Salary: $15.00 Hourly
Location : 111 Liberty St Suite 100 Columbus, OH
Job Type: Internship
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: PL-2-24
Department: Planning
Opening Date: 02/06/2024
Description

As Central Ohio's regional council, MORPC is an association of cities, villages, townships, counties and regional organizations and serves rural, suburban, and urban areas. We take pride in bringing communities of all sizes and interests together to collaborate on best practices and plan for the future of our growing region. We do this through a variety of programs, services, projects and initiatives - all with the goal of improving the lives of our residents and making Central Ohio stand out on the world stage.
One of Central Ohio's greatest strengths is the diversity of our communities, and to best serve our region, MORPC assertively values diversity and inclusion and strives to reflect those values in our team, our work, and our positive impact for the region. Our work progresses when our team can draw on a wide range of personal experiences and backgrounds, and when each member is open to learning from the experiences of others, both internally and externally. As an equal opportunity employer, we fully support all applicable state and federal laws and regulations and do not discriminate against applicants for employment or employees because of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical conditions, age, disability or other handicap, genetic information, marital/familial status, veteran status, military status, or income or status with regard to public assistance in any aspects of our personnel policies, working conditions, or hiring and recruitment.
To create and nourish a workforce as diverse as the Central Ohio region, MORPC encourages members of groups traditionally underrepresented in local government and professional positions to apply for our open career opportunities.
MORPC recognizes the value of a healthy work/life balance for our team members and as such, we provide a variety of benefits to promote that balance. Eligible employees receive a free system-wide transit pass and discounted access to other alternative transportation modes to provide options for commuting to work. MORPC encourages opportunities for career advancement through generous tuition and professional development incentives, leadership programs, and participation in local and national organizations. For eligible permanent positions, MORPC also offers flexible schedules and remote work options as well as paid time off and holidays. MORPC employees may also be eligible for excellent health, vision and dental insurance, employee assistance programs, employer paid short-term & long-term disability coverage, employer paid life insurance in the amount of $50,000 coverage, participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, plus two Deferred Compensation Plans that employees can opt into for additional retirement funding. More info can be found in the benefits link within the online posting.
Examples of Duties

The Water Planning Intern is a student position utilizing a combination of technical expertise, creativity, a collaborative spirit, and self-motivation. The Water Planning Intern will assist and support MORPC's water resources program and will work under the direct supervision of the Water and Natural Resources Program Manager.
This position is responsible for supporting MORPC's water resources initiatives through best practices research, collecting and reviewing data, conducting stakeholder outreach and education, and creating documents and presentations. Activities will support Water Quality Management Planning (or 208 planning), the Sustaining Scioto Board and related initiatives, and the development of a regional water plan. Key strengths of the Intern include strong research and writing skills, organizational and time management skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a passion for collaboration and innovation.
The following are examples of tasks to be performed.

• Conduct research and develop documents relevant to program areas, including water and wastewater infrastructure planning, stormwater management with green infrastructure, water quality protection, and climate change impacts on water quality and quantity.
• Request and/or obtain third-party data and evaluate for completeness.
• Assist with planning and executing educational programs and outreach activities.
• Coordinate with MORPC members and partners to gather information and input on key water planning activities.
• Collaborate with MORPC staff in the Planning Department and in other departments.
• Provide responsive and professional customer service.
• Actively support MORPC's Affirmative Action Plan, Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, Diversity program, Code of Ethics and other MORPC policies.
• Follow established agency practices for maintaining the security and integrity of sensitive or confidential information.

These duties are illustrative only and you may perform some or all of these duties or other job-related duties as assigned.
Typical Qualifications

Strong organizational and time management skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a passion for collaboration and innovation are a must. Working knowledge of MS Office 365 suite is essential.
The position requires research and writing skills, and an understanding of the subject matter as it relates to one or more topic areas such as Central Ohio watersheds, water resources management, stormwater management, and water and wastewater infrastructure planning. Experience performing qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis also desired.
This is a team-oriented position, although the applicant must possess the ability to work independently. A strong work ethic and excellent interpersonal communication skills are a must. Commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the region is required
Acceptable Experience and Training:
This position is open to undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a course of study in Environmental Science or Policy, Water or Natural Resources Management, Hydrology, Environmental Engineering, Regional Planning, Geography, Geographic Information Science, or other related disciplines.
This is a part-time position at 20 hours per week. MORPC offers a hybrid work schedule. As such, candidates will be expected to work in person at the MORPC office at certain days. Compensation is $15 per hour.
Supplemental Information

MORPC is an EOE/AAP employer. Please apply online at or you may mail a resume to or complete an application at MORPC, 111 Liberty St., Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215 ATTN: PL-2-24
Due to the high number of expected applicants, we cannot accept phone call inquiries.