards and legislation.
Applicants should understand legislation such as NEMA, NEMWA and NEMAQA.
This role may be particularly useful for graduates interested in environmental law, planning, compliance and regulatory work.
What skills will graduates need?
The City expects applicants to have strong basic workplace and communication skills.
These include:
- Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Written and verbal communication
- Report writing
- Presentation skills
- Project management
- Coordination
- Time management
Some internships also require more specialised knowledge in areas such as environmental legislation, climate change, occupational safety or land-use management.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must be unemployed South African youth between 18 and 35 years old.
They also need to meet the qualification requirements for the specific internship they want to apply for.
Because the seven roles cover different specialisations, applicants should choose the position that best matches their studies and career direction.
Where are the internships based?
The internships are based within the City of Johannesburg’s Environment & Infrastructure Services Department at 118 Jorissen Street, Traduna House, Braamfontein.
The contracts form part of the City’s EPWP short-term programme and will run for no more than 12 months.
How do you apply?
Applications are submitted through separate City of Johannesburg online forms for each internship.
Choose the opportunity that matches your qualification and use the correct application link below:
- Waste Management
Apply for the Waste Management Youth Graduate Internship - Climate Change
Apply for the Climate Change Youth Graduate Internship - Air Quality
Apply for the Air Quality Youth Graduate Internship - Environmental Education & Awareness
Apply for the Environmental Education & Awareness Youth Graduate Internship - Biodiversity & Open Space Management
Apply for the Biodiversity & Open Space Management Youth Graduate Internship - Occupational Health and Safety Compliance
Apply for the Occupational Health and Safety Compliance Youth Graduate Internship - Impact Management and Compliance
Apply for the Impact Management and Compliance Youth Graduate Internship
Before submitting, check that your qualification matches the internship and that all required information is complete.
Applications close on 10 September 2026.
