Position Description
About Seattle Parks and Recreation:
Seattle Parks and Recreation’s (Parks) Planning & Capital Development Branch (PCD) provides long range planning, asset management, technical design, review, and construction oversight for SPR major maintenance and capital development projects. PCD is comprised of project managers, engineers, architects, landscape architects, planners and administrative staff.
Equity & Inclusion: Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs and facilities. #OneSeattle
About The Division:
About Planning and Capital Development Branch (PCD): The Planning and Capital Development Branch (PCD) of Seattle Parks and Recreation acquires, plans, designs, and develops new park facilities, and makes improvements to existing park facilities to benefit the public. This effort includes providing engineering and other technical services to solve maintenance and operational problems. PCD also preserves open spaces through a combination of direct purchases, transfers, and consolidation of City-owned lands and resolution of property encroachment issues.
Planning Unit Team:
The Planning Unit with PCD is responsible for asset management, long-term capital planning, and bringing all capital projects from initiation to concept development. This work is informed by continuous data analysis, prioritizing equitable investment, and an aim to avoid interruption of service to our communities as much as possible. We are a diverse team of project managers, designers, environmental scientists, geospatial specialists, funding strategists, and cutting-edge community planners.
About The Position:
This position is within the Planning Unit of PCD. While there are additional responsibilities, most of the work the unit undertakes includes: community building and engagement, asset management and capital planning, and capital project management from initiation to preferred schematic design. This work is guided by continuous data collection and analysis, prioritizing equitable investment, planning for climate change, and learning from the communities we serve. The unit is comprised of a diverse team of project managers, designers, environmental scientists, geospatial specialists, funding strategists, and planners.
Job Responsibilities
For the 2026-2027 calendar year, the Planning Unit will be overseeing the completion of assessments on public Parks infrastructure to inform an upcoming planning effort. This internship role will assist in the evaluation of and planning for rehabilitation or replacement of public infrastructure assets. This position will focus primarily on conducting field assessments of public assets including, but not limited to, retaining walls, bridges, bulkheads (seawalls), and staircases. Additionally, the intern will support capital improvement planning efforts to enhance the usability, safety, equity, and accessibility of our park spaces.
The intern will be tasked with the following:
• Conduct on-site inventorying and condition assessments of existing public infrastructure, with a focus on retaining walls. They may also be asked to assist in inventorying and assessing seawalls, staircases, and bridges.
• Document physical conditions through detailed measurements, field notes, sketches, and photographs. Assess structures for structural issues, material degradation/, safety hazards, and other conditions requiring maintenance.
• Assist in prioritizing repair, renovation, and replacement of assessed structures based on condition severity, public safety concerns, public usage, and subject matter expert (SME) input.
• Assist in the development and standardization of assessment templates/checklists to be formatted within the ArcGIS Field Maps application and utilized in future on-site assessments.
• Generate and discuss conceptual design ideas for future renovation or replacement projects.
• Compile reports and visual summaries for internal use and presentation.
• Collaborate with engineering, planning, architecture, and landscape architecture staff as needed.
The intern will be supervised by Asset Management Supervisor to learn and receive on-the-job training, as well as receive all required SPR and Citywide trainings. It is estimated that this work will require approximately 800 hours. It is preferred that the intern work full-time (40 hours per week) until the scope of the assignment is complete. The position will last approximately 10 weeks, with the potential of extending. The position requires in-office (at least 1 day a week) and is predominately field work, requiring site visits to Seattle Parks.
Qualifications
• Enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program at an accredited institution related to structural or civil engineering, or a related field.
• Applicants must be enrolled at least part-time or full-time and maintain a 2.0 GPA (Undergraduate) or 3.0 GPA (Graduate Student) for the duration of the internship.
• Strong understanding of structural design principles and construction detailing.
• Interest in public works, parks infrastructure, and accessible, equitable implementation and design.
• Familiarity with GIS is a plus.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information verbally and in writing with coworkers and supervisory staff.
• Ability to work independently while identifying situations where additional expertise is required and effectively communicating needs.
• Must pass a background check.
• May be asked to work on weekends and evenings.
• This internship will require travel between different locations within the city. Current WA Driver’s License or proof of equivalent mobility required.
Additional Information
Specifically, the ideal candidate would have familiarity in the following areas to strengthen our team’s overall expertise:
• Strong visual communication skills—ability to produce diagrams, illustrative reports, and field sketches.
• Excellent organizational, research, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and on-site in variable weather conditions with limited oversight.
• Familiarity with codes and material durability considerations is desirable.
• Interns will be part of a citywide intern cohort and participate in departmental and city training opportunities and other events.
• Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• Educational Benefits to the Student: As an intern you will be provided with on-the-job training in various areas of planning, engineering, asset management, land use, capital improvement planning, capital project delivery, project management, and how the city's departments and divisions work together. You will be given support and guidance of where to find answers or what resources to use. The internship program provides a good opportunity for the student to participate in "real world" projects and gain experience with actual day-to-day operations in the public service sector, gaining hands-on experience in municipal planning and infrastructure assessment, and learning how public asset data informs long-term capital planning and community-centered design.
The full salary range for this position is $$22.56 - $27.67/hour.
Application Process
Please submit the following with your online application:
• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.
• Unofficial transcript.
Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle Parks and Recreation values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle Parks and Recreation encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.
Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020.Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.
Want to know more about Parks and Recreation? Check out our web page: Seattle Parks and Recreation - Parks | seattle.gov
SPR’s Core Competencies are:
Accountability & Action: Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making and promoting high quality standards.
Equity and Inclusion: Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the City's commitment to workforce equity.
Communication: Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.
Service: An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.
Teamwork: Participating as an engaged member of a team to achieve group goals. Effectively working with internal and external people to complete tasks and achieve work group goals.
