Blog Description

The College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs at UIC is the University of Illinois System's home for the study of public policy and contemporary urban challenges. We are CUPPA.

In the heart of Chicago, we offer degrees in fields of study that can change your life and change the world. CUPPA students and alumni are uniquely skilled to build and transform sustainable urban neighborhoods and communities and to address the challenges presented in the 21st century. Find our more about our Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees at cuppa.uic.edu.

Follow our student internships and student opportunities below. For post-graduation job postings head to the CUPPA Careers Blog or follow us at @CUPPACareers on Twitter.

Have a job or internship to post? Send an email with the title, location, job description, and contact information to cuppa@uic.edu.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Urban Ecology Fellow - National Park Service

Who: National Park Service

What: The National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program in partnership with the Hispanic Access Foundation is seeking a candidate with an academic or professional background in environmental or natural resource studies to work in Chicago, Illinois on a full-time, temporary basis for 11 months. This position will assist National Park Service staff with supporting outdoor recreation and natural resource conservation projects in local communities. The Hispanic Access Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that connects Latinos to partner organizations and opportunities that improve lives and create an equitable society.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Mayoral Fellowships - City of Chicago

Who: City of Chicago Mayor's Office

What: The Chicago Mayor’s Office Fellowship Program offers a unique opportunity for students to engage in policymaking from inception to implementation. The Fellowship Program is highly-regarded as a leader in municipal fellowship programs. Over the last 15 years, the City of Chicago’s Mayor’s Office Fellowship Program has attracted highly qualified graduate level students from universities across the country. Fellows gain hands-on experience working directly with the Mayor’s Office staff in budgetary, legislative and programmatic areas of city government. Fellows gain a broad understanding of city-level policymaking and have an opportunity to connect what they are learning in the classroom to real world challenges.

The 2019 Mayor’s Office Fellows completed over 100 long-term and short-term projects over the course of the 11- week program. These projects were instrumental in driving the City’s policy agenda forward. Projects included but were not limited to, work on the following policy areas:

Work done by 2019 Fellows:
  • Helped establish the strategic plan for the new Office of Equity and Racial Justice 
  • Analyzed data and created safety video for the E-Scooter Pilot Program 
  • Wrote speeches for Mayor Lightfoot 
  • Assisted senior staff with the 2020 Census 
  • Designed and published a feasibility survey for Chicago’s first casino 
  • Created streetscapes for the Department of Transportation 
  • Supported implementation of language access programs across City departments
Eligibility Criteria:

The Mayor’s Office encourages graduate students from all disciplines to apply. Ideal Candidates:
  • Are enthusiastic to learn about city government 
  • Have demonstrated a substantial commitment to excellence as evidenced by academic honors, leadership ability, extracurricular activities, and involvement in community or public service 
  • Embody strong personal character and conviction 
  • Candidates are selected from both public and private colleges and universities. 
Candidates must:
  • Be current graduate level students 
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale 
  • Be a currently enrolled student at the time of employment to be eligible 
  • Live in Chicago during the fellowship period 
Program dates: June 8 - August 21, 2020 Compensation: $20/hour, 35 hours/week. Fellows are not classified as full-time employees. Relocation is at the applicant’s expense.

International Students must have an F1 Student Visa and must be a full time student in order to qualify. International students are required to have a social security number and card which states “Valid for work only with DHS (Department of Homeland Security) authorization”. Your college or university can be of assistance in obtaining authorization.

Students who are Deferred Action Recipients are eligible to apply. You must provide your Employment Authorization Document at the time of hire. In addition, you must also have a social security card. If you do not have a social security card, you can obtain one by following the instructions at: www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/deferred_action.pdf.

Fellows are not classified as full-time employees of the City of Chicago. Residency in the city of Chicago is required to be established at the beginning of the Fellowship and last for the duration of the Fellowship Program. Relocation is at the applicant’s expense. Fellows are paid at a rate of $20 per hour.

