Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs

Los Angeles City Planning (LACP) seeks five student professional workers (SPWs) who have experience or interest in city planning to join the Department’s Citywide Policy and Community Planning bureaus. This paid opportunity ($18.11/hour) offers an enriching experience for students wishing to gain hands-on experience in city planning as it relates to plans and policies for the diverse City of Los Angeles.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE:

— Research and analysis, including land use and policy research

— Policy development, report and recommendation writing

— Assisting staff in data collection, analysis, and visual modeling

— Developing and refining land use and zoning regulations

— Map creation and analysis through GIS software

— Community meeting preparation, participation, and outreach, including in-person and virtual outreach

— Assisting staff with presentations and drafting reports, ordinances, and external communications

— General administrative and record-keeping duties

REQUIREMENTS

— Must be current student and must provide copy of school transcript or attendance record

— Available 15-25 hours/week for the next eight to twelve months (maximum of 1,000 hours)

— This position is a hybrid in-office and at-home position, though candidates who are fully remote may be considered (subject to management approval). If working in-office, candidate will be expected to spend a minimum of 8 hours a week in either the Marvin Braude San Fernando Valley Constituent Service Center in Van Nuys, or Los Angeles City Hall in Downtown Los Angeles. This may be subject to change as return-to-office procedures may evolve. Monthly public transit subsidy is available.

— If working remotely or at-home, SPW will be required to provide their own laptop or desktop computer. The City will provide computers for in-office use only. — Proof of Covid-19 vaccination required

DESIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

— Experience or education in Urban/City/Regional Planning, Transportation Planning, Political Science, Architecture, Geography, Public Policy, or related fields; Major course of study focused on urban planning preferred

— Current graduate student preferred, though undergraduate students are also encouraged to apply

— Strong visual, oral, and written communication skills

— Experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Google Suite products (including Google Docs), and Zoom

— Experience with ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Sketch-Up, Photoshop, InDesign, and/or Illustrator

— Bilingual in conversational English/Spanish

— Experience conducting outreach activities both online and in person

— For Housing Policy Unit: knowledge of housing development or finance desired though not required Ideal candidates are familiar with the City of Los Angeles, work both independently and collaboratively, enjoy problem-solving and public engagement, and are highly motivated and detail-oriented.

Assignments are currently available in the following divisions:

San Fernando Valley Community Planning Division

Location: Marvin Braude San Fernando Valley Constituent Service Center, Van Nuys

3 SPWs will support planning efforts in the East San Fernando Valley geography, including the Southeast Valley Community Plan Updates (planning4la.org/southeastvalleyplans) the Orange (G) Line Transit Neighborhood Plan (planning4la.org/orange-line-tnp) and the launch of the East San Fernando Valley Transit Neighborhood Plan (Council File 19-1289).

Ideal candidates are familiar with the San Fernando Valley, especially the communities of Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Studio City, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Valley Village, Panorama City, Arleta, Pacoima

Citywide Policy - Housing Unit

Location: Los Angeles City Hall, Downtown Los Angeles

2 SPWs will assist in ongoing work efforts to develop a citywide rezoning program, identified in the recent Update to the City’s Housing Element (planning4la.org/plans-policies/housing-element-update), as well as related anti-displacement studies and policy recommendations. The citywide rezoning program emphasizes creation of housing capacity in higher resource areas, in alignment with goals to affirmatively further fair housing and meet the City’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Allocation.

Ideal candidates have experience or interest in housing policy.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Planning.PositionControl@lacity.org by 12 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9. Qualified candidates will be invited for an interview in late November to early December. Please indicate assignment preference(s), as applicable, in the cover letter.

SELECTION PROCESS

Each applicant’s resume and cover letter will be reviewed to assess the candidate’s experience and qualifications as they relate to the ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of these positions. Those candidates assessed to be the most qualified will be invited to participate in the interview selection process.