Graduate Intern, Planning Division
The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce committed to providing exemplary service to its residents. If you are passionate about being part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.
The Department of City Development (DCD) is seeking graduate students interested in urban planning, zoning, and community engagement to serve as Graduate Interns within the Planning Division!
Graduate Interns are provided with valuable career development opportunities to work on a variety of planning projects, including working closely with professional planners, residents, developers, and community partners to support DCD Planning projects and initiatives.
An internship with DCD provides exposure to the operations of a large city planning and development department and allows interns to help shape the future of Milwaukee neighborhoods in partnership with community stakeholders.
Purpose
The Graduate Intern supports the Planning Division of DCD by carrying out research, analysis, and community engagement tasks related to land use, urban design, zoning, and neighborhood planning and engagement.
Graduate Interns work approximately 19 hours per week and cannot exceed 1,019 hours per year while enrolled in a graduate program from an accredited college or university.
This is a fixed term appointment, which means that the incumbent is on probation for the duration of the appointment but may compete for internal transfer and promotional opportunities.
Essential Functions
Urban Planning Research and Analysis:
- Conduct research and analysis and prepare reports on land use, zoning changes and overlay zones, neighborhood and economic development, zoning code updates, and urban design to support zoning and development review.
- Assist Planning Staff with the review of zoning and design related development proposals.
Administrative Support:
- Prepare materials for City Plan Commission meetings including PowerPoint presentations, staff reports, referral letters, and social media posts.
- Assist Planning Staff with neighborhood engagement efforts and note-taking at in-person public meetings and City Plan Commission meetings.
- Assist Planning Staff with the review of Board of Zoning Appeals cases.
- Assist the Planning Division with website updates, file management, and related tasks.
We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.
Conditions of Employment
- Hybrid work arrangements may be available; however, eligible candidates must be able to work in-office, including attendance at City Plan Commission hearings and community meetings.
Minimum Requirements
- Current enrollment in a Master’s program or PhD program in urban planning, architecture, geography, urban studies, public administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university. Enrollment must be maintained throughout employment as a Graduate Intern.
- Eligible candidates must have at least two academic semesters remaining prior to anticipated graduation date.
NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, and/or Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping applications.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics
Technical:
- Knowledge of urban planning principals, procedures, standards, and practices.
- Proficiency using standard computer software and programs such as Outlook and Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
- Ability to learn and efficiently utilize job-related programs and applications.
- Ability to read and interpret work-related documents and policies.
- Strong research, writing, and presentation skills.
Communication and Interpersonal:
- Verbal communication skills to present information and respond to questions clearly.
- Written communication skills, including the ability to create reports, letters, and highly graphical presentations and documents.
- Ability to support community engagement in racially and socioeconomically diverse communities.
- Customer service skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow staff, management, elected officials, other City staff, outside agencies, business owners, developers, and residents.
- Ability to work independently and function as part of a team.
- Ability to work cooperatively and fairly with people whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
Judgment and Professionalism:
- Ability to plan and prioritize responsibilities to meet deadlines and adjust priorities as necessary with limited supervision.
- Ability to think critically and analytically.
- Ability to effectively evaluate or make independent decisions based on experience, knowledge, and training.
- Ability to perform work with a high degree of accuracy, detail, and quality.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and a strong sense of integrity.
- Ability to be professional, dependable, flexible, and adaptable.
- Ability to serve as an effective steward of City resources.
Current Salary
The current pay rate (Pay Range 9PN) is $15.92 per hour, and the resident incentive pay rate for City of Milwaukee residents is $16.40 per hour.