MC Planning Board Intern II

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission - MC Commissioner; Wheaton (MD); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

The Montgomery County Planning Board is seeking a highly motivated graduate Intern for the 2026-2027 academic year with interests in urban/community planning, land use and real estate development, public policy, and communications. Based in Wheaton, MD, the internship runs Sept 8, 2026–May 14, 2027, at roughly 20 hours per week, paying $22–$24 per hour.

The intern supports community engagement, meetings, public policy, and communications, with limited telework and no benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and enrollment in a Master's program for Fall 2026.
• GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; if Fall 2026 is first graduate semester, GPA applies to undergraduate.
• Experience with MS Office; Wordpress and Adobe CC preferred; strong communication with project managers.

Responsibilities

• Community Engagement: respond to resident inquiries via email/phone; assist with events and public testimony.
• Planning Board Meetings: support preparation of public records; assist Open Meetings Act compliance.
• Public Policy: monitor state bills; draft comments; assist with testimony preparation.
• Communications: draft social media content and review transmittals for completeness.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree program (Fall 2026)

Tools

Wordpress

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

Montgomery County Planning Board Intern II

The Montgomery County Planning Board is seeking a highly motivated graduate Intern for the 2026-2027 academic year with an interest and anticipated careers in the following areas:

• Urban/Community Planning

• Land Use and/or Real Estate Development

• Public Policy

• Communications

The Montgomery County Planning Board is part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M‑NCPPC), a 98‑year‑old, nationally recognized organization serving the vibrant and culturally diverse populations of Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties on the border of Washington, D.C. The Montgomery County Planning Board works to manage physical growth, plan communities, protect and steward natural, cultural and historical resources; and provide leisure and recreational experiences. The Board meets these goals by:

• Preparing master plans that provide a 15‑to 20‑year vision for change for County Council consideration and approval,

• Reviewing and considering approval of preliminary plans, site plans and other development applications,

• Advising the Council on changes to the Zoning Ordinance,

• Reviewing and making recommendations to the County Hearing Examiner on applications for zoning map amendments,

• Making recommendations to the Board of Appeals on applications for special exceptions and variances,

• Advising local, state and federal agencies on their construction projects in Montgomery County,

• Providing feedback to elected bodies on proposed changes to land‑use laws and regulations that affect the county, and

• Reviewing and approving park plans.

The Planning Board Intern will be a key member of our 4‑person administrative team, and will support staff in the following areas:

• Community Engagement, including responding to resident and public inquiries via email and phone by providing timely and appropriate information; helping to plan events such as speaker series and joint board meetings, providing test sessions to prepare people for providing public testimony, and assisting with gathering materials upon receipt of a Maryland Public Information Act request.

• Planning Board Meetings, including serving as a backup clerk for hearings, assisting to compile correspondence for the public record, and support compliance with Open Meetings Act requirements.

• Public Policy, including monitoring state‑level bills, conducting research, preparing written and/or oral comments for testimony, and supporting responses to inquiries from legislative and executive offices.

• Communications, including drafting social media content, assisting in preparing testimony, and reviewing transmittals for completeness.

Additionally, as we are a small team, general administrative duties may also be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Student who has received a Bachelor's Degree and will be enrolled in a Master's Degree Program pursuing a degree in urban/community planning, public policy, communications, or a field of study related to the discipline of the area to which assigned in the Fall 2026. Students must have at least a 3 GPA (on a 4.0 scale). If Fall 2026 will be your first semester at the graduate level, the GPA requirement applies to undergraduate studies.

Additional Qualifications:

In addition to the minimum qualifications listed above, the selected intern should have experience using Microsoft Office. Additional experience with Wordpress and Adobe Creative Cloud is preferred. We are looking for someone with the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with project managers.

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

• This position does not provide benefits.

• Relocation and housing are not provided.

• A complete background investigation will be completed prior to hiring.

Internship Dates & Additional Information:

• The internship will run from approximately September 8, 2026 to May 14, 2027, with an option to extend into the summer.

• The projected pay for this position is from $22 - $24 per hour depending on level and qualifications.

• The intern is expected to work an average of 20 hours per week.

Where we work:

We are conveniently located in downtown Wheaton, MD, and easily accessible to Wheaton Metro Station (red line) and several bus lines. Enjoy our bike-friendly environment and the proximity to Washington, DC, just minutes away. Commuter reimbursement is available. Learn about our LEED Platinum-rated headquarters building!

The position will be based in our offices, with very limited telework hours available.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1).

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.