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Planning Intern

                     

Closes:  All application materials must be received by 9:00am PDT Thursday, April 2, 2026; up to 100 applications will be accepted.

Status:  Temporary part-time position, 30 hours per week for up to three months, with flexibility to adjust hours and duration; nonexempt FLSA status.

Salary:  $24 per hour with limited benefits.

Timeline:  Position to begin May/June 2026.

Location:  Puget Sound Regional Council, Downtown Seattle, Washington; The position may be eligible for hybrid work (within Washington state).

 

ABOUT PSRC:

The Puget Sound Regional Council is the regional transportation, growth management, and economic development planning agency serving Seattle and the central Puget Sound. The thriving region is home to over 4 million people and is one of the nation’s fastest growing metropolitan areas. PSRC brings together the region’s diverse counties, cities and towns, native Tribes, ports, the state of Washington and civic interests to understand the challenges facing our region’s future and make plans for the region to continue to succeed. The agency serves as the region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization and is the regional leader for growth management, transportation, and economic development under state and federal laws. PSRC seeks to support an inclusive region and build a work culture that embraces diversity and promotes equity. Visit www.psrc.org to find out more. PSRC is an equal opportunity employer.

 

The strength of our region is rooted in our diversity. At PSRC, we’re striving to create a region where all people have the means to attain the resources and opportunities that improve their quality of life and enable them to reach their full potential; where differences in life outcomes cannot be predicted by race, class, or any other identity. We aim to reflect the communities we serve. We encourage you to think broadly about your experiences and skill set for the positions. If you have an interest in urban planning, transportation planning, or data analytics, we encourage individuals from all cultures and communities to apply.

 

THE INTERNSHIP:

PSRC is seeking a summer Planning Intern to join its Planning Department to perform a variety of tasks in support of VISION 2050 and Regional Transportation Plan implementation activities under general supervision. PSRC’s Planning Department includes Growth Management Planning, Regional Planning, and Transportation Planning Divisions. The intern will likely work with staff from all these divisions, as well as staff in PSRC’s Communications and Data Departments. The internship position is an excellent opportunity to gain technical proficiencies, contribute to the development of regional plans, engage with diverse community members and stakeholders across the region, and help address key regional issues such as social equity, land use and transportation planning, and shared economic prosperity.

 

The position will assist in various implementation activities in support of VISION 2050, the Regional Transportation Plan, and support outreach and engagement activities. In addition, the intern may contribute to a range of other planning efforts across the agency, including but not limited to growth planning, housing, climate, safety, equity, transit, and active transportation planning, etc. 

 

Qualified candidates will have excellent analytic and communication skills, as well as a keen interest in advancing a variety of regional planning projects. Responsibilities may include performing quantitative and qualitative research using a variety of demographic, economic, land use, housing, and transportation datasets; preparing written and graphic materials; supporting inclusive engagement activities; and assisting with meetings.  

 

THE CANDIDATE: 

The ideal candidate will have the ability to:

  • Analyze public policies, planning strategies, and implementation actions to help implement regional plans. 
  • Assist with research projects and/or data analysis related to transportation and growth management planning topics, including climate, safety, equity, transit, and active transportation planning.
  • Engage with members of the public and represent PSRC in public settings, in-person or virtual. 
  • Provide support for events, committee and board meetings by organizing logistics, preparing materials and assisting in registration and conduct of meetings.
  • Have familiarity with common software packages to analyze and transform data, such as Excel, ArcGIS, and Tableau is a plus. Experience with web mapping, ArcGIS Online, OpenStreetMap, and web-based visualization packages (e.g., Leaflet) is a plus.
  • Collect, analyze, and perform quality control measures on regional planning datasets (e.g., Census, surveys, housing, land use, transportation including pedestrian and cycling activities). Handle and manage multiple, large electronic data files.

 

Successful candidate should also possess:

  • Excellent organization and problem-solving skills, as well as aptitude to work independently and as part of a team. 
  • Effective oral and written communication abilities to work with the general public, professionals, and agency staff.
  • A specific interest in improving the quality of life for residents in the region related to transportation, economic development, housing, etc. and the work of the Puget Sound Regional Council. 
  • Familiarity with planning and policy issues related to growth management, transportation, economic development, and local and regional governance is desirable.

 

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

Typical ways in which incumbents acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

  • Enrollment in a Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, geography, public administration, transportation, engineering, or related field during the internship.
  • Or, enrollment in a two-year college degree program or other four-year degree program with a strong interest in urban planning, transportation planning, data analytics or a related field during the internship.
  • Or, at least one year of experience in planning and/or a related field.
  • Any combination of lived and educational experience in a related field that would provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the job, and a strong interest in pursuing a career in urban planning, transportation planning, data analytics, or a related field.

 

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. Applicants will receive credit for all qualifying experience, volunteer or paid.

 

TO APPLY:

To apply, visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/psrc.