Urban Planner Internship

Posted 2024-03-18

Application process

Email your application submission to [email protected] with the subject line: “Job application: Internship, [YOUR NAME]”. Attach a single PDF containing a cover letter, resume, and any relevant work samples or portfolio pieces (under 10 MB). We encourage applicants to propose research projects relevant to our product offerings as part of their application.

CommunityScale will get back to applicants within two weeks regarding their status. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Internship overview

CommunityScale is a pioneering urban planning firm that is focused on housing analysis and zoning. We are seeking an intern for the summer of 2024 that will split their time between working on project deliverables and research and development on a topic of their choice that will augment our product offerings.

The candidate shall be enrolled in or graduating from higher education. The candidate shall be capable of supporting a variety of efforts including housing studies, zoning reform, and community engagement. The candidate should have excellent graphic communications skills and be able to prepare planning reports and documents. They should be knowledgeable about relevant software systems and graphic programs.

Location and hours

• We are flexible regarding part time or full time for this internship
• Location: Fully remote with an expectation to participate in in-person internal meetings at some frequency and some project-related travel. While New England is our preferred location, we are open to candidates elsewhere in the United States. 
• Work hours: CommunityScale’s common working hours are 9:30-4:00 ET, Monday to Friday

Requirements and qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with (some or all of) the suite of statistical and communication tools employed at CommunityScale, such as the following programs or equivalent: RStudio, Google Sheets with API, BigQuery, Figma, Datawrapper, ArcPro and ArcOnline, and WordPress. Experience with Python is advantageous.
• An understanding of urban form, urban typologies and best practices in urban planning.

Benefits and compensation for interns

• The intern will be provided with a stipend based upon the applicant’s circumstances and hours of work.
• Professional development: Exposure to planning consulting workflows and opportunities for professional development and growth within the company.
• Collaborative work environment: A vibrant and collaborative work environment with a team of dedicated professionals.

Legal

CommunityScale LLC is incorporated as a limited liability corporation with the organization structure of partnership.

Firm overview

CommunityScale is an urban planning consultancy focused on helping communities across the country improve equity, economic mobility, and housing attainability. We provide a range of services and analytics products designed to help our clients make more informed and targeted decisions around policy and investment, from development opportunity assessments to regulatory and zoning reviews to housing needs assessments. Our work is data-driven and forward-focused, leveraging new tools and resources to deliver actionable analysis and insights.

Diversity and inclusion

At CommunityScale, we are committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion. We understand that our core strength lies in the collective and diverse experiences, backgrounds, and skills of our team. We recognize that each employee’s unique perspectives, ideas, and experiences contribute to the innovative solutions we provide in urban planning. We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Urban Planner – Community Analyst

Application process

Email your application submission to [email protected] with the subject line: “Job application: Planner, [YOUR NAME]”. Attach a single PDF containing a cover letter, resume, and any relevant work samples or portfolio pieces (under 10 MB). Your application should indicate if you are authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship, or if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status. CommunityScale will get back to you within two weeks regarding your status. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Position overview

The candidate shall be an experienced planner capable of supporting a variety of efforts including housing studies, zoning reform, and community engagement. The candidate should have excellent graphic communications skills and be able to prepare planning reports and documents. They should be knowledgeable about the software systems and graphic programs necessary to prepare these studies. 

CommunityScale is a team of planners leading data-driven, complex, and transformational planning projects across the United States. We help a diverse range of public and private clients. The planner will be responsible for analysis and production of written and graphic content, public engagement efforts and assistance on a variety of projects with CommunityScale.

Location and hours

• Full time (40 hours per week) or hourly contract work
• Location: Fully remote with an expectation to participate in in-person internal meetings at some frequency and some project-related travel. While New England is our preferred location, we are open to candidates elsewhere in the United States. 
• Work hours: CommunityScale’s common working hours are 9:30-4:00 ET, Monday to Friday. Remaining hours in the 40-hour work week are flexible at the discretion of the team member.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with our team on a variety of projects at once.
• Contribute to all phases of projects including analysis, interpretations, reporting, client and public engagement, and final production.
• Conduct statistical analysis for demographic, economic, and spatial reporting with US data sources including ACS, PUMS, HUD, CoStar, and Zillow.
• Create drawings and graphics including maps and diagrams.

Requirements and qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with the suite of statistical and communication tools employed at CommunityScale, such as these programs or equivalent: RStudio, Google Sheets with API, BigQuery, Figma, Datawrapper, ArcPro and ArcOnline, and WordPress. Experience with Python is advantageous.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Geography, Planning, Architecture, or a related field is required. A Master’s Degree is preferred.
• We require at least 1 year of experience in a professional planning position.
• Has the skill and knowledge to create, suggest and introduce innovative and effective client solutions and integrated deliverables for urban challenges.
• The candidate’s work experience should demonstrate an appropriate level of responsibility, work group leadership skills, understanding of the long term view in building client relationships, superior customer service and communication skills both written and graphic.
• Ability to engage a wide variety of clients and stakeholders.
• An understanding of urban form, urban typologies and best practices in urban planning.

Benefits and compensation for full-time employees

• Annual salary will be based on the candidate’s experience, paid in biweekly installments (salary, no overtime).
• Payroll taxes and related: CommunityScale will automatically deduct your portion of social security, medicare, and related taxes and withholdings similar.
• Candidates are eligible for a healthcare stipend that shares the cost between the employee and CommunityScale.
• Paid holidays: 10 Federal Holidays paid time off.
• Personal time off (PTO): Additional paid time off based on the candidate’s experience level, with a minimum of 10 days.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for professional development and growth within the company.
• Collaborative Work Environment: A vibrant and collaborative work environment with a team of dedicated professionals.

Legal

CommunityScale LLC is incorporated as a limited liability corporation with the organization structure of partnership.

Firm overview

CommunityScale is an urban planning consultancy focused on helping communities across the country improve equity, economic mobility, and housing attainability. We provide a range of services and analytics products designed to help our clients make more informed and targeted decisions around policy and investment, from development opportunity assessments to regulatory and zoning reviews to housing needs assessments. Our work is data-driven and forward-focused, leveraging new tools and resources to deliver actionable analysis and insights.

Diversity and inclusion

At CommunityScale, we are committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion. We understand that our core strength lies in the collective and diverse experiences, backgrounds, and skills of our team. We recognize that each employee’s unique perspectives, ideas, and experiences contribute to the innovative solutions we provide in urban planning. We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

General Inquiries

We’re interested in new team members with a passion for planning, data analysis, and zoning. For general inquiries, send an introduction to [email protected] with the subject line: “Job application: General Inquiry, [YOUR NAME]”. Attach a single PDF containing a cover letter, resume, and any relevant work samples or portfolio pieces (under 10 MB). CommunityScale will get back to you within two weeks.

Legal

CommunityScale LLC is incorporated as a limited liability corporation with the organization structure of partnership.

Firm overview

CommunityScale is an urban planning consultancy focused on helping communities across the country improve equity, economic mobility, and housing attainability. We provide a range of services and analytics products designed to help our clients make more informed and targeted decisions around policy and investment, from development opportunity assessments to regulatory and zoning reviews to housing needs assessments. Our work is data-driven and forward-focused, leveraging new tools and resources to deliver actionable analysis and insights.

Diversity and inclusion

At CommunityScale, we are committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion. We understand that our core strength lies in the collective and diverse experiences, backgrounds, and skills of our team. We recognize that each employee’s unique perspectives, ideas, and experiences contribute to the innovative solutions we provide in urban planning. We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.