Planning Intern (Administrative/Graduate Intern) (Part-time)

City of Tustin•Tustin, CA

About The Position

The City of Tustin’s Planning Division is hiring at least two Planning Interns for a year-round, part-time opportunity supporting current and long-range planning projects, public engagement, and daily operations. Under direct supervision, interns perform entry-level assignments and gain practical experience in development review, research, public engagement, GIS, and municipal planning. The positions are at-will and non-benefitted, are limited to fewer than 1,000 hours per fiscal year, and may have hours that vary significantly from week to week. Applicants must submit an unofficial transcript or a scanned copy of an official transcript. Interns assist professional planners with assignments that may include interpreting municipal code, helping draft code amendments, researching planning practices, assisting customers in person and by phone, preparing GIS deliverables and public-facing graphics, reviewing construction plans, and supporting other planning activities. Interns may travel to project sites and locations throughout the City for field observations, posting public notices, and other planning-related work. The Planning Division is part of the Community Development Department, which includes Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, Historic Preservation, Housing, and Economic Development. The department supports community well-being through responsible development, economic growth, quality-of-life initiatives, planning, housing programs, business recruitment, code enforcement, and building permits.

Requirements

Administrative Intern: High school graduation and current enrollment in an accredited college or university pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree, with major coursework in public administration, urban and regional planning, urban studies, GIS, or a related field; alternatively, completion of such a degree within the past three years.
Graduate Intern: Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in urban and regional planning, urban studies, public administration, GIS, or a related field.
Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.
Satisfactory results from a background investigation, physical examination, and administrative screening.
Applicants must submit an unofficial transcript or a scanned copy of an official transcript.

Nice To Haves

For Graduate Interns, enrollment in a graduate degree program in urban and regional planning, urban studies, public administration, GIS, or a related field, or completion of such a degree within the past three years, is highly desirable.
Coursework in urban and regional planning, urban studies, public administration, and/or geography or GIS.
Strong communication and customer service skills.
Experience or interest in research, public speaking, graphic design, GIS, and project management.
Curiosity, dependability, empathy, eagerness to learn, and willingness to take initiative.

Responsibilities

Research and analyze assigned projects, prepare reports summarizing findings, and recommend appropriate actions.
Prepare visual aids such as charts, graphs, and presentation slides.
Respond verbally or in writing to inquiries and requests from employees and the public; provide technical and administrative assistance.
Maintain and update departmental files, records, and databases; compile data and prepare reports.
Review applications, records, and files for completeness and conformance with established regulations and procedures.
Assist department employees with assigned tasks.
Under staff direction, take a lead role in linking historical building permit records to a public-facing GIS interface.
Assist with interpreting municipal code and drafting code amendments.
Research planning practices and assist customers at the public counter and by telephone.
Prepare GIS deliverables and public-facing graphics and assist with construction plan review.
Travel to project sites and locations throughout the City to conduct field observations, post public notices, and perform other planning-related assignments.