Overview

Position Summary

The Westchester County Department of Planning offers opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to serve their local community and gain hands-on experience working in one of the department’s five divisions: Design, Environmental, Housing/Community Development, Land Use, and Transportation. Interns are expected to submit a final report and presentation upon completion of their internship outlining their major achievements.

Responsibilities

  • Source spatial, quantitative, and qualitative data
  • Produce and manage maps from various datasets using manual and automated processes
  • Process and analysis large datasets
  • Assist with basic spatial analysis tasks such as spatial joins, buffers, and layer creation
  • Support with data management and validation
  • Document methodology utilized for analysis
  • Work on redevelopment, complete streets, and green streets plans
  • Maintain file structure/directory when working on or creating projects
  • Ensure color contrast accessibility when possible
  • Offer new or alternative ideas, solutions, and methodologies

Skills & Qualifications

General:

  • Current undergraduate or graduate student or recent graduate
  • Available to work 35 hours per week, M-F
  • Valid Driver’s License preferred
  • Excellent communication skills, data interpretation, and analytical skills

Design Division:

Applicants must be enrolled in a Landscape Architecture program from an accredited school and have experience with AutoCAD. Interns will prepare construction documents for Streetscapes, parks, and/or shared use paths.

Environmental Division:

Applicants should have experience with ArcGIS applications, conducting field work in various weather conditions, understanding food systems and agriculture, managing large data sets, and an understanding of land use practices and storm water management techniques is a plus. Occasional weekend work may be required. Excellent communication skills required.

Housing and Community Development Division:

Interns will evaluate rehabilitation applications and affordable housing developments. Interns will participate with site visits and inspections of properties receiving funds under the Community Development Block Grant, Lead Safe Westchester and Landlord Tenant Assistance Programs.

Land Use Division: 

Applicants should have experience with Microsoft Excel and ArcGIS. Interns will assist with updating land use data and conduct outreach to municipalities about Census data.

Transportation Division: 

Applicants should have experience with MicrosoftExcel and ArcGIS. Interns will review municipal complete streets policies and projects; and collect data and perform site surveys at bus stops.

Work Environment

This position has an expected weekly commitment of 35 hours per week Monday through Friday and allows for up to one remote work day per week pending supervisor approval. Depending on the division, travel to offsite locations may be required.

Salary & Benefits

This position has a pay rate of $18/hour and offers internship credit if applicable. Benefits include networking with planning professionals, as well as professional development days and training.

Applications

To apply, please email your resume to wcdp@westchestercountyny.gov and include your name and the division(s) for which you are applying in the subject line (i.e. “Applicant Name, Design Internship”). The application deadline is April 1st, 2025.

To apply for this job email your details to WCDP@WESTCHESTERCOUNTYNY.GOV

About Westchester County Department of Planning

The Planning Department conducts a comprehensive work program and shapes and influences growth and development in Westchester County in order to improve quality of life and protect the environment, resulting in more livable and sustainable communities.

Three of the five specialized sections of the department – Land Use and Development, Housing and Environmental Planning – focus on the initiatives that carry out this mission. They utilize the technical expertise of the department’s two other sections – Design and Administration – to produce quality products and plans in the most cost-effective manner for county residents.

Activities within each section focus on the pattern of development, the natural environment and ways in which buildings, transportation and open space can be shaped or utilized to achieve a physical environment that fosters smart growth for Westchester County. The department staff works closely with other county departments, elected and appointed officials and staff of the 45 municipalities and private and non-profit businesses and organizations.

The work program includes activities that are mandated by the county charter, New York State and the federal governments. These include the review of certain proposed land use and zoning actions by municipalities, review of county capital projects and the environmental review (SEQR or NEPA) of all county projects and legislative actions.