Internship / Assistant Planner

Harbor Consultants, Inc.; Cranford (NJ); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Harbor Consultants, Inc. in Cranford, NJ is seeking a Graduate Student Intern in Municipal Planning and Land Use Policy to support planning, housing policy, and land use analysis.

The role is a part-time 15-20 hours/week with hybrid/remote/in-person options and a competitive hourly rate based on experience. The intern will work on NJ planning frameworks, assist with master plans and redevelopment studies, and develop memos and briefing materials for planning board meetings.

Qualifications

• Active student in the MCRP degree program.
• Strong knowledge of New Jersey land use law, municipal governance, zoning principles, and housing policy.
• Proficiency in GIS analysis, qualitative/quantitative research methods, and Microsoft Office.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with ability to translate complex statutory concepts.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Land Use & Statutory Policy Analysis: research and summarize NJ MLUL, zoning, UHAC, LRHL.
• Development & Master Plan Review: assist in analyzing master plans, redevelopment studies, site plans.
• Data Collection & Analysis: gather and evaluate spatial, demographic, and economic data.
• Report Preparation: draft memos, policy summaries, and research reports for boards.
• Stakeholder Support: prepare briefing materials and visual presentations for meetings.

Skills

GIS analysis

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

MS Office proficiency

Written & verbal communication

Education

MCRP program

Tools

GIS software (ArcGIS)

Data analysis tools

Job description

Graduate Student Intern - Municipal Planning & Land Use Policy

Position Type: Part-Time (15-20 hours/week)

Location: Hybrid / Remote / In Person

Compensation: Competitive hourly rate based on experience

Harbor Consultants, Inc.

Harbor Consultants is a twenty-person multidisciplinary firm providing civil engineering, planning, landscape architecture, land surveying and construction management services for both private and municipal clients throughout New Jersey. Our office is located at 320 North Avenue East, Cranford, NJ.

We are seeking a detail-oriented, highly motivated graduate student currently enrolled in a Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) program (or similar graduate level planning program) to support municipal planning, land use analysis, and housing policy initiatives. This position offers hands-on experience applying New Jersey planning frameworks, statutory requirements, and local development policies to real-world municipal projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Land Use & Statutory Policy Analysis: Research and summarize requirements under the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL), local zoning ordinances, affordable housing regulatory frameworks (UHAC) and the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (LRHL).
• Development & Master Plan Review: Assist in analyzing municipal master plans, redevelopment studies and plans, conditional use applications, and site plan submissions.
• Data Collection & Analysis: Gather and evaluate spatial, demographic, and economic data to support housing element updates, infrastructure planning, and environmental reviews.
• Report Preparation: Draft clear, concise technical memos, public notice drafts, policy summaries, and research reports for municipal board presentations.
• Stakeholder Support: Prepare briefing materials and visual presentations for planning board meetings, public hearings, and community workshops.

Qualifications

• Current Enrollment: Active student in the MCRP degree program.
• Core Knowledge: Strong foundational understanding of New Jersey land use law, municipal governance, zoning principles, and housing policy.
• Technical & Research Skills: Proficiency in GIS analysis, qualitative/quantitative research methods, and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Communication: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to translate complex statutory concepts into accessible summaries.
• Self-Management: Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently to meet project deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior professional or internship experience in local government, land use consulting, or community development.