Planning Intern (Administrative/Graduate Intern) (Part-time)

City of Tustin; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Tustin's Planning Division is seeking Planning Interns to join a small, hands-on team. This year‑round, part‑time opportunity offers exposure to development review, research, public engagement, GIS, and daily municipal planning activities.

Under supervision, interns will assist with code interpretation, data collection, GIS deliverables, and customer service at the counter and by phone. Applicants must submit transcripts; hours are limited to under 1,000 per fiscal year.

Qualifications

• Undergrad senior or graduate student or recent graduate with planning or GIS coursework.
• Strong communication, customer service, and teamwork skills.
• Interest in research, public speaking, graphic design, GIS, and project management.

Responsibilities

• Assist in interpretation of municipal code and drafting amendments.
• Support current and long-range planning projects and public engagement.
• Prepare GIS deliverables and public-facing graphics.
• Assist with plan reviews and field observations at project sites.
• Provide front-counter and phone assistance to customers.

Skills

Communication skills

Public engagement

GIS

Research

Public speaking

Graphic design

Project management

Education

Undergraduate or graduate student (current)

Bachelor's degree (or progress toward)

Tools

GIS software

Job description

Are you an undergraduate senior, recent graduate, or current graduate student looking to gain real-world experience in municipal planning? The City of Tustin's Planning Division is seeking to hire at least two motivated individuals to join its team as Planning Interns. This year-round, part-time opportunity allows you to work with experienced planners while gaining hands-on experience in development review, research, public engagement, GIS, and day-to-day municipal planning activities.

Under direct supervision, the Planning Interns will perform a variety of entry-level assignments supporting current and long-range planning projects, public engagement efforts, and daily operations of the Division.

To be considered, applicants are required to submit either an unofficial transcript or a scanned copy of an official transcript.

Given that this is a part-time, at-will, non-benefitted position, each Planning Intern position will be limited to fewer than 1,000 hours per fiscal year. Hours worked may vary significantly from week to week.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

The ideal candidate is a current undergraduate senior or graduate student, or a recently graduated student, who has taken coursework in Urban and Regional Planning, Urban Studies, Public Administration, and/or Geography/Geographic Information Systems (GIS). A competitive candidate will bring strong communication and customer service skills with experience or interest in areas such as research, public speaking, graphic design, GIS, and project management. A successful Planning Intern is curious, dependable, empathetic, eager to learn, and willing to take initiative.

Planning Interns will assist professional planners with a variety of assignments, including interpreting the municipal code and helping draft code amendments, researching planning practices, assisting customers at the public counter and on the phone, preparing GIS deliverables and public-facing graphics, assisting with construction plan review, and supporting other current and long-range planning activities. Planning Interns will also travel to project sites and locations throughout the City to conduct field observations, post public notices, and perform other planning-related assignments.

THE DEPARTMENT:

The Community Development Department includes Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, Historic Preservation, Housing, and Economic Development divisions. The Department supports the community's overall well-being with initiatives that encourage economic growth, improve quality of life, and facilitate responsible development through planning, housing programs, business recruitment, code enforcement, and building permits, all while considering the needs of Tustin residents and businesses.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Application materials will be carefully reviewed to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Candidates who are determined by subject matter experts to be the best qualified for the vacancies will be invited to a structured panel interview the week of December 1, 2026. Finalists will participate in follow-up interviews the week of December 7, 2026. Dates are tentative and may change if necessary.

All candidates who pass the panel interview will earn placement on the eligible list, which is valid for one (1) year and may be used for current and future vacancies in the job classification.

As a part-time Planning Intern, incumbents will perform a wide variety of duties. Examples of these duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs research and analysis on assigned projects, prepares reports to summarize findings, and makes recommendations for appropriate action; prepares visual aids such as charts, graphs, and presentation slides
• Provides verbal or written information in response to inquiries and requests from other employees and the public; provides technical and administrative assistance
• Maintains and updates a variety of departmental files, records, and databases; compiles data and prepares reports
• Reviews applications, records, and files for completeness and conformance with established regulations and procedures
• Assists department employees in the performance of assigned tasks
• Under staff direction, takes a lead role in linking historical building permit records to a public-facing GIS interface

A combination of education, experience, and training that has provided the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities is required for entry into the classification. A typical combination includes:

Administrative Intern

Graduation from high school and current enrollment in an accredited college or university in pursuit of an associate or bachelor's degree program, with major coursework in public administration, urban and regional planning, urban studies, GIS, or a field related to the area of assignment (or completion of such degree within the past three years).

Graduate Intern

Bachelor's degree with major coursework in urban and regional planning, urban studies, public administration, GIS, or a field related to the area of assignment. Enrollment in a graduate degree program in one of these fields (or completion of such degree within the past three years) is highly desirable.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record.

Special Requirements:

Satisfactory results from a background investigation, physical examination and administrative screening.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

To view the knowledge, skills, & abilities expected of the position, please follow the link here.

Information on the physical demands, mental demands, and work environment for the position can be found by following the link here.

The City of Tustin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.