Planning, Design & Development Summer 2026 Intern

The goal of the Planning, Design & Development (PDD) Internship is to provide students with the opportunity to gain hands on experience in planning, designing, and developing parks and recreation facilities including bikeways and trails, water access sites, athletic fields, park improvements, recreation center upgrades, and more. Students will have the opportunity to enhance their design and master planning skills, become immersed in the budget, financial, and project management of various development projects in the pipeline, or currently in progress. 

The position will be responsible for supporting the PDD Division with the aim of delivering amazing parks and recreation amenities for the community delivered through the Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Students will have the ability to work within the PDD design studio in conjunction with frequently visiting project sites currently under construction and participating in public engagement opportunities.

Day to Day duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Working under the supervision of an Active Transportation Planner or Senior Landscape Architect, assists with all aspects of the design and development of parks and recreation assets and amenities such as parks, athletic fields, water access sites, bikeways and trails, and recreation centers.
• Review and provide input on parks and recreation long range plans (i.e., Active Transportation Plan, Outdoors Plan, Parks Needs Assessment & Development Strategy).
• Site plan review of private development and City project construction documents.
• Sketch, design, or develop parks and recreation sketch plans, master plans, maps, and/or construction details for various projects.
• Develop visual graphics/renderings for stakeholder and public engagement meetings.
• Conduct project management for various projects.
• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned
  
   

Physical Demands:

As an intern, you must be able to:

• Stand for extended periods.
• Move around on a variety of uneven surfaces, including sand, gravel, grass, and asphalt.
• Lift and move up to 50 pounds with assistance.
• Perform physical tasks such as kneeling, crouching, bending, and carrying equipment as needed.
• Work primarily outdoors in all weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, rain, and snow.
   

.Requirements:

• Must be able to work independently according to standard procedures and/or written or verbal instructions.
• Must be able to work a varied schedule; days, evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays to meet operational needs.
• This position will work in an administrative office environment as well as outdoors at parks and facilities when assisting with operations, programs, and events.
• Must be clean, neat, and presentable following Department and Unit Dress Code Policy.
• Must have a VA or NC Driver’s License
• Encouraged and/or required to attend the following training courses necessary to our unit: Defensive Driving, Crowd Management, and First Aid

Additional Requirements:

• Must be able to work independently according to standard procedures and/or written or verbal instructions.
• Must be able to work a varied schedule; days, evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays to meet operational needs.
• This position will work in an administrative office environment as well as outdoors at parks and facilities when assisting with operations, programs, and events.
• Must be clean, neat, and presentable following Department Dress Code Policy.
• Must have a VA or NC Driver’s License
• Encouraged and/or required to attend the following training courses necessary to our unit: Defensive Driving, Crowd Management, and First Aid
   

Application Deadline: 

The Application window will remain open until the set time or until the position has been filled.

Schedule & Hours:

Candidates typical work week will be 20-40 hours unless otherwise agreed upon. The schedule will be varied by days, evenings, weekends, holidays, and program schedule needs. The applicant is responsible to provide their own transportation to and from work during the internship.

Expected Duration:

May/June 2026 – August 15, 2026  (Approximately13 weeks, can be adjusted based upon school requirements).

Required Education:  

Candidates pursuing a degree in  Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Project Management, or similar related field.

• Eligibility: Must be a currently enrolled student (in an associate's, bachelor's, master's degree or PhD program) and be in good academic standing as determined by the school, college, or university.

Required Attachments:

Please include Cover Letter, Resume, and Unofficial Transcript.

The City of Virginia Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer.