2026 - Community Development Research Intern

Metropolitan Council; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

Metropolitan Council offers a Research internship in the Community Development Research department focusing on habitat classification and remote sensing for the Twin Cities seven-county region. The role involves labeling GIS datasets, ground-truthing in the field, and improving data collection procedures.

Candidates should be enrolled in an accredited program or be recent graduates with a strong background in GIS, Python, and climate/habitat data. Hybrid onsite/remote work is available in St.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in an accredited institution or a recent graduate (within 12 months).
• Residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin during the internship.
• Unofficial transcript required to be attached to the application.
• A valid MN/WI driver's license may be required.

Responsibilities

• Create labeled training and validation datasets for a machine learning habitat classification project.
• Digitize and label habitat polygons in GIS using satellite imagery and land cover data.
• Conduct ground-truthing in the field and verify habitat types against satellite classifications.
• Support a pilot study by testing, refining, and documenting data collection procedures.

Skills

GIS experience

Fieldwork

Python

R

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Education

Currently enrolled in an accredited institution

Recent graduate within last 12 months

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

Satellite imagery

Job description

As the Research intern for the Community Development Research department, you will have the opportunity to support the Regionally Significant Ecological Areas (RSEA) modernization project, contributing to data collection, ground-truthing, and quality assurance for a regional habitat classification and remote sensing initiative covering the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area.

We will not review resumes, cover letters, or any additional documents that are not specifically requested as part of this application.

Internship Information:

• Length: 3 months with a chance to extend up to 1 year.
• Hours: 20 hours minimum a week, up to 40 hours a week.
• Start Date: 11/16/2026
• Location: St. Paul

NOTE:

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement.

What does an internship with the Metropolitan Council entail?

Our internships are designed to provide students meaningful work, be an introduction to public service and a chance to discover the Metropolitan Council.

Who is the Metropolitan Council?

The Metropolitan Councils made up of several operating divisions that service the Twin Cities Metropolitan area in a number of ways.

• Metro Transit provides bus and light rail public transportation for the greater metropolitan area.
• Environmental Services manages wastewater treatment plants and the regional wastewater collection system and water planning for the seven-county metropolitan region.
• Community Development is responsible for helping the Council shape its regional growth plan and Metro HRA provides affordable housing programs in the region.
• Metropolitan Transportation Services (MTS) is responsible for the transportation planning functions as the Twin Cities metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for transportation.
• Regional Administration provides support services (Finance, Payroll, HR, etc.) for the Council.

• Create labeled training and validation datasets for a machine learning habitat classification project covering the Twin Cities region. You will digitize and label habitat polygons in GIS using satellite imagery and existing land cover data.
• Conduct ground-truthing in the field to verify habitat types, and perform quality assurance by comparing field observations against satellite-derived classifications.
• Support a pilot study by testing, refining, and documenting data collection procedures before they are applied across the full region.
• Depending on interest and capacity, interns may also have the opportunity to contribute to other Community Development Research projects.

Requirements

• Must be enrolled in an accredited institution (certificate/technical program, Associates, Bachelor's, Master's or PhD) OR a recent graduate (within the last 12 months of posting).
• Candidate's residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin during the internship.
• An UNOFFICAL transcript is required to be attached to the application.
• A valid MN/WI driver's license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Strongly Preferred:

• GIS experience (ArcGIS, QGIS, or similar)
• Background in natural systems and habitats in Minnesota
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Attention to detail
• Final year/senior standing or recent graduate

Other Preferred Qualifications:

• Python and/or R programming experience
• Familiarity with the Twin Cities metro region
• Prior fieldwork experience
• Comfort working with satellite/aerial imagery

DEGREE PROGRAM/AREA OF STUDY PREFERRED

• Data Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Geography, Forestry, Geospatial Science

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

Union: AFSCME

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Safety Sensitive: No

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications. 2. We rate your education and experience. 3. We conduct a structured panel selection interview.

IMPORTANT

If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affimative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email [e-mail].