Planning & GIS Intern – New York, NY

Organization: New Yorkers for Parks (NY4P)

Position Title: Planning & GIS Intern

Location: New York, NY

Hours & Compensation: Part-time, 3 days/week, including several days of weekend work. $6,500 for the internship period.

Position Dates: 22 week beginning the week of July 8, 2013 and concluding December 6, 2013.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2013.

Organization Overview:

New Yorkers for Parks (NY4P) is the independent citywide research and advocacy organization championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods. For over 100 years, New Yorkers for Parks has advocated for all of the city’s parks, beaches, and playgrounds. NY4P regularly hosts interns to assist with research and planning projects relating to the efficient and equitable delivery of public park services in New York City.

Description:

In 2008, NY4P developed the Open Space Index (OSI) in response to New York City’s lack of a master plan for the improvement and expansion of parks. The OSI is a set of 15 population-adjusted targets for park access and environmental sustainability designed specifically for New York City neighborhoods. Beginning in July 2013, New Yorkers for Parks will conduct an open space assessment of the Mott Have neighborhood in the south Bronx using our OSI methodology. The Planning Intern, working collaboratively with NY4P’s Research Intern, will participate in data collection and analysis for NY4P’s Mott Haven OSI.

Responsibilities:

• Collecting field data for NY4P’s Mott Haven OSI project. The physical survey requires block-by-block canvassing to assess and measure each open space in Mott Haven. Field work will also include in-person interviews with park visitors and systematic social observation of park use.
• Creating maps to support the Open Space Index data collection and analysis.
• Gathering supplemental neighborhood data, including US Census data and land use patterns
• Performing other research and writing to support ongoing NY4P project, as needed. This may include research in issues such as public-private partnerships, natural areas, and ongoing environmental reviews of development proposals impacting parks.

Qualifications:

• Self-starting graduate student who has strong research and people skills, clear and polished writing ability, and excellent computer skills.
• Qualified candidates will either have completed or be working on a graduate degree in urban planning, public policy, geography, sociology, or a related social science or public administration field.
• Candidates must have the ability to initiate and complete long-term projects, as well as the flexibilty to work as part of a collaborative office environment.
• Able and willing to spend extended periods of time in city parks and travel throughout all five boroughs on mass transit.
• Requires fluency with ARCGIS.
• Proficient in all Windows-based programs.

How to Apply:

Please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample,  2-3 samples maps, and references as a single .pdf attachment to Jessica Feldman, Research & Planning Analyst, at [email protected].

Contact Information:

New Yorkers for Parks, http://www.ny4p.org