Planning Intern - Janesville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization - WI

For more information and to apply please visit: City of Janesville 

Objective & Relationships

CITY OF JANESVILLE DIVERSITY STATEMENT:
The citizens of Janesville choose this community, not just as a place to live, but as a place to realize life’s opportunities. We strive to sustain a community culture where differences are recognized, understood, and appreciated. As such, the City of Janesville recognizes the importance of developing an environment where diversity is not merely accepted but embraced and celebrated. As public servants, we believe everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. To this end, we will diligently recruit and retain the most talented employees in an environment that fosters maximizing one’s potential. Therefore, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to consider employment with the City of Janesville and serve the residents of “Wisconsin’s Park Place”.

OBJECTIVE:
The Janesville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) seeks an Urban Planning student, or a student in a related field, to assist with a variety of transportation planning projects including conducting a Downtown parking utilization study, monitoring usage of bike and pedestrian trails and on-street bike corridors, conducting a pilot bicycle and pedestrian safety analysis for school areas, and participating in recreational trail planning efforts. The Janesville MPO is responsible for coordinating transportation planning and State/Federal transportation programs within the Janesville Area, assisting the Janesville Transit System, as well as performing other planning-related tasks within the City of Janesville Planning Division. This position is designed to build on skills learned in the classroom by offering hands-on experience and exposure to working in a professional city planning division.
 
This position is hybrid in-person and remote and can range from 20-40 hours per week from May through August, with some opportunity continue working into the fall. In-person office hours are generally weekdays from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm with occasional evening or weekend hours required. 
 
RELATIONSHIPS:
Reports to: MPO Coordinator

Essential Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Essential duties are not necessarily listed in priority order.
 

1. Research and collect data, perform spatial and data analysis, and prepare related charts, graphs and maps using ESRI’s mapping software, Microsoft Excel, or other software provided by the City of Janesville.
2. Organize and prepare professional and technical studies, analyses, and reports, including conducting background research, utilizing data from a variety of sources, interpreting City Code/Ordinances or State/Federal Code, writing in clear, concise language, and utilizing basic graphic design principles. 
3. Prepare and deliver presentations to a public audience, develop accurate and appealing graphics, and be able to interpret data and communicate findings to a variety of audiences. 
4. Work collaboratively with City staff and be able to communicate with members of the public, members of City Council, and the Plan Commission.  
5. Perform other work duties as assigned.

Minimum Position Requirements/Qualifications

Minimum education and experience required to perform essential duties of the position.
Education and Experience 

1. Be pursuing a degree in urban planning from an accredited college or university preferred. Other related fields may be acceptable.
2. Be familiar with Microsoft Office.
3. Experience with ESRI ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro.
4. Have desire to learn more about transportation planning, planning in a small-City, and Metropolitan Planning Organizations.
5. Valid state-issued driver’s license is required.

Knowledge of:

1. Basic statistical methods.
2. Public-sector planning processes and methods.
3. Comprehensive and transportation planning is preferred.

Skill in: 

1. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
2. Skilled in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software.
3. Excellent organizational, analytical, professional judgement, and problem-solving skills.
4. Communicating with team members and other staff in an office setting.

Ability to: 

1. Work independently, and on a team.
2. Communicate effectively, both in verbal and written form, and to follow verbal and written instructions with limited supervision.  
3. Perform duties with considerable judgment, resourcefulness, and initiative under limited supervision and within the boundaries of responsibility.
4. Multi-task and manage multiple projects simultaneously; ability to adapt to changing priorities and to work smoothly and cooperatively on a variety of projects.
5. Compose routine correspondence and reports in a clear, concise, logical, and effective manner, utilizing proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and tone.