Selection process:

Prospective Fellows must complete a two-step application process in order to be considered for the 2020 Mayor’s Office Summer Fellowship Program.
  • Monday, September 16, 2019 Online application opens for Summer 2020. Application can be started at cityofchicago.org/fellowship (Applicants should be prepared to provide a cover letter, resume, letter of enrollment, transcript or letter of acceptance and a class schedule.) 
  • Monday, November 11, 2019 Online application will close at 11:59:59 p.m. Applications will be screened for eligibility and qualifications. Applicants who have been selected for interviews will move on to the second step of the process. 
  • Monday, December 2, 2019 Second round applicants will be required to submit a policy problem and a personal statement directly to the Mayor’s Office. These documents are due to be postmarked no later than close of business on this date. Please visit cityofchicago.org/fellowship for further details on submitting supplemental documents. 
  • Monday, December 9, 2019 Phone and in-person interviews begin. A final selection of Fellows will be made based on the results of the interview process. 
  • February and March 2020 Offers extended to the 2020 Mayor’s Office Fellowship Program.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Design Intern - Lakota Group

Who: Lakota Group

What: The Lakota Group is a progressive, award-winning, planning, urban design, landscape architecture, and historic preservation firm. We specialize in land use and master planning, downtown and main street planning, community branding, and landscape and public realm design. Our projects run the full spectrum of services, from conception to implementation, for both public and private sector clients.

Lakota is seeking an Urban Design Intern to support our planning and design team. The selected candidate will be exposed to all levels of the creative business environment. Assignments will vary, but will focus on supporting graphic production, as well as to assist with marketing efforts. A passion for the profession and the desire to learn and grow is critical. A candidate must have excellent design and graphic skills and be able to work well in a team setting.

Position Requirements and Responsibilities (but not limited to):
  • Pursuing a degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, or comparable field from an accredited university.
  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and GIS. Experience with 3D rendering and AutoCAD desirable.
  • Ability to support multiple projects concurrently, and adjust to dynamic project needs and deadlines.
  • Possess a passion for great design.
  • Possess excellent written, verbal, and communication skills.
  • Well organized with the ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary design setting.
Please forward your resume and portfolio, along with 2 educational or professional references including phone numbers and e-mail addresses (contact info. only – no reference letters necessary) to: jobs.lakota@gmail.com Attn: Human Resource Director Subject: Urban Design 2019 Internship Application

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Managment Analyst, Fire/Community Development - Village of Lincolnwood

Who:Village of Lincolnwood

What: Management Analyst Fire / Community Development

Summary:

The Village of Lincolnwood, Illinois (12,590 – 2010 census) is a diverse home-rule municipality directly north of the City of Chicago consisting of 2.7 square miles, with a unique blend of residential, commercial, and manufacturing areas. The Village is seeking an individual to assist the Fire and Community Development Departments. Excellent oral/written communication skills and ability to exercise sound judgment is required. Desired traits and skills include patience, self-motivation, reliability, customer service, critical thinking and problem-solving.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This position serves under the direction of the Assistant Village Manager with some coordination with the Fire Chief and Community Development Director. The Management Analyst is responsible for coordinating the Village’s Fire Department, including budget preparation, coordination of Requests for Board Actions and bids related to Fire Department services. Support for the Community Development Department is an integral secondary responsibility of this position. The position is a member of the Safety Committee. Daily responsibilities include answering general questions from the public, servings as the Fire Department’s Safety Coordinator and preparing Department communication pieces. The Management Analyst will perform special projects as assigned.

Required Skills/Education/Experience:

The candidate’s education and experience shall include a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university, Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Public Policy / Urban Planning, or a related field and two years of relevant experience. Candidates currently pursuing a Master’s Degree are encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will possess the following characteristics and abilities: excellent policy and procedure development experience, outstanding interpersonal skills that demonstrate personal integrity and respect and a passion for public service.

Hours and Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $65,583.76 to $86,570.57. This position is classified as a full-time, exempt, non-union position. All applicants must be able to work 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and attend some Commission and Board meetings before and after normal business hours. A flexible schedule will be considered for students currently enrolled in Master’s Program in a related field. The Village provides a comprehensive benefit packaging including medical, dental, and life insurance, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Pension, ICMA-RC retirement plans, paid sick, vacation, and holiday time, Flex 125 plan, and more.

Application Process:

To apply, please complete the Village’s application process located at www.lincolnwoodil.org/employment. The Village will continue to accept applications until 4:00 pm on Monday, November 4, 2019.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Women in Transportation Scholarships - WTS Foundation

Who: WTS Foundation

What: WTS is an international organization dedicated to the professional advancement of women in transportation. We are offering four scholarships this year to women pursuing careers in the area of transportation. Two of the scholarships are for graduate students and two are for undergraduate students. The scholarships and amounts we are offering from our local chapter are:
  • Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship - $3,000 
  • Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates - $2,000 
  • Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship for Graduate Students - $5,000 
  • Leadership Legacy Scholarship for Graduate Students - $3,000 

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Graduate Hourly Position - Freshwater Lab

Who: Freshwater Lab

What: Graduate Position Available with the Freshwater Lab In Spring 2020, the UIC Freshwater Lab will launch a new internship program focused on the Great Lakes and interconnected environmental and social issues. The program will engage students, professionals, and a wide-range of organizations. Professor Rachel Havrelock, Department of English, is coordinating the internship along with the Freshwater Lab’s research and public events.

