Public Space Landscape Architect Intern Light

The City of Seattle is seeking a graduate-level intern for the Public Space Landscape Architect position within Seattle City Light. The role involves assisting with landscape design, public space planning, and community engagement focused on urban sustainability and environmental justice. Responsibilities include collaborating on projects, supporting community initiatives, and learning about urban ecology. Candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA and be enrolled in a relevant graduate program.
Position: Public Space Landscape Architect 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 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…