Geospatial Research Assistant – Internship

Overview

ESI seeks one (1) graduate or undergraduate geospatial research assistants for the summer semester to support a joint effort with the Penn Institute for Urban Research at the University of Pennsylvania to construct a national dataset of local land use/zoning regulations.

Responsibilities

• Clean, organize, and manipulate spatial data from local governments in R and GIS
• Perform spatial joins to combine spatial datasets
• Review spatial data for completeness and accuracy
• Ensure timely data collection
• Correspond with local government employees as needed

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated competence with R and GIS applications using geospatial functions and datasets
• Ability to understand and execute existing programming scripts and suggest modifications and necessary
• Self-starter, internally motivated
• Highly detail-oriented
• Thrives in collaborative, project-oriented settings with small groups of professionals, yet maintains ability to work independently
• Possess strong organizational and time management skills

Useful, but Not Necessary Qualifications (i.e., applicants lacking these qualifications are still encouraged to apply!)

• Familiarity with municipal legal codes, such as zoning ordinances
• Familiarity with online mapping tools is a plus, but not required
• Currently pursuing a degree in economics, real estate, urban planning, public policy, geospatial analytics, or other related field
• Interest in or experience with urban economics, land use regulations, or housing is a plus

Benefits of Internship

• A project-based and team-oriented work culture
• Exposure to many of the important urban economic and land-use related issues confronting the United States
• Experience working on a large, data-driven project
• The opportunity to learn from the experience and expertise of the partners and consultants
• Strong organizational connection to local universities and colleges

Particulars of Employment

• Internship dates: May/June through August 2023. We will work the selected candidate to set dates upon acceptance.
• Required work commitment: 20-35 hours per week. Applicants should make clear their expected weekly commitment in their cover letter.
• Dress: Business casual
• Interns are required to work most of their committed hours at our office at 1435 Walnut Street due to technical requirements of the work.

Compensation:

• $20 per hour (graduate)
• $15 per hour (undergraduate)

How to Apply:
Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter by e-mail to freddiejob@econsultsolutions.com, attn: David Stanek.

The subject line of the email should include: “Geospatial Research Assistant”