A graduate hourly position is available beginning on 1/1/20 and extending through the Spring semester. There is a possibility of renewing the position through the summer.

The main aspects of the job include:

1. Help Professor Havrelock to maintain and develop connections with agencies and organizations hosting interns. 2. Communicate with staff at host organizations and facilitate intern placement. 3. Set up a network for Freshwater Lab interns to support one another and gain support for their work and experience. 4. Develop and implement on-campus publicity plan for the Freshwater Lab. 5. Support social media and PR for the Freshwater Lab. 6. Help plan and produce field trips and excursions for the Freshwater Lab.

There is room for the Freshwater Lab graduate student to also focus on an area of personal interest. There are possibilities for the Freshwater Lab assistant to conduct research, do web development, work on fundraising, and plan events, if and when these tasks are relevant and of interest.

Please contact Rachel Havrelock for more information, raheleh@uic.edu

If you would like to apply, then please send a resume and cover letter stating your interest by 11/04/19, raheleh@uic.edu

Internship Description:

The Freshwater Lab looks to build community and develop new leadership by designing an Internship for university students to work on Great Lakes issues, particularly in urban contexts along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. We envision a program which will link student interest and innovation to the urgent threats facing the Great Lakes and drinking water systems, demonstrating the possibilities for growth and social transformation in our region. The goal is to inspire change along with a new generation to implement it. This Freshwater Internship program, spanning an academic semester and a summer session, will offer practical training and vital networking with professionals.

Key Partners:
  • The Heritage Garden internship program based at the UIC Latino Cultural Center, run by Dr. Rosa Cabrera
  • UIC Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change
  • Department of English Internship Program
  • College of Urban Planning and Public Administration and UIC Great Cities Institute
  • UIC Sustainability Office

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Management Assistant - City of Long Beach

Who: City of Long Beach, California

What: The City of Long Beach, California is looking for talented aspiring public leaders interested in applying their skills to serve a diverse, full-service city of 470,000 residents. Established in 1980, the City of Long Beach Management Assistant program is the longest-running municipal management development program in California. The Management Assistant Program provides talented and motivated individuals with experience and skills to become innovative local government leaders. Management Assistants experience a paid one-year apprenticeship working in four three-month rotations in various city departments alongside career department heads. For more information, visit our website.

Monday, October 7, 2019

Fellow - Presidential Management Fellows

Who: Presidential Management Fellows

What: The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program seeks eligible individuals for assessment and potential subsequent selection as Finalists to obtain appointments as Fellows in the Federal Government. Thoroughly review this announcement and the Become a PMF section on the PMF website at https://www.pmf.gov for information about eligibility, application process, assessment process, and the application timeline. Learn more about this agency Responsibilities Those applicants selected as Finalists will be able to search for PMF appointment opportunities offered by participating Federal agencies. Additional details can be found under the Become a PMF\Find a Job section on the PMF website. Travel Required

Thursday, October 3, 2019

2020 Leadership Fellow Program - Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Who: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

What: About the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey If you have ever flown out of JFK, biked across the George Washington Bridge, or captured that perfect picture of the World Trade Center, then you have witnessed just some of what the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey does. We run some of the busiest and most critical transportation facilities in New York-New Jersey metropolitan region. The six vehicular crossings (the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Goethals Bridge, Bayonne Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing), and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown and George Washington Bridge Bus Station in northern Manhattan serve nearly 1 million travelers daily. Our three major airports (John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport) served over 132 million passengers in 2017.

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Real estate internship - Lightengale Group

Who: Lightengale Group

What: Lightengale Group is a real estate development consulting firm based in downtown Chicago. Our strong suit is the coordination of financing for multi-family rental affordable housing. We also coordinate the development process (architect, contractor, property management) for several of our clients. We mainly complete work for affordable housing developments in Illinois and Iowa. We have been in business since 1999. For more information about Lightengale Group, see lightengalegroup.com.