Environmental GIS Analyst Intern Light

The City of Seattle is seeking a graduate-level Environmental GIS Analyst Intern for Seattle City Light. The role involves GIS analysis, data management, and supporting vegetation management and climate resilience projects. Interns will gain experience with LiDAR data, wildfire risk mapping, and advanced GIS skills while collaborating with cross-functional teams. Candidates must be enrolled in a relevant graduate program and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above.
Position: Environmental GIS Analyst Intern - Seattle City Light

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 provide GIS analysis and data management support. This role is ideal for candidates passionate about leveraging geospatial technology to enhance environmental sustainability, grid resilience, and climate adaptation.
Learning Objectives:
• Experience with LiDAR Data Analysis:
Gain hands-on experience working with LiDAR data to support vegetation management and environmental assessments, learning to process and analyze this critical geospatial data.
• Wildfire Risk Mapping:
Contribute to efforts in mapping and assessing wildfire risks within Seattle City Light’s service territory, helping to drive strategies for mitigation and climate resilience.
• Advanced GIS Skills:
Enhance your technical proficiency in GIS tools and data analysis, applying these skills to real-world projects that support critical environmental and operational objectives.
• Collaboration in a Cross-Functional Team:
Gain experience working with diverse teams (e.g., vegetation management, climate resilience, and grid planning) to understand business requirements and support integrated, data-driven decision-making.
Project(s) Scope:
• Geospatial Data Management & Analysis:
Collect, clean, validate, and analyze internal and external datasets to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies that inform decision-making and support business needs.
• Process Documentation & File Management:
Maintain up-to-date process documentation and ensure proper file management and storage for easy access and consistency across teams.
• Tool Automation & Scripting:
Develop tools and automated workflows using scripting languages or Model Builder to streamline GIS processes and increase efficiency.
• Metadata Synchronization & Integration:
Explore and implement opportunities for metadata synchronization to improve data quality and accessibility across platforms.
• Additional Tasks & Project Support:
Assist with other geospatial tasks and projects as assigned to support the Vegetation Management Group’s goals.
Required Qualifications:

Graduate students will need to maintain a 3.0 GPA or above throughout the internship.
Areas of Study:
• Enrolled in an accredited graduate program during their internship.
• Enrolled in an academic program in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Environmental Science, Geography, Data Science, Urban Planning, or a related field.
Desired

Qualifications:

You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with a strong emphasis on Excel for data analysis and reporting.
• Experience or coursework with geospatial software, such as ArcGIS, QGIS, or similar platforms, for spatial data analysis, mapping, and visualization.
• Familiarity with data management tools and file organization practices to ensure accurate and efficient handling of large datasets.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and manipulate complex geospatial data to support business decisions.
• Experience with LiDAR data and analysis techniques, including the ability to process and interpret LiDAR datasets for environmental assessments and risk mapping.
• Proficiency in GIS scripting and automation tools, such as Python, Model Builder, or similar platforms, for streamlining geospatial workflows and automating tasks.
• Knowledge of environmental and geospatial data analysis, particularly in the context of wildfire risk mapping, vegetation management, or similar environmental projects.
• Familiarity with metadata management and data synchronization processes to ensure data integrity and consistency across various platforms.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex geospatial data and analysis results clearly to both…