Building Safety Intern

The Planning and Development Building Safety Intern works in the City of Raleigh Planning and Development Department. The Intern is a temporary hourly employee of the City of Raleigh. This is a term position without benefits.

This is a temporary summer internship designed to provide hands-on, experiential learning through meaningful exposure to departmental operations and opportunities to build professional skills in a public-sector setting. The internship runs from May 18 through August 7, 2026. Interns will work 20–30 hours per week in a hybrid environment, combining virtual work with in-person engagement.

About You:

The Planning and Development department is seeking an intern for its Building Safety team! This position will assist staff with business data compilation, analytics, process reporting, and presentation development for a variety of projects related to development permits and inspections. The primary project will involve comparative metrics from both regional and national inspection jurisdictions to assist in work volume management. Key responsibilities will include business documentation, data compilation and analytics, conducting research, participating in brainstorming sessions, engaging the public, and assisting with outreach.

You're a great fit if you:

Are motivated and dependable

Have an interest in public business process

Are comfortable interacting with other governmental agencies and the public

Have experience preparing presentations

Have good organizational and interpersonal skills

Have strong verbal and written communications skills

Are familiar with various data analytics platforms

Have the ability to juggle multiple assignments

Have flexibility to assist during evening or weekend hours (as needed)

About Us:

The City of Raleigh Planning and Development Department supports the city’s growth and development through planning, zoning, building safety, urban projects, and business strategy.

Duties and Responsibilities

Through a combination of workshops, mentorship, hands-on projects, and networking opportunities, the intern will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in various roles within the public sector. Students will work closely with experienced municipal government professionals, contribute to important projects and develop valuable skills in public administration. The intern experience includes a staff mentor and broad exposure to a wide range of public planning-related processes, including governing body, board/commission, and internal departmental meetings.

Typical Qualifications

Must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and a student in good academic standing. Preference for students enrolled in a program leading to a degree in Business Administration, Public Policy, Public Administration, or Communications. No previous office experience required. To perform this job successfully, an individual should have a strong writing skill and working knowledge of Office Suite software.

Additional Information

Knowledge of:

Basic understanding of public administration, business processes, or urban planning concepts

Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Awareness of data analytics principles and reporting methods

General knowledge of research techniques and information gathering

Skill in:

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to organize and manage multiple tasks effectively

Proficiency in creating clear and visually appealing presentations

Basic analytical and problem-solving skills

Comfortable using spreadsheets and data visualization tools

Ability to:

Work independently and collaboratively in a team environment

Learn new software and processes quickly

Maintain attention to detail while handling multiple assignments

Interact professionally with staff, other agencies, and the public

Adapt to changing priorities and deadlines