A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Department of Planning and Development works in collaboration with communities to promote, plan, preserve, and develop successful neighborhoods for all. Reaching these goals requires city agencies to work together with residents, businesses, developers, advocates, funders, and each other. Planning and Development has a team of agencies that do just that. Our agencies include:

Philadelphia Art Commission

Philadelphia City Planning Commission

Division of Development Services

Division of Housing and Community Development

Philadelphia Historical Commission

Zoning Board of Adjustment

We also partner with the PHDC

The intern working with the Policy and Analysis Unit of the Division of Planning and Zoning will work on the following projects:

Comprehensive Plan Topic Papers

-             Assist staff with drafting a Storymaps or other interactive web-based applications that detail existing conditions and potential policy directions for City Planning in Philadelphia. This product should highlight current issues and disparities, while building out research-based approaches City Planners can take to address identified issues. The final product should also summarize current steps being taken to reduce historic impact and recommended additional steps that can be taken by city agencies. Topic assignment will be based on current research by full-time staff but may include:

-             Economy and Jobs

-             Land Use

-             Public Health

-             Transportation

-             Reconciliation

-             Others (as assigned to Policy Team)

-             Potential research topics for the Economy & Jobs ECR

-             Synopsis/takeaways on past intern research into plans that address issues related to the Green Economy and suggestions for ways to incorporate into the ECR

-             Philadelphia’s tax structure and competitiveness as it compares with the region and peer cities

• Economic impact of taxpayer funded municipal services and programs (eg. How spending on libraries, parks and rec, sanitation, etc. Improve quality of life/make the city attractive place for businesses, and how those spending levels compare with peer cities and the region)
• Economic impact of public sector jobs, both in employment and value of service delivery

•            Analysis of research into tax burden by race, income class, and occupancy status

-             Impact of e-commerce on GFA along commercial corridors and traffic impacts in residential areas

-             Impact of WFH on commerce (CC vs. Neighborhoods)

-             Does Philadelphia have unique barriers to employment for its labor force?

•            Access to affordable and quality childcare

-             Other cost of living factors

•            Higher incarceration rate/barriers for returning citizens

•            Low state minimum wage compared to peer cities in other states

• Unionization and impacts to the local economy

•            Change in unionization rate

•            Wage differentials for similar jobs that are non-union

• Impact of prevailing wage law for jobs contracted or subcontracted with the City

•            $15/hr or higher depending on job class

• Educational attainment requirements in different jobs and sectors, wages by sector
• Economic impact of and percentage (and growth) of jobs associated with non-profit institutions exempt from property taxes
• Data on jobs that are full time/part time/temporary; provide healthcare, paid time off; W2 vs 1099

Exposure

• Priority topics identified for the comprehensive plan.

Skills

• Research, data gathering, and summarizing complex topics. Drafting language and editing.
• Work Product
• Comprehensive Plan Update Existing Conditions Report (ECR)
• Departmental and Interagency Meetings
• Notetaking during community and interagency meetings to assist ongoing work.

Exposure

• Community engagement (if applicable) and interdepartmental coordination.

Skills

• Drafting and cleaning notes.
• Work Product
• Not Applicable (outputs would stay with PCPC).

Essential Functions

Assist the Planner Supervisor, and District Planner with ongoing research. Develop summary work products to inform planning policy discussions. Must be able to work from the office at least one day per week.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Experience with Microsoft Office, including Excel. Strong and clear communication skills. Ability to simplify complex topics. Research experience preferred. Experience with Comprehensive Plans, Zoning/Municipal Code, and municipal government preferred. Experience with Public Health, Healthcare, or Social Working preferred.

Be a current student at an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Minimum 2+ years in an Undergraduate Program or 2+ years of equivalent work experience.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resumes, and writing samples.

Salary Range: $15/hr

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx