Intern (Part-time, Winter 2027)

City of Shaker Heights•Shaker Heights, OH

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Shaker Heights Planning Department is seeking a paid, part-time intern for Spring 2027. The 12-week internship is expected to run approximately January 25 through April 16, 2027, and requires 15–25 hours per week in person. The intern will assist planning staff with ongoing projects and departmental responsibilities, gaining practical, hands-on planning experience in daily planning administration and current city projects. Interns may observe or participate in meetings when appropriate. The intern will support implementation of the Recreation Strategic Plan, Winslow Road Traffic Calming, Lee Road Action Plan, Zoning Map Modernization, Lynnfield Station Stabilization, and other traffic-calming projects. Work may include researching and preparing grant applications, particularly for the City’s historic transit stations, and participating in grant administration. The role also supports the Landmark Commission, Architectural Board of Review, and Board of Zoning Appeals through research, fieldwork, inspections, site documentation, and drafting meeting minutes. Additional project support may include community and stakeholder engagement; data collection and organization, including demographic information; grant tracking; photography; GIS work; administrative support; and creating graphics, maps, and geospatial data for illustration and analysis, including updates to the City’s zoning map. Applicants must be enrolled in a relevant undergraduate or graduate degree program. Employment requires a background check and drug test. The City does not hire individuals who use tobacco or nicotine products. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential tasks. Minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample.

Requirements

Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Public Administration, Architecture, Sustainability, Historic Preservation, Political Science, or a related field.
Interest in and experience with research and data organization.
Strong writing skills applicable to drafting grant applications and grant administration.
Strong communication skills and ability to interact professionally with a variety of individuals at the City and in the community.
Pass a background check and drug test before employment.
Applicants must not use tobacco or nicotine products.

Responsibilities

Assist with implementation of the Recreation Strategic Plan, Winslow Road Traffic Calming, Lee Road Action Plan, Zoning Map Modernization, Lynnfield Station Stabilization, and other traffic-calming projects.
Research, document, organize, and write grant applications, with a focus on grants for the City’s historic transit stations; participate in grant administration activities.
Assist with Landmark Commission meetings and special projects, including possible fieldwork and inspections, research and documentation of buildings and sites, and drafting meeting minutes.
Support projects through community and stakeholder engagement; data collection and organization, including demographic information; traffic-calming work; grant tracking; photography; GIS work; and administrative support.
Conduct research for the Architectural Board of Review and Board of Zoning Appeals, including fieldwork, zoning-compliance inspections, site documentation, and drafting meeting minutes.
Create graphics, maps, and geospatial data for illustrative and analytical purposes, including updating the City’s zoning map.
Observe or participate in meetings when appropriate.