Community Planning Intern

Job Description

About IOV Community Planning + Consulting

IOV Community Planning + Consulting is a planning consultancy established in 2022. It was founded with the core mission of providing high-quality planning assistance to towns and cities across Maine. The firm’s approach uniquely blends values-based public engagement with data-driven technical expertise.

Initially focused on general planning assistance, IOV has expanded its services significantly to include comprehensive community development consulting. This encompasses areas such as grant-writing, strategic economic development, historic preservation, and design guidance.

Despite being a small firm, IOV is described as “mighty” and “dynamic,” making a significant impact across the state of Maine. The company is in a growth phase, and this Community Planning Intern role represents its first formal hire. This offers a rare opportunity for the intern to directly help shape the direction of a growing company dedicated to meaningful work. Further information and project examples are available on their website, iovplanning.com.

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Community Planning Intern – Job Description

Job Title: Community Planning Intern

Location: Flexible within Maine. While primarily remote, occasional in-person meetings and events require the intern to reside in Maine for the fall semester.

Time Commitment: 16–20 hours per week, with a flexible schedule depending on the intern’s availability.

Pay: $20 per hour.

Purpose/Overview:
This internship offers a hands-on opportunity to support a small but impactful planning consultancy dedicated to shaping vibrant, future-ready communities throughout Maine. The intern will gain direct experience in various aspects of planning by collaborating with the Owner + Principal Planner, local governments, and community members, ranging from tight-knit rural villages to larger college towns. The role focuses on land use, economic development, and community development.

Key Responsibilities (“What You’ll Do”):
• Assist in research, data collection, and analysis for a wide range of planning projects statewide.
• Prepare essential project materials, including maps, graphics, and written content for reports and public presentations.
• Attend client meetings and public workshops, with in-person attendance required approximately once per month or more, depending on interest and availability.
• Contribute to community engagement strategies, including designing and implementing surveys and general public outreach.
• Research and compile potential funding sources for identified community projects.
• Collaborate on developing innovative solutions to real-world planning challenges faced by Maine communities.

Qualifications (“What We’re Looking For”):
• Education: Current student or recent graduate in a relevant field such as urban planning, environmental science, geography, public policy, economics, political science, or a related discipline. Undergraduate or graduate students with a foundational understanding of planning principles are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Skills: Strong written, verbal, and graphic communication skills are essential.
• Attributes: The ideal candidate will be curious, collaborative, and ready to “roll up their sleeves” for hands-on work.
• Passion: A genuine passion for Maine communities and an interest in working across diverse geographies with vastly differing population needs is crucial.
• Technical Plus: Experience with ArcGIS, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and/or data visualization tools is a significant advantage.

Logistics & Details:
• Schedule: Flexible, 16–20 hours per week.
• Work Arrangement: Primarily remote work, with occasional travel required for in-person meetings and events. Due to the in-person requirement, interns should reside in Maine for the fall semester.
• Start Date: September 2nd, 2025.
• Duration: The internship is paid for the entirety of the fall semester.
• Future Potential: There is a potential for extension of the internship or future employment based on performance and firm needs.

To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume in PDF format to isabelle@iovplanning.com. The email subject line must be “Fall Internship Application.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates will be promptly contacted for a preliminary Zoom interview.