Planning Intern

Under general supervision, the Planning Intern assists in the planning and implementation of department projects and programs by collecting data, completing research, and reviewing plans. The Planning Intern performs analytical work through the collection and interpretation of data used to prepare plans, reports, maps, tables and charts.  

Primary Responsibilities

The incumbent may be assigned to specific areas such as development review, land use planning, or redevelopment.
 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assists Planning Staff with zoning questions, project research, project mapping, planning report preparation, and site plan review.
2. Responsible for directly assisting the public through answering phones and email.
3. Communicates effectively, professionally, and courteously and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
4. Assists with filing, copying, maintaining office databases, conducting site visits, and running departmental errands as needed.
5. Assists with preparing for special meetings for neighborhood plans and other planning activities.  
6. Ability to meet deadlines and juggle multiple responsibilities while demonstrating adaptability, positivity, and flexibility.
7. Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
   1. Knows and follows department and City rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
   2. Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
   3. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed, makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.
   4. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

The job requires current college or university enrollment studying Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Architecture, or related. A valid driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility is also required.
 
Knowledge, skills and ability include:

• Knowledge of urban planning and development, landscape architecture, architecture, or public administration;
• Knowledge of computer software used in planning, including ArcView and AutoCAD;  
• Skill in organization and statistics;
• Skill in developing and interpreting data;
• Skill in performing mathematical computations such as algebraic functions;
• Skill in communication and interpersonal skills as applies to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others, sufficient to exchange or convey information, resolve disputes and receive work direction.
• Knowledge of geographic information systems;
• Skill in research methods and graphic representation of data;
• Ability to prepare PowerPoint presentations.

Physical Demands

This job is performed in a normal office environment, with a majority of time spent collecting and interpreting data for computer-generated reports and speaking to others on a telephone. Activities the incumbent must perform include fingering, grasping, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing and using repetitive motions. This job is rated for Sedentary Work, meaning that walking and standing are required only occasionally and the job involves sitting most of the time. The incumbent must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.