Regional Planning Intern - Fall 2026

Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission; Worcester (MA); Hybrid; USD 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) seeks qualified interns to assist in diverse regional and municipal planning projects, including master plans, housing, climate resilience, zoning, economic development, and GIS mapping. Interns will work with staff on funding, data collection, research, engagement, and report design.

This 12-week internship runs from mid-September 2026, offering $16.00–$19.00 per hour, with mileage reimbursement and 10–15 hours of work weekly.

Qualifications

• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and writing skills.
• Familiarity with MS Office and Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Comfort with data collection and analysis.
• Experience with GIS is preferred.
• Candidates with a valid driver’s license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support a wide variety of planning initiatives at regional and municipal levels.
• Assist with master planning, housing, and economic development studies.
• Contribute to data services and GIS tasks.
• Coordinate meetings and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Help with communications, social media, newsletters, and reports.

Skills

Strong communication

Organizational

Analytical

Writing

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in planning or related field

Tools

MS Office

Adobe Creative Cloud

GIS

Job description

The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) is seeking qualified Interns to assist in several projects of a diverse nature. The intern will have the opportunity to participate in regional and municipal planning work. This internship is a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with a dynamic team on a variety of exciting projects including long-range master plans, housing production plans, regional plan on climate pollution reduction, green communities program support, hazard mitigation plans, municipal vulnerability preparedness plans, zoning bylaw amendments, economic development studies, public engagement activities, open space and recreation studies, grant administration support, and website and report design.

About CMRPC

CMRPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in southern Central Massachusetts. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those who live and work in the region. Join our team with supportive colleagues making real impacts in the communities of Central Massachusetts. CMRPC supports the complete team member as we work on meaningful, innovative, and exciting projects while respecting and supporting the individual’s wellness and a balanced and fulfilling work life.

CMRPC offers a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment, and a commitment to ongoing professional development. We take pride in the diversity of our workforce and encourage all qualified people to apply. CMRPC is an affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religious creed, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran’s status and/or ancestry. Reasonable accommodation will be provided where needed.

CMRPC’s offices include over 50 full-time employees located in the Worcester Central Business District in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office, LEED-certified building. Free parking is provided in the attached garage. For further details on CMRPC, please visit www.cmrpc.org.

Typical Duties

Contributing to the support of a wide variety of planning initiatives and regional and municipal activities. This will likely include participation in master planning, digital equity, economic development, climate resiliency initiatives, open space and recreation planning, trail pre-development and GIS/mapping.

• Work with staff to seek and secure funding resources for our communities.
• Contribution to community development, housing, and economic development plans including contextual data collection, research, analysis, community engagement, meeting participation, and goal, objective and action strategy articulation.
• Contributing to data services and GIS services.
• Resource development related to topical efforts to benefit the region and its communities.
• Working with staff and local officials to identify community development and resiliency needs and opportunities and short-term strategies to address them.
• Meeting coordination including marketing, identifying appropriate facilities, registration of attendees, and other logistics.
• Development of community engagement tools such as online surveys.
• Contributing to project or organization social media platforms, websites, newsletters, and informational booklets.
• Assisting with other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Undergraduate juniors and seniors and/or Master’s level students in programs such as community development and planning, geography, public administration, public policy, political science, environmental studies, or another related field are encouraged to apply.

The successful applicant will demonstrate all or most of the following skills:

• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and writing skills, particularly for report preparation and editing.
• Familiarity with MS Office and Adobe Creative Cloud
• Comfort with data collection and analysis
• Experience with GIS, and overall organization are preferred.
• Candidates with a valid driver’s license and reliable access to a vehicle are preferred.

This position will begin in mid-September 2026 and run for approximately 12 weeks. The pay range for this position is $16.00 – $19.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications and includes mileage reimbursement for field work. Interns are expected to work 10-15 hours per week. An opportunity may exist to extend the internship through the spring academic term.

Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA and a valid driver’s license. While CMRPC interns have the ability to work remotely in part, all interns must be available for in-person meetings within the region as needed, and it is expected that staff be available for in-office work as is appropriate for their work assignments. Interns should have reliable internet access if working from home and feel comfortable working independently with regular check-ins from supervising staff. Interested applicants should submit their cover letter and resume by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.