Demographics GIS Intern

City of Austin

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

The mission of Austin Planning is to provide equitable and people-centered planning services to shape an Austin where everyone can thrive. With the 2030 Census fast approaching, the Demographics and Data Division of Austin Planning is looking for a summer intern to assist with several geospatial tasks. The intern will be responsible for building the foundation for an accurate census count. The decennial census brings over $2.1 trillion in federal funding to communities for housing, schools, clinics, roads, and parks. Achieving an accurate count ensures local communities get the dollars they need to provide services. The primary focus of this role will be to verify housing unit and group quarters counts within census blocks. The geospatial intern will make use of several different layers with housing unit counts, perform geoprocessing tasks to create block level housing unit counts, and examine census blocks within several Austin jurisdictional boundaries. The person in this role will be asked to review the existing geospatial layers and reconcile them to create a comprehensive and accurate geospatial layer of housing units in Austin census blocks.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent.
• Enrolled in an accredited college or university undergraduate degree program, with some advanced coursework related to the internship program.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to operate a computer keyboard and other basic office equipment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Ability to create clear and concise reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.

Nice To Haves

• Skill with GIS or R, and MS Excel

Responsibilities

• Produce a complete and accurate list of census geographies within the city of Austin and its different jurisdictional entities.
• Review City of Austin and Census Bureau datasets to determine an accurate count of housing units and group quarters on each census block.
• Correct inconsistencies in census geographies and housing unit/group quarter statistics.
• Present findings to team upon completion
• Create methodology documenting findings
• Observes and assists professionals in the assigned department to learn about areas of career interest.
• Assists, as necessary, in the coordination, administration, or monitoring of specific programs.
• Assists, as necessary, with researching, collecting and organizing data, performing analyses, and preparing reports to supplement knowledge gained through academic courses.
• Participates, as necessary, in finding solutions to existing problems and discusses recommendations with administrative personnel to acquire skills in problem solving.
• Assists with special projects.

Benefits

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees