Planning & Development Intern

Job Description:

Under general supervision from staff in the Planning and Development Department, the Planning & Development Intern will work on different projects within the Department.  Projects will include creation of maps and demographic exhibits for longer-range land use, site improvement and land acquisition plans research, field work relating to trail signage and trail counts, and assistance with other planning and survey work as assigned.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provides support to the Planning & Development department.
• Conducts field work and collects site data
• Assists with project research, development, and implementation, including creating and planning documents, maps and reports.
• Maintains and updates databases and spreadsheets.
• Assists with archival and organization of important files and documents.
• Receives direction from several sources and prioritizes assignments effectively.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree and have a minimum of 30 credit hours of class instruction in a landscape architecture program or a pursuing a master’s degree in Urban or Regional Planning with: 1) a minimum of  9 credit hours of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or Geospatial Analysis coursework or 2) possess certificates from ESRI that document the completion of 32 hours of ESRI GIS training. You are required to upload a transcript with your online application.
• Must be a current Cook County resident.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to be self-motivated and resourceful.
• Ability to work independently with good judgment and attention to detail.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-based environment while working on multiple projects at once.
• Possession of strong written, verbal, communication, and research skills.
• Knowledge of physical and community planning concepts and processes
• Knowledge and familiarity with real estate documents including surveys, legal descriptions and the Property Index Number (PIN) system.
• Willingness to learn and have varied experiences.
• Willingness to be a self-starter and to have a positive attitude.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of Forest Preserves’ information.
• Ability to initiate and follow through with projects under a tight deadline structure.
• Ability to effectively identify and communicate issues or problems to management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, familiar with Adobe Creative Suite design programs, including InDesign or Illustrator, and GIS software
• Ability to work up to 40 hours per week for 3 months.
• Ability to drive to various District locations throughout Cook County on a regular basis in personal vehicle.
• The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work.  They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

Apply online at link included