Parklands Planning Intern

AGENCY DESCRIPTION
The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation manages 14 percent of the land in New York City with facilities ranging from playgrounds and large parks, to tranquil wooded areas and more than 14 miles of beaches. Parks serve as New Yorkers’ backyards, as vital meeting areas for outdoor play and recreation – but also as an important tool in mitigating the effects of climate change, critical engines for economic growth and development.
NYC Parks’ mission is to grow, maintain, and program a world-class park system prioritizing equity, access, safety, and nature.
In the past year, Parks completed a number of initiatives citywide that helped New Yorkers access their shared public spaces. These include:
• Securing more than $700 million in funds to build or substantially reconstruct six recreation centers, including two opening in 2026: the $141 million Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center in East Flatbush, Brooklyn and the $92 million Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center in Tompkinsville, Staten Island.
• Expanding our free learn-to-swim programs to reach an additional 4,800 second graders and bring the total to nearly 18,000 youth served by our essential swim programming.
• Keeping more than 8 million people safe at the city’s public beaches last summer along with over 1 million patrons at outdoor pools, thanks to the highest number of Parks lifeguards since 2019, including a 23 percent increase in new recruits.
• Completing a $23 million investment in public space at New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments, bringing new playgrounds, sports equipment, and seating areas to NYCHA residents.
• Launching our latest Tree Census, which involves thousands of volunteers to measure the size, location, and condition of the city’s trees. Conducted once every ten years, the census helps to identify areas where more trees can be planted, supporting a more equitable urban canopy and increasing the many benefits trees provide.
• Celebrating the historic expansion of the Second Shift program, dedicating extra maintenance services for 100 additional hot spots at parks across the five boroughs during peak evening and weekend hours. This expanded the total sites citywide serviced by dedicated staff to 200 hot spots.
• Adding 100 new Parks Enforcement Patrol positions to bolster patrol strength throughout the city.
• Promoting equity in athletic spaces by rolling out new athletic permit rules and fee changes to improve access for non-profit and youth organizations.
UNIT DESCRIPTION
The Division of Environment and Planning aims to protect, restore, and expand New York City's green spaces and natural areas to maximize their benefits for environmental and community health and resilience.
The intern would be assigned to the Parklands unit within the Division. The Parklands unit is responsible for the Agency’s real estate and land use functions including the acquisition, disposition and preservation of parkland, Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), environmental review, and the ownership and management of the Agency’s property records.
POSITION TITLE
NYC Parks Parklands Planning Intern
INTERNSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
The intern will participate in a variety of projects as needed, under supervision from the Parklands team in the Planning Unit.
Intern responsibilities will include:
• Review property records, performing general research and due diligence to support planning, acquisition, and capital projects.
• Developing maps and analysis documents as needed, using ArcGIS.
• Develop graphic visualizations.
• Preparing conceptual illustrations and text for PowerPoint presentations.
• Assisting in the coordination and facilitation of public meetings and engaging with the public. Attending public meetings and synthesizing community feedback.
• Taking notes at meetings, producing meeting summaries and reports and tracking follow up items.
• Conducting site visits and documenting park conditions.
• Researching, exploring, and documenting characteristics for potential new park sites in under-served neighborhoods.
nyc.gov/internships
QUALIFICATIONS/SPECIAL SKILLS/AREAS OF INTEREST
The division is embarking on data-driven work, and the intern should be highly proficient with numbers and programs such as Excel, ArcMap and/or ArcGIS Pro. The intern may be called upon to explain complex data processes in easy to understand ways for internal and external audiences.
The ideal candidate will possess the following characteristics and skills:
• Interest in and/or knowledge of landscape architecture, urban planning, climate resilience, and/or public policy
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong writing skills and ability to synthesize and summarize quantitative and qualitative data
• Strong, independent problem-solving skills
• Enterprising and resourceful, with the ability to take initiative on projects
• Ability to interact with the public in a sensitive, respectful and effective manner
• Proficiency with ArcGIS/ Illustrator and willingness to learn new programs
• Strong quantitative skills
• Ability to work under deadlines and prioritize tasks
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work well both independently and in teams
• Demonstrated communication skills – written, oral, and presentation ability
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to look at the big picture and search for insightful, creative solutions
• Experience working independently to complete multi-stage projects
• Adaptable to changing plans and able to work with existing resources to produce high quality results
• Currently enrolled college student
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Start date is beginning of June; exact date TBD.
This opportunity does not include remote workdays
Title: City Seasonal Aide
Salary: $19.14 per hour
ULURP is New York City's primary approval process for changes to how land is used, as required by the City Charter. One of the intern’s main roles will be to assist on projects focused on obtaining ULURP approval for the acquisition of new parkland.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please email cover letter and resume to Leslie.Nusblatt@parks.nyc.gov