Planning & Community Development Intern

City of College Park; College Park (MD); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Hands-on experience

Professional development

Job summary

The City of College Park is offering a Planning & Community Development Intern position to support municipal planning, sustainability, and related initiatives. The role provides hands-on experience in grant research and administration, community development, public park design, and more for students in urban planning, public policy, environmental studies, and related fields.

Ideal candidates are current college students or graduate students with strong research, writing, and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in college/university, preferably junior or senior level, or pursuing graduate studies.
• Interest or coursework in urban planning, community development, sustainability, environmental studies, public policy, public administration, geography, landscape architecture or related field.
• Strong research, writing, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• GIS, data analysis, grant writing, procurement, project management or sustainability experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support Sustainable Communities and LEED for Cities initiatives through research, data collection, documentation, and tracking.
• Research grant and funding opportunities and assist with applications, reports, and tracking.
• Conduct research on planning, sustainability, community development, and local government best practices.
• Collect, organize, and analyze planning and community data.
• Assist with reports, presentations, maps, community outreach, procurement, project management, open space design and special projects.
• Maintain project files and research materials.
• Work independently while collaborating with City staff.

Skills

Research

Writing

Analytical

Organizational

Communication

MS Office

GIS

Data analysis

Grant writing

Procurement

Project management

Sustainability

Education

Currently enrolled student

Junior or senior undergrad or graduate studies

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Planning & Community Development Intern

The City of College Park is seeking a motivated Planning & Community Development Intern to support the City's Department of Planning & Community Development. This paid internship provides an opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in municipal planning, sustainability, grant research and administration, community development, public park design, and other initiatives that help advance the City's goals. This is an excellent opportunity for a student interested in urban planning, community development, sustainability, public administration, public policy, environmental studies, landscape architecture, or a related field to gain practical experience working in local government.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the City's Sustainable Communities and LEED for Cities initiatives through research, data collection, documentation, and tracking.
• Research grant and funding opportunities and assist with applications, reports, and tracking.
• Conduct research on planning, sustainability, community development, and local government best practices.
• Collect, organize, and analyze planning and community data.
• Assist with reports, presentations, maps, community outreach, procurement, project management, open space design and special projects.
• Maintain project files and research materials.
• Work independently while collaborating with City staff.

Qualifications:

• Current college/university student, preferably junior or senior level, or pursuing graduate studies.
• Interest or coursework in urban planning, community development, sustainability, environmental studies, public policy, public administration, geography, landscape architecture or a related field.
• Strong research, writing, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• GIS, data analysis, grant writing, procurement, project management or sustainability experience is a plus.

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in a college or university, preferably at junior or senior level, or pursuing graduate-level studies.
• Ability to work on‑site at College Park City Hall or other designated City locations.
• Ability to work approximately 14–20 hours per week, with a flexible schedule based on the student's availability and departmental needs.

Benefits:

• Paid, flexible internship experience in local government.
• Hands‑on experience with planning, sustainability, LEED for Cities, grants, and community development.
• Professional development and exposure to municipal projects and career opportunities.

Compensation:

• $20.00/hr. for Undergraduate Students
• $25.00/hr. for Graduate Students

A maximum of 500 hours is allotted for this internship.

Applications received by August 23, 2026, will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be considered if the position remains open after the initial review.