Intern (Part-time, Winter 2027)

Shaker; Shaker Heights (OH); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Job summary

The City of Shaker Heights Planning Department is seeking a part-time paid intern for Spring 2027 to assist with ongoing planning projects. The 12‑week internship offers in-person work, approximately 15–25 hours per week, beginning January 25 and ending around April 16, 2027.

Responsibilities include grant research/writing, attending meetings, engaging with stakeholders, and creating maps and graphics using GIS tools. Applicants should be enrolled in Urban Planning or related fields.

Qualifications

• Experience with research and organizing data for planning projects.
• Strong writing skills for grant applications and administration.
• Effective communication with city staff and community partners.

Responsibilities

• Assist planning staff on multiple ongoing projects and tasks.
• Conduct grant research and help prepare grant applications.
• Attend Landmark Commission meetings and draft notes.
• Support community engagement, data collection, and GIS work.
• Prepare graphics, maps, and zoning updates for presentations.

Skills

Research & data

Grant writing

Communication

Education

Urban Planning / Urban Studies

Tools

GIS

Job description

Position: Paid Intern, $20/HR
Organization: City of Shaker Heights Planning Department
Internship Timeline: 12 Weeks, approximately January 25 – April 16, 2027

Organization Summary

Shaker Heights is a forward-thinking community defined by its welcoming spirit and enlivened by the diversity of its residents, employees and businesses. The City of Shaker Heights has a national reputation for being an early, planned Garden City suburb and continues to be applauded for excellence in both planning and implementation . The Planning Department plans for the City’s future by facilitating redevelopment, planning and implementing beautiful public spaces and world-class amenities, and supporting vibrant commercial areas and neighborhoods. The Department also administers the zoning code and provides support for planning studies on a wide variety of topics, including comprehensive/strategic planning, transit-oriented development, bicycle/pedestrian planning, traffic studies, public art, streetscape and parks. See the City’s current planning efforts here: https://www.shakerheightsoh.gov/329/Planning .

Position Summary

The Shaker Heights Planning Department is seeking a part-time intern to assist planning staff with ongoing projects and department responsibilities. This is a paid position for Spring 2027; in-person 15-25 hours per week. The position is available for 12 weeks during the spring semester.

The intern will be involved with a variety of projects and responsibilities at any one time. The internship is designed to provide students with practical, hands‑on planning experience with professional planning staff on the implementation of daily planning administration activities as well as current city projects. Interns will observe or participate in a variety of meetings whenever appropriate.

The intern will be involved with several projects and key responsibilities during the internship:

• Assisting Department staff with Recreation Strategic Plan implementation, Winslow Road Traffic Calming implementation, Lee Road Action Plan implementation, the Zoning Map Modernization project, the Lynnfield Station Stabilization project and various traffic calming projects.
• Grant research and writing for a variety of grants, including research, documentation, organization, and writing grant applications with a focus on grants for the City’s historic transit stations. There will also be opportunities to participate in grant administration activities.
• Assisting Department staff with Landmark Commission meetings and special projects which may include fieldwork and inspections, research and documentation of buildings/sites, and drafting meeting minutes.
• Project assistance including community and stakeholder engagement, data collection and organization, including demographic information, traffic calming, grant tracking, photography, GIS work, and administrative support for ongoing projects such the Lee Road Action Plan Implementation, Recreation Strategic Plan Implementation, Lynnfield Station Stabilization, andPublic Art.
• Research for the Architectural Board of Review and Board of Zoning Appeals including fieldwork, zoning compliance inspections, documentation of buildings/sites, and drafting meeting minutes.
• Create graphics, maps, and geospatial data for both illustrative and analysis purposes, including updating the City’s zoning map.

Essential Qualifications, Credentials and Technical Skills required

• Interest in and experience with research and data organization.
• Strong writing skills that can be applied to drafting grant applications and grant administration.
• Strong communication skills and ability to professionally interact with a variety of individuals at the City and within the community.

Applicants should be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Public Administration, Architecture, Sustainability, Historic Preservation, Political Science, or a related field.

The City of Shaker Heights does not hire individuals who use any form of tobacco or nicotine products. Background and drug test is required prior to employment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.

EOE

Minority candidates are encouraged to apply.