Urban Planning Intern

, Iowa

Internship Length: 45 hrs
Office Hours: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Internship Title: Urban Planning Intern (Building Inspection, Engineering and Urban Planning)

Key focus: Understanding the development process from application to final building inspection.

Essential Functions:

Case filing
Posting rezoning signs
Preparing agendas
Drafting rezoning letters
Filing in general information for staff reports
Inspect construction sites with inspectors to confirm minimum code requirements are met for building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, sewer and water installation work

Building Inspection Services is a part of the Development Services Division within Neighborhood and Development Services. Building Inspection Services is responsible for enforcement of all codes and ordinances regulating the protection of the public health, safety and general welfare as it relates to the built environment and maintenance of existing structures. Issuing all permits for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs and signs is one of the key functions of Building Inspection Services.

The Urban Planning office advises the Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Commission, the Council, and the general public on planning and land development issues. Through its work with developers, residents and other city departments, the division encourages orderly growth, redevelopment where appropriate and preservation of historic properties and environmental resources.

Neighborhood & Development Services – General Information

Development Services:

Responsible for facilitating the development process from Comprehensive Planning to Annexation, Zoning and Subdivision, Site Plan, Building Permit, Building Inspections, and Final Certificate of Occupancy. The Division is also responsible for zoning-code-related nuisance inspections and enforcement; local administration of state and federal regulations such as floodplain management regulations; historic preservation programs, administration of the Sign Code, minor modification applications, temporary use permits, and other local permits.

Common Job Titles: Land use Planner, Historic Preservation Planner, Code/Regulations Enforcement Specialist, and Building Inspector.

Neighborhood Services:

Responsible for the administration of various housing services, housing programs and revitalization efforts that focus on sustaining healthy neighborhoods. The division provides housing inspection services, facilitates communication and outreach services to neighborhood associations and coordinates Iowa City's public art and PIN Grant programs. The Division administers federal, state and local programs to primarily benefit low-moderate income residents. The Housing Authority administers approximately 1,300 Housing Choice Vouchers in Johnson County, Iowa County and a portion of Washington County and manages 81 public housing units.

Common Job Titles: Community Development Planner, Housing Inspector, Housing Authority Program Assistant, Program Coordinator, Administrator, Enforcement Specialist, and Grant Administrator.

Metropolitan Planning Organization:

Fulfill state and federal requirements necessary to receive state and federal transportation capital and operating funds; to conduct transportation and traffic studies related to public and private development projects; to provide traffic data collection and analysis services, prepare and administer transportation-related grants; and serve as a body for regional policy and project-related discussions.

Common Job Titles: Transportation Planner.

Sustainability Coordinator - helps ensure that our public services and planning efforts are rooted in sustainable principles. Efforts towards sustainability are also focused in municipal energy savings, community-wide greenhouse gas emissions, collaborating with other city departments on other topics pertaining to sustainability.

THIS DESCRIPTION DOES NOT LIST ALL DUTIES. INTERN MAY BE ASKED TO PERFORM OTHER DUTIES BY THE STAFF OR SUPERVISOR. INTERN WILL BE EVALUATED ON PERFORMANCE OF THE PROJECTS LISTED AS WELL AS INTERACTION WITH EMPLOYEES AND CLIENTS. ON-SITE HOURS WILL BE NEGOTIATED WITH EACH CANDIDATE.

SAFETY EXPECTATIONS, INCLUDING HARASSMENT, SHOULD BE REVIEWED WITH THE HOST.

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