Planning & Development Intern

Forest Preserve District Office of Human Resources 536 N. Harlem River Forest, Illinois 60305 708-771-1561

The Forest Preserves of Cook County is currently accepting interviews for a Planning & Development Intern for a six month, $14 per hour, position at our headquarters in River Forest, IL. Please forward on to your networks and share with anyone who might be interested. Applications are being accepted until May 18 at http://fpdcc.com/about/jobs/.  Thank you.

Job Summary

Under general supervision from staff in the Planning and Development Department, the Planning & Development Intern will work on different projects within the Planning and Development Department. Projects will include land use document research and organization, other research relating to signage, site improvements and other capital improvement planning and assisting with the signage/wayfinding and gateway master plans. Typical Duties ? Provides support to the Planning & Development department. ? Assists staff in collecting and preparing data for various planning projects, specifically in land use documents, historic buildings and signage/wayfinding. ? Conducts field work and collects site data ? Assists planning staff in organizing and preparing for outreach meetings and workshops. ? Assists with project research, development, and implementation, including creating and planning documents, maps and reports. ? Maintains and updates databases and spreadsheets. ? Assists with archival and organization of important files and documents. ? Receives direction from several sources and prioritizes assignments effectively. ? Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

? Must be currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree and have a minimum of 30 credit hours of class instruction in a landscape architecture program or a pursuing a master’s degree in Urban or Regional Planning with a minimum of 6 credit hours of class instruction in site planning, land use planning, spatial planning and design and/or GIS. You are required to upload a transcript with your online application. ? Must be a current Cook County resident. ? Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

? Ability to be self-motivated and resourceful. ? Ability to work independently with good judgment and attention to detail. ? Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-based environment while working on multiple projects at once. ? Possession of strong written, verbal, communication, and research skills. ? Skill in organizing, advertising and preparing for outreach meetings and workshops. ? Knowledge of physical and community planning concepts and processes ? Knowledge and familiarity with real estate documents including surveys, legal descriptions and the Property Index Number (PIN) system. ? Willingness to learn and have varied experiences. ? Willingness to be a self-starter and to have a positive attitude. ? Ability to maintain confidentiality of Forest Preserves’ information. ? Ability to initiate and follow through with projects under a tight deadline structure. ? Ability to effectively identify and communicate issues or problems to management. ? Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and familiar with Adobe Creative Suite design programs, including InDesign and Illustrator ? Ability to work up to 40 hours per week for 6 months ? Ability to drive to various District locations throughout Cook County on a regular basis in personal vehicle.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work. Veteran’s Preference When applying for employment with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must: a. Meet the minimum qualifications for the position. b. Identify him/herself as a Veteran on his/her employment application by answering “Yes” to the question “Are you a military veteran?” c. Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at the time of application by uploading it as part of the application. If there are multiple DD 214s, DD 215s, or NGB 22s, the one with the most recent date should be submitted. Coast Guard members must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (before 911) or the Department of Homeland Security (after 911). d. Provide original applicable discharge papers at time of the interview.

General District Employment Requirements

? PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION. ORIGINALS WILL BE REQUIRED AT TIME OF INTERVIEW. ? COPY OF TRANSCRIPT MUST BE EMAILED AT TIME INTERVIEW IS SCHEDULED. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity.