Community Development Intern

About us

The City of St. Louis Park is committed to being a leader in race, equity, and inclusion. As one of the city’s strategic priorities, the city seeks to ensure all practices, programs, policies, and services of the city are fair, inclusive, and equitable. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences, and our strategic vision includes hiring and retaining racially diverse and racially conscious staff across all levels of our organization.

About the position 

Provide city planning and zoning assistance and support for the community development department.  Provide quality service delivery to the department, public and other departments as needed.

This internship is part-time, working up to 30 hours per week starting in May. Ideal candidates will work for a minimum of 6 months with the opportunity to extend their internship up to 12-18 months.  

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with a variety of planning, zoning housing and economic development projects. 
• Assist with staffing and logistics for community outreach and engagement events.  
• Research and analyze best practices and ideas related to various zoning, housing and economic development related policies, procedures and ordinances and provide recommendations for community development staff. 
• Prepare documents and communicate findings with staff and other stakeholders. 
• Assist the zoning administrator with code administration issues. Gain an understanding of issues and processes related to enforcing zoning codes.  
• Assist in efforts to advance racial equity by attending meetings, conducting research, making recommendations, and developing programs or policies in coordination with others. 
• Assist with the review of one or more land use, development or subdivision applications. 
• Assist in the review of at least one planning and zoning application, which may include attending meetings with applicant, performing analysis of the request, attending a neighborhood meeting, and writing and presenting reports to the board of zoning appeals, planning commission and/or city council. 
• Participate in the process of preparing planning agenda packets and reviewing minutes. 
• Communicate with other departments, utility companies and surrounding jurisdictions associated with the request. 
• Assist the housing supervisor, economic development manager, senior planner and zoning administrator on tasks and projects as assigned. 
• Attend various city meetings or events as assigned. These will include occasional evening meetings, and perhaps weekend community events.  
• Collaborate with other city departments to work on events, communications, and administrative tasks as assigned. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Current student or recent graduate of a bachelor’s or master’s degree program with coursework in urban planning or closely related area.
• Proficient with word processing and spreadsheets.
• Ability to work at least 15 hours per week during the school year and at least 29 hours per week in the summer (and no more than an average of 29 hours per week), including occasional evening meetings or weekend events as assigned.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated cultural competence and comfort with supporting the city’s strategic objectives for advancing racial equity.
• Experience with coordinating events, activities, and special programs.
• GIS experience (i.e. ArcMap, ArcUrban, StoryMaps, etc.)