The City of Champaign seeks qualified candidates for the position of Planning Intern in the Planning and Development Department. This is an opportunity to work with practicing planners and gain professional planning experience while concurrently enrolled in a university or college degree program.

Responsibilities of Position

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 for up to 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, for Summer 2025, with the potential to continue as part-time during the 2025-2026 academic year if mutually agreed. The position will begin May 2025.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

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

The salary is $15.00 per hour. Applications must include a cover letter, resume and portfolio of recent work examples via email or postmarked no later than Sunday, March 2, 2025. Please limit portfolio pdf file size to 15MB.

The City’s mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community. The following values guide our work: Personal Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Teamwork, Results. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environment and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume and portfolio of recent work examples to Eric Van Buskirk at eric.vanbuskirk@champaignil.gov. Applicants may also mail or deliver hard copies of application materials to Eric Van Buskirk, Senior Planner, 102 N. Neil St., Champaign, IL, 61820.

The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environment and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Contact the Human Resources Department at (217) 403-8770 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process.

The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, the Illinois WorkNet Center and the City of Champaign City Building.

Our mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community.

These values guide our work:

Personal Integrity

We act in the best interests of the City

We behave in an ethical and legal manner

We are open and honest

We follow through on commitments

We are loyal to the City

Responsibility

We anticipate issues, problems, and opportunities

We take initiative

We act to prevent and solve problems

We take responsibility for the outcome of our actions and decisions

We hold ourselves and others accountable

Respect

We treat others in a fair, courteous, and equitable manner

We actively listen and seek understanding

We provide a direct response

We embrace ethnic and cultural diversity in the community and our workplace

We are positive and cooperative

We are willing to apologize

Teamwork

We know and respect our roles and responsibilities

We ask who needs to be involved and we involve others appropriately

We define and agree upon the goals

We collaborate to achieve organizational goals

We help others accomplish their goals

We share authority, responsibility, and credit

Results

We take pride in our work

We complete assignments and projects on time and within budget

We evaluate outcomes and seek feedback on our performance

We learn from our mistakes

We innovate