Planning Intern

City-of-Champaign,-I; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Part time

Job summary

City of Champaign is seeking a Planning Intern to support the Planning and Development Department with data, design, and policy work. The role offers hands-on experience while you attend university, shaping sustainable, livable communities.

You’ll assist with surveys, mapping, graphics, outreach, and zoning support, gaining professional planning exposure in a collaborative team environment during the 2026-2027 academic year, beginning October 2026.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in a university or college-level urban planning program.
• Understanding and ability to use Adobe Creative Cloud software applications like Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop to create planning-related graphics, maps and videos.
• Understanding and ability to use ESRI ArcGIS for data analysis and cartography.
• Understanding and ability to use SketchUp Pro to create 3D graphics and site models.

Responsibilities

• Assist with surveying community conditions related to planning and zoning.
• Prepare maps and graphics to support current and long-range planning projects.
• Support community outreach and zoning enforcement activities.
• Provide general customer service support in the Planning Department.

Skills

Planning concepts

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Education

Current enrollment in urban planning program

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

ESRI ArcGIS

SketchUp Pro

Job description

Are you ready to bring your classroom knowledge to life? The Planning Intern works alongside professionals in our Planning and Development Department to help shape sustainable, livable communities through data, design, and policy. This is an opportunity to gain professional planning experience and turn your ideas into impact while attending your university or college degree program.

Planning Interns work on a variety of planning projects within the Planning and Development Department. Interns assist with surveying community conditions related to planning and zoning, preparing maps, graphics to support current and long-range planning projects, assisting with community outreach and zoning enforcement, and providing general customer service support in the Planning Department.

The position is in-person and part-time during the 2026-2027 academic year if mutually agreed. The position will begin October 2026.

• Current enrollment in a university or college-level degree program.
• Understanding of fundamental concepts and practices of urban planning, urban development and municipal zoning.
• Effective interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team.

• Current enrollment in an accredited university or college level urban planning program.
• Understanding and ability to use Adobe Creative Cloud software applications like Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop to create planning-related graphics, maps and videos.
• Understanding and ability to use ESRI ArcGIS for data analysis and cartography.
• Understanding and ability to use SketchUp Pro to create 3D graphics and site models.

The salary is $19.17 per hour.