Urban Design Intern (P/T Position)
The Union Square Partnership (USP) is the leading advocate for the Union Square-14th Street district. The organization includes two 501(c)(3), non-profit organizations including a local development corporation and Manhattan’s first Business Improvement District (BID). For over 45 years, USP has worked to ensure the best possible neighborhood for its residents, businesses, and visitors. USP’s programs include sanitation, public safety, economic development, public programming, and marketing services, and we invest in the beautification and maintenance of Union Square Park – the district’s crown jewel. We are dedicated to this neighborhood, and work 24/7 to make sure that Union Square remains a phenomenal place to live, work, visit, and learn. The organization is overseen by the Executive Director and a Board of Directors comprised of Union Square’s leading civic leaders from the corporate sector, academic institutions, and cultural community.
As the Urban Design Intern you will …
Work with the Director of Planning to develop urban design studies, visualizations, and communication materials focused on upcoming public realm activations, and long-term design strategies to advance the USQNext District Vision Plan. In this role, you will learn about USP’s activities as a BID advocating for Union Square-14th Street’s diverse community partners across the public and private sectors and focus on place management best-practice in Union Square Park, and the district’s public plazas, and streetscapes.
Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to…
- Preparing urban design graphic materials including maps, diagrams, infographics, sketches, and renderings to be used in marketing and planning communications for local stakeholders and City agencies.
- Conducting field studies including pedestrian counts and public life surveys focused on the user experiences within Union Square’s public realm.
- Assisting with the development of new public art initiatives, including artist and vendor coordination, grant and sponsorship applications, and long-term strategy to expand USP’s public art program.
- Supporting data collection and analysis to capture the district’s economic, demographic, and real estate trends.
What you’ll need to excel in this position…
- Current enrollment in a graduate program in Urban Design, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, and/or another relevant field. Recent graduates are not eligible for this position.
- Exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to work both independently and with a team.
- Excellent visual and written communication skills.
- Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Sketchup, Rhino, and ArcGIS/QGIS.
- Familiarity with the Union Square neighborhood and a basic understanding of planning issues concerning adjacent neighborhoods in Midtown South, Greenwich Village, and the Lower East Side.
- Ability to commit to up to 20 hours per week (in-person) during the fall semester, with the potential to extend the length of the internship into the spring semester.
What it’s like working at USP
- We are a dynamic team of public space management and community-building professionals with a deep love and appreciation for the history and potential of the Union Square-14th Street district.
- Our culture is built on transparency and all members of the team are welcome at all board and committee meetings so that everyone has a deeper understanding of how decisions are made – and your input is always welcome!
- Our team is currently working in our Union Square office four days a week, and remote one day a week. With multiple touch-bases throughout the week and chances to interact in the field, there is always an opportunity to develop relationships with every member of our team.
Interested in joining the USP team? Here’s how you apply!
USP is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. The pay range for this position is $20-25/hr commensurate with experience.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and relevant urban design work samples or portfolio to jobs@unionsquarenyc.org. Please put “Urban Design Intern” in the subject line. Relevant urban design work samples may include maps, diagrams, renderings, infographics, data analysis, etc. Please use a file-sharing website like DropBox or WeTransfer for files over 3 MB. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis through Friday, September 27, 2024.