Community Engagement Intern

Description

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is excited to announce an internship program for students enrolled in programs in urban planning, community engagement, communications, public administration and related fields at Massachusetts state colleges and universities. The program, open to all qualified applicants, seeks to develop a pipeline of talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds into the urban and regional planning fields. We encourage students from a broad spectrum of backgrounds who reflect the diversity of the 101 communities we serve. 

MAPC is seeking a student intern to assist with developing and updating the Community Engagement Department training materials. The training materials help us better support and initiate the leadership capacity of municipal leaders and staff, advisory groups, and organizations based within communities to meaningfully engage stakeholders in planning to build their engagement skills. The intern will also participate in the weekly outreach and engagement activities of the Community Engagement Department, as well as virtual event support as needed. This intern will also support in creating a comprehensive Community Engagement glossary of terms and provide recommendations on how the department can incorporate Charettes as an engagement strategy.  This opportunity offers the chance to gain practical skills in a specific discipline and insight into current engagement practices and what a regional planning agency does.
 
About MAPC:
MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities are sustainable development, regional collaboration, and fostering an equitable and resilient region.  We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 100 full-time employees located in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office.

Interns will be working remotely, and will not be expected to come into the office regularly. Candidates must reside in Massachusetts while they are working remotely. 

MAPC strongly supports the professional development of each and every staff person, believing their growth to be consistent with the best interests of MAPC and the region. We encourage all our staff to develop new ideas to make MAPC’s planning and policy work more relevant and impactful, and to adapt to changing times.
This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone who lives and works in Greater Boston. For more information about MAPC or MetroCommon2050, please visit www.mapc.org 
 
About the Department: 
The Community Engagement Department is dedicated to equitable civic engagement and dynamic public participation practices. It ensures that under-represented populations are engaged in the planning process by providing funding and support to municipalities and MAPC project managers, convening practitioners, sharing emerging practices and expanding local capacity. All of the Department‘s work is guided by values of equity, accountability, empowerment, and accessibility. The Community Engagement Department is made up of a Director, a Community Engagement Manager, three community engagement staff and on occasion interns. The Community Engagement Intern will report to the Director of Community Engagement. Please visit MAPC's Community Engagement webpage for more information on the Department's work.

Responsibilities (including but not limited to)

• Review and update existing training materials currently available;
• Research and propose content material for training materials;
• Conduct one-on-one- with department teams to ensure materials align with the work in the department;
• Create a list of glossary of terms used in community engagement;
• Support to organize and staff stakeholder meetings and provide note-taking and administrative Support;
• Occasional evening, early morning, and weekend virtual meetings may be required.

Qualifications

Applicants must be an undergrad or graduate student studying the following: regional or urban planning, community engagement, communications, public policy or public administration, or another related field.

Successful candidates for this position will demonstrate all or most of the following:
 

• Interest in community engagement and public participation;
• Strong writing skills, data analysis & research capabilities M/S Office suite proficiency;
• Exposure to regional planning or policy theory and practices through coursework, internships, or other means;
• Experience with software platforms such as Adobe, Illustrator, Photoshop as well as skills in graphic and web design, and social media tools preferred experience;
• Experience interacting with and mobilizing people from diverse populations in a wide variety of settings, including communities of color, different ethnic populations, a variety of incomes, ages and differing levels of educational attainment preferred experience.

Per MAPC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy, all employees must be fully vaccinated. This position will require the selected candidate to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, including up to date boosters. MAPC is an equal opportunity employer and will consider reasonable accommodation to those individuals who are unable to be vaccinated consistent with federal, state, and local law.

Only candidates currently enrolled in an academic program will be considered for this position.

Compensation and Benefits: 
This is a paid internship with an hourly rate of $ 18.00 - $22.00, depending on qualifications. We are seeking 20 hours per week, with flexibility. To qualify as an intern, individuals must be enrolled in an academic program, provide written verification of their status, and agree to a scheduled end date upon hire. The intern will provide their own laptop or computer for purposes of completing the above work. Work will be conducted remotely. To qualify as an intern, individuals must be enrolled in an academic program, provide written verification of their status, and agree to a scheduled end date upon hire.   
 
How to Apply: 
Apply online at www.mapc.org/jobs. The position is open until filled, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three (3) references plus a sample of relevant writing or work product. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA. MAPC participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States. 
 
MAPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a staff with a range of perspectives, experiences, and skillsets strengthens our work. We are committed to building a more equitable workplace that allows staff with diverse backgrounds and identities to thrive, grow, and lead. For more information on MAPC’s culture of equity, see our Equity at MAPC page.