Planning Intern Community Development - Western Springs

Job Title: Planning Intern Community Development

Job Type: Intern - 32 hr/week

Location: Western Springs, IL

Salary: 18/hr

The Village of Western Springs is accepting applications for a summer seasonal Planning Intern. We seek a qualified candidate looking for a rewarding work environment and a wide range of responsibilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Planning Intern will support various community development activities, including assisting with planning projects, reviewing zoning cases, and preparing essential documents. Responsibilities include surveying community conditions related to planning and zoning, creating maps and graphics to support both current and long-term planning initiatives, and gaining practical experience with development codes and zoning entitlement processes.

This internship is designed to provide professional development opportunity for individuals pursuing a career in planning and community development. The Planning Intern will work with the Community Development Department team to complete planning and zoning assignments. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

The employment application is available online at wsprings.com. To apply, please send a completed application and resume to jobs@wsprings.com

ANTICIPATED 2025 PROJECTS:

• French Market. Assist with the weekly French Market events. This includes the coordination with the compatible community events on the Tower Green to boost market attendance.
• Economic Development. Assist in processing property improvement grant program (PIGP) applications and developing the annual report on the program. Assist in creating marketing information for the PIGP, Village events, and Western Springs Business Association (WSBA) events.
• Records Retention and Storage. All development files need to be reviewed to determine the appropriate storage method and organization, eliminate duplicates, and follow the State’s Record Retention Policy and the Village’s needs. It is desirable to scan and save all recorded plats of subdivision and final engineering plans. It is desirable to better organize and create a log of all development files for ease of finding and using them now and in the future.
• Administrative Assistance. Learn customer service skills by helping people at the counter or on the phone to apply for or pick up building permits, schedule inspections, review submittals for completeness, and answer a variety of questions.
• Development Control Ordinance (i.e. zoning code) Updates. Research potential code amendments and assist with the code amendment process. Updates related to commercial use lists and other commercial related regulations are planned.
• Comprehensive Plan. The Village has budgeted to update its official comprehensive plan in fiscal year 2025.
• The Planning Intern would assist with research, preparation, community outreach, and similar for the existing conditions portion of the process.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and PowerPoint. ArcGIS knowledge preferred

Skill in compiling and evaluating complex planning, land-use and zoning code guidelines and formulating policies, standards, and service recommendations

Skill in reading and interpreting architectural plans drawings, surveys, and construction related documents

Ability to communicate effectively and professionally both orally and in writing

Ability to analyze data, formulate practical solutions and articulate recommendations

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and coworkers

Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously and to work independently and efficiently

Ability to interpret, explain and implement Village regulations

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Must be enrolled in a college/university and in the process of obtaining a graduate,

undergraduate, or associate's degree in urban planning, architecture, public administration, economic

development, geography, GIS or a closely related field. Enrolled in a master’s program strongly preferred.

Experience: Must have at least two (2) years of college completed; students majoring in Urban Planning or a similar field are preferred. Computer skills in Microsoft Office are required. Ability to work independently and work effectively in a team environment is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK CONDITIONS:

While performing the duties of this job the employee will be required to frequently walk, stand, sit, drive, type, and work at a computer. 

Normally, work hazards are not common, though care should be taken in the field. This position requires the ability to perform duties in adverse working conditions. The employee will be required to occasionally lift or carry up to twenty-five (25) pounds, and push or pull up to one hundred pounds. 

Occasional performance of overhead work, bending stooping, kneeling, twisting, climbing, and squatting are required. 

Work is performed primarily in an office setting, as well as outdoors when completing fieldwork. The noise level

can vary from moderate to loud.

COMPENSATION:

The starting salary for this position is $18.00 per hour.

WORK SCHEDULE:

The position will last for approximately three (3) months with a flexible work schedule of up to 32 hours per week.

HOW TO APPLY:

The employment application is available online at wsprings.com. To apply, please send a completed

application and resume to jobs@wsprings.com. This position is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, medical exam, drug screen and reference check. This position is available immediately, with the initial review of resumes beginning on April 1, 2025. The

position will remain open until filled.