Employment opportunities with the Des Moines Area MPO will be posted here as they become available.
NOW HIRING: Planning Intern
The Des Moines Area MPO has an excellent temporary opportunity available for an energetic, skilled, dependable, self-motivated, and proactive Planning Intern to join our team.
The internship:
- Will begin May 2025 and end August 2025 (possible extension depending on MPO needs and mutual interest);
- Will be for 40 hours per week;
- Will exclude working on the Memorial Day and the Independence Day holidays;
- Will be paid at a rate of $18.00 per hour; and
The primary role of the intern will be to assist the MPO staff in transportation planning projects, including but not limited to the following:
- Developing plans, studies, and reports;
- Using GIS to develop maps and perform data analysis;
- Delivering presentations to boards and committees;
- Facilitating public engagement.
The intern will be expected to:
- Enter data and prepare document text and graphics using word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software;
- Possess excellent written and oral communication skills, as the MPO staff regularly communicates with our member governments and their staffs, as well as the many agencies and organizations involved in the MPO’s planning process;
- Can attend MPO committees, subcommittees, work groups, and roundtable meetings;
- Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to analyze various data and to produce maps; and
- Complete other tasks, as assigned, including researching, summarizing, and using data collected from various sources, including the Internet, to prepare work documents.
Intern applicants should:
- Have completed at least one year of course work, pursuing a degree in urban, community and/or regional planning. Ideally candidates will have an emphasis in transportation planning, environmental planning, sustainability, or geographic information system (GIS);
- Have word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software knowledge;
- Have an interest, and preferably experience, with geographic information system (GIS);
- Have a valid driver’s license;
- Be prepared to accomplish his/her work at the MPO’s office located in Des Moines, IA, including travelling to the office at his/her own expense;
- Expect to be working with computer applications for most of the workday;
- Have the ability to work both independently and as a productive and contributory member of the MPO team;
- Understand that this position requires sitting for a majority of the work period, with intermittent standing, bending, or carrying of light items such as papers and books;
- Understand that employment with the MPO is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment physical and drug test;
- Understand that the MPO is a non-smoking, drug-free work environment; and,
- Understand that the MPO is a professional office where employees always adhere to a dress code and to a code of conduct, as outlined in the MPO’s Employee Handbook.
If interested in this internship, please submit the following, via mail or email, to the address below:
- Click here to complete the online application form.
- A letter of interest explaining why the MPO should select you for the MPO’s Summer 2025 Internship; and,
- A current resume, including a valid email address and phone number.
Mail: Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
Attn: Dylan Mullenix
Executive Director 420 Watson Powell, Suite 200
Des Moines, IA 50309
Email: dmullenix@dmampo.org
The Executive Director will evaluate the submitted internship applications to determine applicants deemed best qualified to interview for the MPO internship, and the MPO staff will contact, by email or phone, any applicant selected for an interview.
The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is an equal opportunity employer.
Qualified disabled applicants who need a reasonable accommodation to attend the interview must inform this office before the interview date.
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled Date Released: March 12, 2025