The Chatham County Planning Department is seeking a Planning intern for the Summer of 2024. The internship offers insight and practical knowledge related to multiple facets of the planning profession including, current planning, long range planning, transportation, conservation, and resiliency. The intern will work on various planning projects including action items related to the Plan Chatham Comprehensive Plan, Plan Moncure Small Area Plan, Recode Chatham Unified Development Ordinance, and provide support to a team of planners on their respective projects that include rezonings and major subdivisions, text amendments, conservation initiatives, and transportation projects. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to work on GIS projects as well. They may be expected to attend meetings and present project findings to the Planning team and other interested parties.
As a Planning Intern with the Chatham County Planning Department, you will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced planners on a wide range of projects aimed at improving Chatham County while preserving the rural character. This internship will provide you with hands-on experience in urban planning while learning more about how County government functions. You will be an integral part of our team, assisting with various aspects of current and long-range planning projects.
An ideal candidate will be an undergraduate or graduate student who has a strong desire to learn more about planning, assist creatively in problem solving, and good knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of applications. The intern will work both independently and as part of a team in a professional office environment.
Terms & Compensation
The term of this internship is for the 2024 Summer. The internship will range from May to August 2024, but exact dates are flexible. The expected schedule will be approximately 15-20 hours per week. The hours each week can be flexible, but they will be completed from our office in Pittsboro. Specific arrangements will be made upon hiring.
The Planning Department Main Office is located at 80-A East Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312 and is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.
Compensation is $12.00 to $15.00 per hour based on experience. A computer and any necessary supplies will be provided to complete assignments.
The Planning intern will report directly to the Assistant Planning Director. This position is a temporary/seasonal position. This position will NOT be eligible for benefits, paid leave time (vacation, sick, holiday) nor participation in the retirement system.
At any point during the internship, Chatham County reserves the right to dismiss an intern if it is determined the intern is not adequately prepared to perform the functions required of the internship.Must be enrolled in planning, geography, public administration, or similar program at an accredited college or university with completion of one year (normally 30 credit hours) toward a bachelor's degree.
Preference will be given to applicants with experience in the following areas:

• General knowledge of urban planning practices
• Experience with land use, GIS data, and policy. 
• Prior experience working in an office setting. 
• Proficient in ArcGIS

Physical Requirements
This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires using hands to handle or feel, frequently requires sitting and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching with hands and arms, smelling, pushing, pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; work requires vocal communication to express or exchange ideas orally; work requires hearing to perceive information at normal spoken levels.