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Category: Government and Public Administration

Type: Internship

Location: Virtual and In-Person in Richland

Application Deadline: Jun. 1, 2023

Starts: Jun. 1, 2023

Available Positions: 2

Salary Range: $25.00 - $25.00

$ Paid
 Full Time
 Part Time

Description

Click Here to Apply

Join our amazing team and gain the experience needed to meet your future goals.  The Benton-Franklin Council of Government’s mission is to convene local governments to collaboratively plan,  fund,  and administer solutions to shared community needs.  Our core values are to be reliable,  responsive,  welcoming,  motivated,  and intentional.

POSITION DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

Enhancing mobility while addressing congestion and building safe,  vibrant communities is critical for our region.  The Benton Franklin Council of Governments is working to implement the coordinated transportation strategies,  policies,  and actions of the region’s long-range plan for growth and the Metropolitan Transportation Plan.

The BFCOG is seeking summer Transportation Interns to join the Planning Department to support BFCOG initiatives,  including transportation safety,  congestion management,  land use planning,  and transit-oriented development.  This is an opportunity to gain experience working in a dynamic,  multidisciplinary,  and collaborative department.  The internship will include outreach to local jurisdictions,  collecting and analyzing data,  and reporting results.  The internship will provide opportunities for collaboration with public sector partners,  application of technical expertise and research,  and exposure to various municipalities and partners working to address regional transportation issues.

BENEFITS INCLUDE

  • Available Paid Holidays –  Memorial Day,  Labor Day,  &  4th of July
  • Accrual of up to 5 Paid Vacation Days
  • Successful Interns are guaranteed consideration for future employment opportunities with BFCOG.
  • Hybrid/Remote Work Opportunities
  • Flexible work schedules
  • BFCOG-sponsored training opportunities

BFCOG is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligible Employer.  Learn more at:  https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS           

The ideal candidate has a demonstrated interest in planning through lived experience,  coursework,  or past professional experience.  This is an opportunity to grow and learn as an emerging planning professional.  The ideal candidate will have the ability to:

  • Collect,  process,  and analyze quantitative and qualitative data.
  • Use standard software packages such as Excel,  Word,  and PowerPoint to analyze and present data.
  • Research and assess various transportation strategies and implementation actions.
  • Assist with research related to transportation best practices in peer regions.
  • Provide support for meetings and events by organizing logistics,  preparing materials,  and assisting in registration and conduct of meetings.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Typical ways in which incumbents acquire the necessary knowledge,  skills,  and abilities include:

  • Be a current student in transportation,  urban,  environmental planning,  data science,  sociology,  geography,  public administration,  engineering,  or related fields.
  • Or at least one year of experience in planning and/or a related field.
  • Or any combination of lived experience or education experience in a related field that would provide the applicant with the desired skills,  knowledge,  and ability required to perform the job.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience,  including volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g.,  Peace Corps,  AmeriCorps)  and other organizations (e.g.,  professional,  philanthropic,  religious,  spiritual,  community,  student,  social).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies,  knowledge,  and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience,  including volunteer experience.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE,  SKILLS,  AND ABILITIES

Successful candidates should also possess the following:

  • Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills
  • Effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to work with the general public,  professionals,  and agency staff
  • Interest in the local and regional planning context in the Benton Franklin Council of Governments’  region
  • Having some experience with ArcGIS,  databases tools,  Tableau,  web mapping,  ArcGIS Online,  OpenStreetMap,  and web-based visualization packages would be a plus