Are you passionate about parks, preserving green spaces, and bettering the community? Join our team as a Park Planning & Development Intern and gain hands-on experience in shaping vibrant outdoor spaces! Under the guidance of the Park Planning & Development Manager, you’ll assist with planning and design projects, create CADD drawings, track project performance, and contribute to key initiatives.

This internship offers a well-rounded experience, including site analysis, conceptual design, construction documentation, and field inspections. You’ll also support public engagement, long-range planning, and project management by preparing reports, presentations, and technical drawings using CAD, GIS, and Adobe Creative Suite. Additionally, you’ll assist with budgeting, scheduling, and contractor coordination to ensure projects meet quality standards.

Ideal candidates are students or recent graduates in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, or related fields with strong organizational skills. Make an impact—apply today!

Essential Job Duties

• Provide technical and administrative support for park projects across all disciplines.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and documentation to communicate project progress and outcomes.
• Attend meetings with staff and stakeholders to collaborate on project goals and requirements.
• Ensure all work is completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

By Discipline
1. Landscape Architecture/Design

• Contribute to the design and enhancement of parks, recreational spaces, and public areas.
• Assist with site analysis, conceptual design, construction documents, and field inspections.
• Work on tasks such as grading plans, planting layouts, and irrigation design.
• Develop graphics and presentation materials using design tools like LandFX, CAD, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Conduct research on plants, materials, and environmental requirements specific to the Midwest region.

2. Park Planning & Development

• Participate in long-range planning for park improvements, land acquisitions, and environmental stewardship.
• Assist with public engagement efforts to gather community input for park projects.
• Review construction documents, environmental studies, and related materials for compliance with laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Utilize GIS and mapping software to create visual presentations and support project planning.
• Contribute to grant writing and other funding initiatives for park projects.

3. Project Management

• Support the planning, budgeting, and execution of park construction and renovation projects.
• Assist in preparing project schedules, monitoring progress, and ensuring compliance with standards.
• Interpret technical drawings and specifications to provide insights during project implementation.
• Collaborate with contractors, suppliers, and consultants to ensure project goals are met.
• Use tools such as MS Office, Google Suite, ArcGIS, and Esri StoryMaps to manage and document projects.

4. CADD Design Technician

• Create and revise technical drawings and construction documents for park projects using CAD software.
• Interpret design sketches, survey notes, and specifications to prepare accurate drawings.
• Collaborate on designs for site layouts, grading plans, and construction details.
• Ensure drawings meet industry standards and project specifications.
• Use GIS systems and mapping software to support design efforts.
  

Job Qualifications – Education, experience, and training that are required or desirable in order to effectively perform the job at the time of hire. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. Additional requirements and/or substitutions may be requested and require the approval of HR.

• Internship is open to college upperclassmen that have a positive attitude, enjoy working as part of a team, and have the ability to multitask (completion of two years at a four-year institution prior to the start of internship).
• Cumulative 2.5 GPA or above.
• Minimum of 50 hours of work or volunteer experience directly related to internship.
• Participate as a member of a team of professional and dedicated employees and volunteers working in a fast-paced work environment.
• Experience in AutoCAD, Lumion, Sketchup and/ or LandFX Software is desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with this position.

• Must be organized and able to prioritize work assignments and self-direct work tasks without constant supervision.
• Must be able to work under pressure of established and unforeseen deadlines.
• Ability to read blueprints and understand site, grading, planting, irrigation and other technical drawings related to property development.
• Ability to perform detailed work neatly, accurately, and in a timely fashion.
• Ability to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Ability to use good judgment and think rationally in difficult or stressful situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with supervisors, co-workers, and customers by telephone, in writing and in person.
• Must be capable of working collaboratively in a team environment, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City staff and the general public.
• Ability to safely drive vehicles used to transport materials, tools, and equipment
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential job duty. Job requires being reliable, responsible and dependable..