Sustainable Development Intern

The City of Cambridge, MA is seeking a Sustainable Development Intern for the Zoning and Development Division. The intern will work up to 19.5 hours per week, assisting with reviewing development proposals and ensuring compliance with sustainability standards in the zoning ordinance. Responsibilities include coordinating with staff, guiding applicants, and updating project records. This position is not remote and requires a commitment of at least 15 hours per week.
Posting Date:

5/6/25

Department:

CDD - Zoning and Development

Job Code:

X202 (ID #1277)

Sequence #:

Number of Hours Per Week:

up to 19.5 hours per week

Additional Work Hours Information:

Up to 19 hours/week; seeking at least 15 hours/week commitment

Union Affiliation:

None

# of openings:

1

Type of Employment:

Regular

Civil Service Type:

None

AGENCY DESCRIPTION:

The Community Development Department (CDD) is the planning agency for the City of Cambridge. Our mission is to foster a livable, sustainable, just, and equitable community. CDD has three programmatic divisions - Economic Opportunity & Development, Community Planning & Design, and Zoning & Development – and also encompasses the Housing Department and the Arts Council. Together, we engage and collaborate with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, and residents to make Cambridge a desirable place to live, work, learn, play, and innovate.

The Zoning and Development Division is a team of urban planners performing work in the areas of land use planning and urban development. The division has a Director, a Senior Manager, two Project Planners, two Associate Planners, an Administrative Coordinator, and interns. Specific work areas include:
• Staffing and administering the Cambridge Planning Board
• Coordinating review of major urban development projects
• Providing professional support and advice to the Cambridge City Council and Planning Board in reviewing proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance
• Advancing planning initiatives that result in recommended changes to the Zoning Ordinance
• Providing general information about zoning to residents, property owners, businesses, developers, design professionals, other City officials and departments, and others as needed

More information at http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/zoninganddevelopment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Zoning & Development Division’s responsibilities include the administration of sustainability and resiliency requirements set forth in Article 22 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. These standards promote sustainable design that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves natural resources, and mitigates urban heat while being resilient to flooding. Examples of standards include a requirement for larger buildings to align with LEED, Passive House, or Enterprise Green Communities rating programs as well as requirements for site cooling features like trees, plantings, and materials that reflect solar heat. As more new developments are built that meet the standards, the City gets closer to meeting its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, as identified in the Net Zero Action Plan.

Under the supervision of the Zoning Project Planner for Sustainable Development, specific activities of the Sustainable Development Intern could include:
• Reviewing new development proposals in coordination with Z&D staff and identifying Article 22 requirements to communicate to applicants.
• Assisting in reviewing Green Building and Green Factor submissions from applicants at all stages of development.
• Sharing guidance with applicants in meetings or via email about required revisions to submissions for compliance with Article 22 regulations.
• Assisting with updating project records to communicate the project’s review status and key attributes.
• Communicating zoning standards and sustainability and resiliency design strategies in multidisciplinary teams, which may include planners specializing in urban design, transportation, environmental sustainability, housing, and economic development, as well as staff in other City departments.
• Maintaining the Division’s Green Building and Green Factor databases.
• Additional projects based on the applicant’s skills and interests and the division’s needs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

This Sustainable Development Intern should be a self-motivated professional with a strong interest in zoning and land use regulation who wants to develop their knowledge and skills in a busy planning office that works on a wide range of urban development issues. We seek candidates with a strong commitment to equity and respect, both in the provision of services and in the workplace. The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds and ideologies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Education and Experience:
• Academic or professional experience in urban planning, architecture, engineering, or related field with an interest in green building technology and sustainable development.
• Ability to work with computer software including Adobe, Microsoft, and GIS programs, especially PDF, Illustrator or similar, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and ESRI ArcGIS

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Graduate-level or professional experience related specifically to green building and/or sustainable development technology.
• Familiarity with green building certification programs, such as LEED, Passive House (PHIUS), and Enterprise Green Communities.
• Experience analyzing, interpreting or administering zoning and/or building regulations.
• Knowledge of current best practices in sustainability, green building design, and green infrastructure.
• Experience working in Excel with large datasets.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work involves occasional evening meetings, travelling to and through the city to different locations within Cambridge, walking, and climbing stairs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work involved is primarily indoors in a professional office setting. Some work will involve walking tours to survey different areas of Cambridge as well as public and community meetings held at various locations throughout Cambridge. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy, depending on operational needs.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:
• Resume
• Cover Letter

ABOUT THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE

The City of Cambridge is a diverse and vibrant community that 120,000 residents of different ethnic, racial, religious, U.S. nationals and other backgrounds call home. We take pride in our City’s diversity and strive to create a workplace that is reflective of the community we serve - one in which all employees can thrive. The City is also deeply committed to creating an environment in which all our employees are treated equitably and feel included. In joining our team, you would work in a workplace environment that advances and values antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI), and that is committed to embedding ADEI best practices and tenets in all aspects of our work. City of Cambridge residents are especially encouraged to apply to job openings.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

The City of Cambridge is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ Community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City is committed to advancing a workforce culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request by contacting Human Resources at humanresources@cambridgema.gov.