Housing – Community Development Intern

Northeast Arc; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) seeks a part-time, temporary Housing Planning and Community Planning assistant in the Community Development Department. The role supports housing policy research, data gathering, and stakeholder engagement while contributing to planning documents and outreach materials.

The position requires time management, independence, and collaboration, with opportunities to learn and support regional housing efforts. Benefits are not included for this temporary role.

Qualifications

• Pursuing an undergrad or grad degree in urban or regional planning, urban studies, or related field.
• Preferred: graduate work in urban planning and housing courses.
• Proficiency with GIS and related planning tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on Regional Housing and Transportation Strategy tasks and housing grant administration.
• Assist staff with stakeholder meetings, forums, and events related to housing planning.
• Prepare presentations for community members and internal stakeholders.
• Research housing policies, collect data, track policy implementation, and document best practices.
• Produce reports, presentations, and outreach materials using various tools.

Skills

Urban planning

Housing policy

Data research

Documentation

Reporting

Outreach

GIS

Excel

Census data

Visualization

Education

Undergrad/grad in urban planning

Graduate work in urban planning

Tools

GIS

InDesign

Job description

Job Description

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency that focuses on issues critical to the region’s success, including growth and development, transportation, water resources, services for older adults and workforce solutions. ARC is dedicated to unifying the region’s collective resources to prepare the metropolitan area for a prosperous future. This is done through professional planning initiatives, the provision of objective information and the involvement of the community in collaborative partnerships.

The ARC Community Development Department works closely with local governments across the 11-county region to help address a range of land use, development, and transportation challenges. The Department is seeking part-time, temporary support for the agency’s Housing Planning and Community Planning work within the Community Development Department.

The ideal candidate will possess skills and knowledge in urban planning and housing policy, data research, documentation, reporting, and evaluation; outreach and engagement; and research and analytics. To be successful, candidates should have solid time management skills, the ability to work independently and possess a desire to learn and solve problems. The position requires a team-oriented individual who seeks to work in a collaborative environment.

This temporary position is not eligible for benefits; working up to 29 hours per week.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Collaborates with ARC’s housing planning and technical support services, contributing to the Regional Housing and Transportation Strategy, Housing Grant administration, Housing Assessments, and Comprehensive Plan Housing Elements, and associated planning tasks within the Community Development Department;
• Assists ARC Community Development staff for stakeholder and community meetings, forums, and events related to housing planning and community development planning activities;
• Writes and edits presentations to community members, partner organizations, and internal stakeholders related to housing and community planning;
• Researches housing policies and programs, gather housing data, track regional policy implementation, document best practices;
• Participates in project work, produce reports, presentations, and outreach materials using various tools, interactive and/or digital media;
• Assists in documenting, tracking progress for related housing projects;
• Assists in gathering information and updates on housing and policy updates, new housing programs and projects undertaken by local governments;
• Completes other technical, analytical, and administrative duties as needed;
• Performs other duties as assigned to support agency goals and objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in urban or regional planning, urban studies, or related field.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of at least one year of graduate work in urban or regional planning, urban studies, or similar field.
• Completion of coursework in affordable housing, affordable housing planning, housing history, housing finance, and/or other related housing courses.
• Proficiency in GIS, InDesign.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And Competencies

• Knowledge of urban planning, affordable housing, community development;
• Knowledge of affordable housing policy, best practices and strategies;
• Knowledge of Excel, and familiarity with survey creation software;
• Ability to use and understand Census data;
• Skill using data to inform decision-making and program support;
• Ability to communicate and present information effectively, both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to work as a part of a team and complete tasks to deadline with general instructions;
• Basic understanding of regional stakeholders including public, private, non-profit, and community organizations and residents;
• Ability to provide a high level of attention to detail;
• Ability to utilize communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction;
• Strong project management skills, timelines, and reporting requirements;
• Strong communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills;
• Proficient with computer and relevant software applications;
• Ability to understand, translate, and present data and research into visualizations.

Additional Information

About ARC

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency that focuses on issues critical to the region’s success, including growth and development, transportation, water resources, services for older adults and workforce solutions. ARC is dedicated to unifying the region’s collective resources to prepare the metropolitan area for a prosperous future. This is done through professional planning initiatives, the provision of objective information and the involvement of the community in collaborative partnerships.

ARC Strategic Framework

Vision — ONE great REGION

Mission Statement

The Atlanta Regional Commission fosters thriving communities for all within the Atlanta region through collaborative, data-informed planning and investments.

Our Goals

• Healthy, safe, livable communities in the Atlanta metro area.
• Strategic investments in people, infrastructure, mobility, and preserving natural resources.
• Regional services delivered with operational excellence and efficiency.
• Diverse stakeholders engage and take a regional approach to solve local issues.
• A competitive economy that is inclusive, innovative, and resilient.

Our Core Values

Excellence | A commitment to doing our best and going above and beyond in every facet of our work allowing for innovative practices and actions to be created while ensuring our agency’s and our colleague’s success.

Equity | We represent a belief that there are some things which people should have, that there are basic needs that should be fulfilled, that burdens and rewards should not be spread too divergently across the community, and that policy should be directed with impartiality, fairness and justice towards these ends.

Integrity | In our conduct, communication, and collaboration with each other and the region’s residents, we will act with consistency, honesty, transparency, fairness and accountability within and across each of our responsibilities and functions.

Application Process

The Atlanta Regional Commission is looking for individuals who enjoy working in a public service environment where the mission is to improve the quality of life for the citizens of the Atlanta region. ARC serves as a forum where leaders come together to discuss and act on issues of regionwide consequence, so it is important that our staff share the public entrepreneurial spirit that defines ARC.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, ARC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, sex, religion or disability.

To request a reasonable accommodation during the application, interview, or testing process, please contact ARC at 404-463-3100 or Human Resources via email at [e-mail].