Internship with the Dept of Land Conservation & Development (portland, OR)

Summer Internship Opportunity 2011
Department of Land Conservation & Development-
Natural Hazards Program

The State of Oregon, Department of Land Conservation and Development, Natural Hazards Program is pleased to announce one summer internship opportunity. The internship will give the selected student work experience performing a project or task that the Natural Hazards Program identifies as necessary to achieve its goals, and develop the student’s communication skills and knowledge of natural hazard planning and permitting practices and procedures.

One of the goals of the Natural Hazards Program is ensuring that Oregon’s flood-prone communities remain compliant with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by providing education, technical assistance, and program monitoring. Development within flood hazard zones is regulated by nearly all of Oregon’s cities and counties. The Natural Hazards Program administers the federal NFIP program at the state level, assisting and overseeing local activities.

This internship is intended to develop knowledge and skills that will be useful to anyone contemplating work as a land use planner for local or regional government. Duties during the internship will include some but not necessarily all of the following:

• Collecting and organizing information about floodplain management activities in select jurisdictions;
• Conducting field inspections of buildings for compliance with NFIP construction standards;
• Reviewing local zoning ordinances for compliance with the NFIP and Oregon building codes:
• Preparing maps using GIS to depict where flood hazard zone boundaries have changed because of revised FEMA maps;
• Composing articles for DLCD’s Natural Hazard News listserv; and
• Assisting local governments with compliance and permitting issues.

Specific projects and internship outcomes will be negotiated based upon selected student’s skills and interests.

The internship will begin with two weeks of intensive training on managing development in flood hazard zones according to NFIP standards and guidelines and state policy and law. Extensive in-state travel is likely. The internship will be supervised by DLCD’s Planning Services Division Manager and will work closely with the state’s NFIP Coordinator.

Skills required: The intern should have excellent writing, strong critical thinking and good oral communication skills. A strong interest in land use or hazard mitigation planning as a potential career is desired.

Type of student desired: Graduate or upper-level undergraduate student majoring in natural resources, environmental sciences, civil engineering, public policy, planning, or geography.

Compensation: $15/hour, a minimum of 32 hours and a maximum of 40 hours per week.

Duration: Maximum 12 week duration starting after June 1, 2011. The successful applicant must commit to completing the entire assignment.

To apply: Applications due by May 20, 2011. Please provide a resume and cover letter explaining how you have obtained the necessary skills for the position (as identified in the “skills required” section above) and why you are interested in this internship.

Please e-mail resume and cover letter to:

Rob Hallyburton, Manager
DLCD Planning Services Division
[email protected]

DLCD Flood Hazard site: http://www.oregon.gov/LCD/HAZ/floods.shtml