Job Description

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. Seattle City Light’s Vegetation Management Group is seeking a graduate-level intern to assist with landscape design and public space planning efforts. This role is ideal for candidates passionate about public green spaces, environmental justice, community engagement, urban planning, and landscape design. Learning Objectives: Understanding Urban Forests and Environmental Impact: Increase awareness of the role urban forests play in improving environmental sustainability, including reducing heat islands, mitigating flooding, enhancing air quality, and promoting livability in urban areas. Technical Skills in Urban Landscape Planning: Learn about the technical aspects of urban landscape design, including how soil volume, utilities, and public amenities impact tree establishment, preservation, and overall urban ecology. Collaboration on Special Projects: Work collaboratively with the Vegetation Management team to support interdepartmental projects, including plan reviews, irrigation design, and remediation efforts aimed at enhancing urban landscapes. Challenges of Landscape Conversion in Utility Rights-of-Way: Explore the unique challenges and opportunities of converting and enhancing landscapes within urban electric right-of-ways, balancing infrastructure needs with environmental goals. Equity-Focused Environmental Goals: Learn about city-wide initiatives aimed at promoting equity in environmental planning, with a focus on canopy coverage and sustainable green space development. Project(s) Scope: Conceptual Landscape Design: Contribute to the design process for a landscape conversion project along the Chief Sealth Trail, assisting in the development of creative and sustainable public space designs. Site Stewardship & Restoration: Collaborate with site stewards to inventory, create restoration planting plans, and develop maps for restoration efforts in the area. Community Engagement: Support community groups and stakeholders by assisting with public outreach, organizing community meetings, workshops, and interdepartmental collaboration events focused on enhancing public spaces. Pollinator & Food Justice Gardens: Assist community groups interested in creating pollinator gardens, food justice gardens, and other green space initiatives aimed at enhancing urban sustainability. Project Coordination & Installation Support: Coordinate with vendors for ordering and installation, contribute to the preparation of public outreach materials, and participate in public engagement activities under the guidance of a licensed landscape architect. Required Qualifications: Graduate students will need to maintain a 3.0 GPA or above throughout the internship. Enrolled in an accredited graduate program during their internship. Enrolled in an academic program with focus on Horticulture, Arboriculture, Urban Planning, Forestry, Landscape Architecture, or related field. Desired Qualifications: You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities: Experience with Landscape Design: Familiarity with landscape design principles and processes, ideally through academic coursework or previous projects. Experience with Environmental Restoration: Knowledge or hands-on experience in environmental restoration, including planting, soil management, and sustainable design practices. Strong Research Skills: Ability to perform independent research using online resources, academic databases, and library tools to support project needs. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: Experience with Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), particularly for documentation, data analysis, and presentation. Plant Identification Skills: Strong ability to identify and understand plant species, particularly in the context of landscape design and environmental restoration. Experience with Public Outreach & Community Engagement: Proven ability to work with community members, stakeholders, and public groups, fostering partnerships and participation in projects. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Experience with tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign to create design presentations, outreach materials, and other visual communications. Strong Problem-Solving Skills: Proactive in identifying challenges and applying creative and effective solutions to issues that arise during project work. Independent and Self-Directed: Ability to work autonomously, take initiative, and manage responsibilities without continuous supervision. Highly Motivated & Results-Driven: Self-motivated, with a demonstrated ability to take ownership of tasks, manage deadlines, and deliver quality results. Excellent Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Background Knowledge in Utility Industry, Horticulture, Arboriculture, or Forestry: Familiarity with relevant industries or fields, with a focus on understanding how they intersect with landscape architecture and urban planning. 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. The full salary range for this position is $26.71 per hour. Application Process: To complete your application, submit the online form with the following attachments: Resume Cover letter explaining how your coursework, activities, and experience qualify you for this internship. Your unofficial transcript - including current coursework, next term registration (if available at the time of application), and cumulative GPA. If applicable - for students transitioning from an undergraduate to graduate program, submit admissions offer to the graduate program to confirm intention of fall enrollment. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Internship Duration and Hours: Year-long: The timeframe of this internship will be one year in duration, with either a May (semester schools) or June (quarter schools) 2025 start date. Working hours are up to 40 per week during the summer, and a max of 20 per week during the academic year. Hybrid Work: The City has the expectation that interns will be readily available to report to onsite at work in Seattle in accordance with the current Mayoral mandate of a minimum of 3 days per week. Additional in-person work requirements are based on business need and determined by the hiring authority. Interns must have a Washington State address and live in Washington State at the time of hire and for the duration of their employment. Benefits: Interns do not receive benefits but can obtain a subsidized ORCA pass and accrue sick time that can be used after 90 days of employment. Background Check: 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 14.17 and 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. Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light 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 City Light 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. Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: . #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Seattle

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