Community Development Intern

City of Whitewater•Whitewater, WI

About The Position

The Community Development Intern will be responsible for assisting the Community Development Department and other City staff with coordination and execution of a Downtown Activation Initiative. This role involves various tasks aimed at enhancing the downtown area through inventory, event coordination, art installations, and administrative support.

Requirements

Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student (UW-Whitewater or comparable institution), preferably in political science/public administration, business, economics, urban and regional studies, environmental studies, communication, or a related field.
Interest in local government, community development, or economic development.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable interacting with business owners and the public.
Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Able to work independently on assigned tasks and manage a part-time schedule around coursework.
Must satisfactorily complete background check required by the City of Whitewater policy for the role's level of access.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with GIS, Canva, or social media platforms.

Responsibilities

Complete the inventory of existing public assets available or needed for First Street (benches, planters, barricades, tables/chairs, other publicly owned assets), and coordinate with the Public Works Department on these items as needed.
Draft a First Street activation plan summarizing inventory findings and near-term tactical placemaking opportunities (movable seating, lighting, wayfinding, temporary art) for Director/Coordinator review.
Support City staff in brief research on comparable communities' tactical placemaking and DORA approaches.
Communicate with businesses adjacent to the planning area on an as needed basis.
Follow up support on placemaking recommendations made by City staff or third-party consultants.
Conduct outreach to downtown businesses to gauge interest in hosting pop-up or activation events (live music, sidewalk sales, outside art displays, collaborative programming).
Assist participating businesses with event logistics: scheduling, vendor coordination, signage.
Track events and businesses participating in the Downtown Event Activation.
Partner Pilot and help compile documentation for grant reimbursement.
Coordinate with vacant/participating storefront owners to schedule window art, murals, and temporary display installs under the Window Activation Program.
Serve as a liaison to preferred partners (UW-Whitewater Dept. of Art and Design, Whitewater Arts Alliance, Whitewater Unified School District) to help source artists/artwork.
Track small grant awards and maintain before/after photo documentation of installs.
Draft short progress updates for Director/Coordinator review.
Help track Initiative success metrics (events conducted, estimated attendance, participating businesses, activated windows) for the Council's Year 1 report.
General filing and records organization related to the Initiative.