ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Community Development Department (CDD) is the planning agency for the City of Cambridge. Our mission is to foster a livable, sustainable, just, and equitable community. CDD has three programmatic divisions - Economic Opportunity & Development, Community Planning & Design, and Zoning & Development – and also encompasses the Housing Department and the Arts Council. Together, we engage and collaborate with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, and residents to make Cambridge a desirable place to live, work, learn, play, and innovate.

The Zoning and Development Division is a team of urban planners performing work in the areas of land use planning and urban development. The division has a Director, a Senior Manager, two Project Planners, two Associate Planners, an Administrative Coordinator, and interns. Specific work areas include:

• Staffing and administering the Cambridge Planning Board
• Coordinating review of major urban development projects
• Providing professional support and advice to the Cambridge City Council and Planning Board in reviewing proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance
• Advancing planning initiatives that result in recommended changes to the Zoning Ordinance
• Providing general information about zoning to residents, property owners, businesses, developers, design professionals, other City officials and departments, and others as needed

More information at http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/zoninganddevelopment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position is a great opportunity if you’re interested in planning, architecture, or real estate development and want first-hand experience in a very busy planning office. As the Zoning and Development Intern, you would have an opportunity to work with our team on a variety of projects. You would also be able to attend internal meetings with other City staff, discussions with developers, and public meetings of the Planning Board and zoning advisory committees. Meetings may be held either remotely via Teams/Zoom or in-person at City Hall or 344 Broadway. The term of this internship is flexible but we find that candidates will get the most out of their experience if they are able to commit to at least six months.

Under the supervision of the Senior Manager for Zoning and Development, the Zoning and Development Intern will be primarily responsible for assisting staff in the day-to-day planning work of the division and performing administrative tasks as needed. The Intern may also receive supervision from other Z&D and City staff, depending on specific work assignments. Specific activities of the Zoning and Development Intern could include:

• Assisting staff in various project review tasks, including the review of special permits, signs, sustainable development standards, and other zoning compliance, as needed.

• Assisting staff in the review of proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.

• Writing memos on development proposals and zoning amendments, as needed.

• Developing materials to communicate information about zoning and development to the public.

• Providing staff support for Planning Board meetings (held most Tuesday evenings), as well as occasional City Council hearings, zoning advisory committee meetings, and public community meetings.

• Making weekly updates to the CDD web site.

• Managing digital data documentation of special permit projects.

• Additional projects may be identified based on the applicant’s skills and interests and the division’s needs

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

This Zoning and Development Intern should be a self-motivated professional with a strong interest in zoning and land use regulation who wants to develop their knowledge and skills in a busy planning office that works on a wide range of urban development issues. We seek candidates with a strong commitment to equity and respect, both in the provision of services and in the workplace. The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds and ideologies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Education and Experience:

• Academic, professional, or lived experience in urban planning, with a focus on land use and development, urban design, zoning, architecture or real estate.

• At least beginner-level understanding of land use planning theory and practice.

• Ability to work with computer software including Adobe and Microsoft, especially PDF, Illustrator or similar, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with Content Management Systems (CMS)-based web sites (e.g., SiteCore), document processing for online posting, and ESRI ArcGIS.

• Experience analyzing, interpreting or administering zoning and/or building regulations.

• Knowledge of current best practices in zoning, land use, and planning.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work involved is primarily indoors in a professional office setting. Standard office environment with fluorescent lighting, air conditioning, and moderate noise level. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy, depending on operational needs.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter