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.

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.

• 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)

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.

Hiring Ranges:
$17.85 per hour (undergraduate students)
$21.00 per hour (graduate students)

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

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.

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.

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