Description

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

The Planning, Development & Research Department is looking for a Community Investments Intern. 

The intern will support Metro’s Community Investment Team and gain experience in land banking and equitable community development. They will primarily support the exploration of a regional land banking program, with a focus on housing, long-term community benefit, and advancing equitable outcomes.

The Community Investment Intern will contribute to research, stakeholder engagement, and project coordination activities that inform policy development and program design. This position offers meaningful exposure to cross-jurisdictional planning, public-sector decision-making, and community-centered approaches to land acquisition.

The ideal candidate is passionate about community development, urban planning,  and familiar with housing challenges in the greater Portland region. They should be comfortable engaging with external partners and collaborating in a team setting, while also being able to work independently on research or writing projects. Strong written communication skills, organizational skills, and an interest in public service are desired.

As a Community Investment Intern you will

• Conduct independent and collaborative research on topics related to land banking
• Compile, analyze, and summarize research findings into memos, briefing materials, presentations, or other products to support internal decision-making and partner discussions
• Attend project, working groups, and partner meetings
• Support outreach and engagement efforts with local jurisdictions, community-based organizations, philanthropy and other interested parties, including assisting with meeting preparation and materials
• Assist project staff with coordination tasks such as tracking deliverables, organizing files, and supporting timelines related to the regional land banking exploration

Attributes for success

• Professional experience and/or a passion for community development and public engagement
• Ability to work independently and stay focused on long-term projects
• Ability to review and synthesize quantitative and qualitative information into meaningful written and/or visual products
• Clear and succinct writing skills
• Experience working with spreadsheets
• Organized and detail oriented

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in our work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.   

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

Requirements

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant. 

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in community planning, or related field.
• Ability to work 20 to 40 hours per week up to a total of 550 hours in a one-year period; primarily weekday, daytime hours; possibly including some evenings or weekends.
• Ability to work in person at the Metro Regional Center one to three days per week.
• Proficiency at independent research and writing reports.
• Experience working with spreadsheets to manipulate and analyze data.
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Hybrid Telework 

At this time, this position is designated as “hybrid telework.” You will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The manager will work with you to identify a schedule that balances the operational needs of the department and your needs. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro 

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Pursuing or have a master’s degree in urban and regional planning