Transportation Planning Intern

The Transportation Planning Intern performs professional urban planning, policy analysis, and public engagement activities focused on improving transportation options in Sun Prairie and developing a complete streets policy and design guide. This work requires the application of knowledge and skills in urban planning, transportation, community development, and related disciplines to achieve desirable outcomes in transportation, community development, and public policy.

Reporting to the Planning Director, the Transportation Planning Intern will support transportation-related policies, programs, and activities of the City. The Intern will work closely with the Transportation Coordinator and with other staff in the City’s community development and engineering team.

Duties will be performed primarily on-site in Sun Prairie; some remote work may be approved. Tentative start date is June 15th but is negotiable, Summer 2026. 

 

Essential Job Functions

Intern duties will focus on the intersection of transportation and community development. Examples may include (but are not limited to):

• Contributing to a “transit development plan” to evaluate the first three years of Citywide public transit service, and identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improving public transit and transportation options.
• Contributing to the creation of a Complete Green Streets Policy and Guidebook. 
• Completing intersection traffic studies and evaluating crash data to identify safety improvements.
• Technical and policy analysis related to public transit service and street design.
• Public engagement activities around public transit services and future street improvement projects.
• Planning for future year street improvements including developing conceptual street designs that incorporate traffic calming, and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
• Contributes to overall city development with a particular focus on the nexus of transportation, community development, and related dynamics, such as housing, economic development, public health, and environmental sustainability. 
• Supports activities of the Transportation Coordinator, Planning Director, and Engineering Director in responding to referrals from the Public Works Committee, the Transit Commission / Bike Subcommittee, the public, and others.
• Participates in the creation and implementation of techniques, programs, action plans, and policies regarding transportation.
• Contributes to community engagement and education efforts, including formal efforts associated with City projects, and responds to and works with developers, neighborhood groups, advocacy organizations, and regional partners.
• Researches and seeks opportunities for grants and other funding related to improving transportation infrastructure and options.
• Researches issues impacting transportation, community development, and related activities and recommends policies and responses.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements of Work

• Graduate or undergraduate student in urban planning, urban studies, public administration, political science, sociology, or related area of study.

• Knowledge of the general principles and procedures of city planning usually attained through a degree or concurrent enrollment in urban planning, public administration, or a related field.
• General knowledge of transportation systems, multimodal transportation planning, complete street design, and traffic engineering procedures and techniques (preferred); knowledge of data collection and analysis as it pertains to city planning.
• Knowledge of the role of transportation in community development and city planning.
• Communication skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse populations and engage all community members.
• Experience in the use of GIS software for the purpose of creating maps and completing miscellaneous planning related studies.
• Ability to work independently with some direction from a supervisor.

Other Job Functions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed mostly in an office setting; hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear; use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. 
• The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 
• The employee may be required to conduct outdoor activities, such as installing portable traffic cameras, observing traffic patterns, and engaging with public transit riders and the broader community.

The above is intended to describe the general content of the requirements for the performance of this job.   It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

The City of Sun Prairie is committed to advancing equity, honoring our diverse identity, and creating an inclusive culture.  These serve as our guiding principles every day in all that we do.  Keep us accountable to this mission and join us in this commitment to a thriving Sun Prairie, as you live, work, and play.  If you need an accommodation during the hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 608-825-1174 or HumanResources@cityofsunprairie.com.