Kelly OConnor

9/9/2015
ENG 2116
Description for Job Posting
(GIS Planning Intern)

As an intern for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Department I

would be one of fifty-seven individuals responsible for dealing with
zoning administration, sustainable development, economic growth,
overseeing appeals, managing the historic district and lastly, improving
neighborhoods and business corridors for the betterment of our city.
The planning department is part of the local government chain of
command, and reports directly to both our local citizens and as well as
our politicians. The qualifications for my role include both technical
ability and the aptitude to apply that ability meaningfully. Specifically,
the role demands familiarity with the ESRI software suite (ArcGIS,
ArcMap and ArcGIS online,) Microsoft excel, expertise with cartographic
design and an understanding of how the planning process works.
The planning departments statement mission is: to provide
integrated planning services that promote sustainable growth and
improve our communitys quality of life. Although the department is
small, the staff serves more than 800,000 residents of our city with this
mission. Many of the staff members hold city-driving permits and often
will have to go off-site to visit specific areas in order to survey them.
Being comfortable with such a responsibility is a requirement for the
role.
Since they are an essential part of the city operations the
planning department takes up an entire floor in the main government
center building. This is designed specifically so they are able to

communicate with other branches of our government with ease. The

Mecklenburg City Government fosters this strategy in order to create
an efficient work relationship.