JOB DESCRIPTION

The City of Oakdale's mission is to provide high-quality, reliable services and foster a safe, clean, and welcoming community.

Description

Are you looking for an opportunity to transform your classroom knowledge into real world experience? Oakdale is hiring for a full-time summer intern in its Community Development department.

Under general supervision, this temporary intern position will have the opportunity to learn about local land use in its practical application by working with development applications, attending Planning Commission meetings, and assisting with staff correspondence. The successful candidate will be able to take the knowledge gained of the basic tenets of planning, including planning history, law, and theory in the educational setting and see how it is applied during the actual municipal land use process. Curiosity, reliability, and a willingness to learn are all essential to having a great intern experience.

Expectations

The essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Work collaboratively with other staff to provide excellent and responsive public service
• Review requests for land use and subdivision applications, with guidance from the City Planner
• Assist the Planning Manager and Community Development staff to write and present staff reports, memos, and correspondence
• Assist City Staff in the 2050 Comprehensive Plan update process, with special attention to land use, housing, and economic development content
• Attend Planning Commission meetings, Development Review Committee meetings, Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM) professional development events, and public engagement events as needed
• Assist in administering economic development programs, including the Business Retention, Expansion, and Attraction Program
• Work with the City Planner and the Code Enforcement Officer to initiate actions necessary to enforce any deficiencies or violations of regulations
• Conduct in-person site visits to ensure development projects conform to approved plans, with guidance from the City Planner or Community Development staff
• Maintain land use record management
• Ability to research and analyze data and information
• Monitor local economy, housing legislation, and neighborhood needs to improve economic development / housing programs and policies
• Provide routine customer service including reception support
• Represent the city in a courteous, responsive, and professional manner in all interactions
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
• Able to communicate tactfully and professionally to a variety of stakeholders and interested parties
• Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum qualifications

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the formal education, experience and training required.

Education

• Recent degree or currently enrolled in a bachelor's or master's program with a concentration in urban planning, land use planning, economic development, housing, public administration or closely related field

Experience

• Customer service experience including working with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Working proficiency with spatial analysis: map interpretation and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Trainings, Certificates, and Licenses

Desired qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the formal education, experience and training preferred in order to exceptionally perform all of the functions of this position.

Education

• Masters degree in a closely related field

Experience

• Office/professional workplace experience including working with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Proficiency with Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

BENEFITS

Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST)

• Seasonal employees are eligible for Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) as required by Minnesota Statutes.

Minnesota Paid Leave (MPL)

• MPL is a public insurance program providing eligible employees with paid leave for family and medical reasons beginning January 1, 2026.