Community Partnerships Intern – Summer 2021

 

For more than 125 years, The Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) has lifted up the voices of the people in the debates that shape New York’s built environment and led the way toward a more livable city from sidewalk to skyline. MAS envisions a future in which all New Yorkers share in the richness of city life–where growth is balanced, character endures, and a resilient future is secured.

Our work focuses on sound data-backed policy and community participation in the planning process to advance equitable outcomes throughout the city. MAS assists communities to participate in issues in the built environment and works to transform those systems to bring communities in as partners in the decisions that will impact our shared future.

Since 2007, the Livable Neighborhoods Program (LNP) has helped communities become stronger advocates for their neighborhoods through better understanding of the land use planning process. LNP seeks to equip local leaders with the knowledge and tools that they need to participate effectively and engage in creative, community-based design and planning.

MAS convenes and participates in several citywide coalitions and initiatives. MAS, in partnership with the Regional Plan Association and the NYU Guarini Center, is developing a new mapping tool and training to provide Technical Support for Comprehensive Planning and CEQR Reform (TASC). This work advances data, strategies for local advocacy, and supports applications from community district needs assessments to large projects like proposed rezonings in the Gowanus and SoHo/NoHo neighborhoods, the Empire Station Complex proposal for Penn Station, and the Special Flushing Waterfront District.

MAS is an active member in the Thriving Communities Coalition and the Racial Impact Study Coalition. These collective efforts balance a variety of perspectives to align grassroots organizing, advocacy, policy and technical assistance groups. Together, we work across various issue areas and neighborhoods to disrupt and reimagine city processes and procedures ensuring that communities are visible, engaged, and thriving. These coalitions address inequality, segregation, and displacement, at the citywide level to bring new accountability to government processes and give communities a real seat at the table.

Internship Description

Interns will support MAS planning staff on long- and short-term projects and day-to-day work including, but not limited to:

• Researching, drafting, and presenting advocacy positions and testimony;
• Coordinating and documenting feedback from community partners through conversation and use of structured exercises;
• Contributing to studies, reports, presentations, building modeling, and mapping projects; and
• Developing educational resources and tools.

Interns can expect to assist with meetings and events organized by MAS and/or partner organizations both during and outside of regular office hours. Interns can expect to gain experience in presenting to a variety of audiences at public hearings, including community board members, City agencies, and elected officials. The internship will provide opportunities for skill development and new applications for mapping, research, analysis, and advocacy. This internship will be remote.

Requirements

Applicants must be currently enrolled in a master’s degree program focused on city and regional planning, community development, urban studies, historic preservation, public policy, urban design, economic development, real estate development, economics, or a related field. A limited number of paid internships are available. Paid interns should plan to work full time (40 hours per week) for the duration of the summer. Unpaid positions will be considered for candidates eligible for either course credit or a stipend through their educational institution.

International students are required to have updated applicable practical training paperwork for employment through your school and a valid social security number.

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience speaking publicly and making effective presentations.
• Ability to conduct in-depth quantitative and qualitative research on existing and proposed development, relevant City and State legislation, and policy initiatives.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and to successfully advance multiple projects.
• Strong emotional intelligence skills.
• Experience working with diverse communities and cultural competency.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience and interest in one or more of the following areas: community-based planning, environmental review, open space planning, sustainability and resiliency, architecture and urban design, historic preservation, real estate and economic development, and affordable housing.
• Knowledge of current urban policy issues, especially New York City’s zoning, land-use, and environmental review processes (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure and City Environmental Quality Review).
• Experience with community-based mapping and digital forums for skill-building.
• Facilitation of small groups, supporting community visioning or charrettes.

Application Instructions

The application deadline is May 7, 2021, or open until the position is filled.

To apply, please email the following to interns@mas.org, with the subject line “Community Partnerships Intern-Summer 2021”:

1. a resume;
2. a cover letter; and
3. a work sample that demonstrates relevant skills (such as a writing sample, meeting or educational materials created, and/or excerpt of a research paper, or portfolio, 10 pages/5 MB maximum).

No phone calls please.

The Municipal Art Society of New York is an Equal Opportunity Employer.