Gain the experience to catapult you into your planning career; Develop professional writing, research and presentation skills; Learn about the many stakeholders and participants in the city planning process, participate from a City perspective, and gain political astuteness.

The City of Berkeley seeks interns with big ideas and a capacity for details; a desire to learn and the potential to work evening meetings; with solid basics and an interest in honing your skills.

Typical Internship work:
• Research and write reports on urban planning issues: development projects; long range policy plans and current planning topics
• Participate in meeting preparations; agenda materials development; note taking
• Co-author staff reports and letters to commissions and citizens
• Develop and research zoning amendments and general plan changes
• Shadow senior level staff and learn planning practice basics
• Utilize graphic skills to create informative maps and other materials
• Utilize design skills to review development projects of all scales
• Interface with numerous other City Departments involved with planning

What you come away with:
• Practical skills to serve you in both public and private sector jobs
• Experience working with software programs such as GIS
• Resume builders and examples of professional level work
• Networking and contacts with city staff, consultants and the community

The internship is available to current students or recent graduates. This is a paid internship with a maximum of 19 hours per week. Duration is a minimum of six (6) months, and can last longer.

Qualifications: The ideal candidates will be undergraduate or graduate students in Urban Studies, American Studies, City Planning, Architecture, Historic Preservation, Public Policy, Geography, or other related fields; possess excellent organizational and communication skills; be proficient with basic Microsoft Office, graphics, and GIS mapping programs; and be able to work independently and follow through with assigned tasks.

Landmarks Preservation Commission Internship Position
Duties: Under the lead of the Landmarks Preservation Commission Secretary, the Intern will assist the Commission with the administration of the City’s Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. Duties include attending the monthly Landmarks Preservation Commission meetings and subcommittee meetings; preparing Commission agendas and packets, and recording and finalizing meeting minutes; reviewing applications and designation proposals of landmark structures and sites; drafting staff reports, Notices of Decision, Public Hearing Notices, and letters of correspondence; researching special historic preservation projects; updating templates and brochures; organizing and maintaining files; updating and maintaining the City landmarks database; posting notices and organizing subcommittee meetings; and assisting with policy for and program development of historic preservation. The LPC Intern must be able to prepare, set-up, record, and close evening LPC meetings the first Thursday of each month from roughly 6:00 – 11:00 p.m.

Contact: Interested individuals should submit a cover letter, resume and one writing sample (five pages max) to Sally Zarnowitz, ARCH, LEED AP Senior Historic Preservation Planner at szarnowitz@cityofberkeley.info