Summer 2021 Graduate Kent Butler Student Internship

 The Kent Butler Student Internship was established in honor of former University of Texas Community and Regional Planning (UTCRP) faculty member Kent Butler, who was a long-time leader in environmental planning in Central Texas. The internship fund allows UTCRP to partner with local agencies or organizations to offer full time summer internships focused on environmental planning issues. 

Overview: We are hiring a Graduate Student Intern to assist us with the Scenic City Certification Program (SCCP) expansion, research, and creation of best practices case studies. Within the SCCP 10 tenants of visual environment conservation have been identified and more than 5,000 ordinances have been reviewed and catalogued related to these aesthetics. By compiling best practices and capturing associated municipal planning and policy, these case studies can further serve rural to mid-size Texas communities. A visual compendium of the best practice studies will be the final result of this project and will help inform the next iteration of the SCCP. 

Scenic Texas, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of our state’s visual environment, particularly as seen by the traveling public. We are the only state nonprofit that helps citizens safeguard the scenic qualities of Texas roadways, countryside, and communities. For more information, visit scenictexas.org. 

Responsibilities: 

• Focus of internship is on Scenic City Certification Program (SCCP) 

• Review and assess current SCCP, partners, council, and cities 

• Identify top examples in policy and implementation of SCCP 10 tenants of visual environment conservation 

• Catalog gathered ordinances 

• Complete 10 case studies including best practices, policies, and visual representation of diverse municipalities. Together these can create one compendium for planning guidance to be implemented by rural to mid-size communities. This guide will act as a lexicon for visual environment conservation, planning, and policy development. 

Qualifications: 

• Experience in municipal policy and planning 

• Strong attention to detail 

• Self-motivated and well-organized 

• Excellent research skills 

• Motivation to work on substantive scenic conservation topics 

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite 

• Must possess excellent judgment and discretion 

• Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and complete work independently 

• Graphic design experience or knowledge is a plus 

Hours: 30-40 hours per week, hours are flexible. 

Location: Interns will work remotely. 

Compensation: $17 per hour. Transportation and some lunches reimbursement is offered. 

Benefits: The successful completion of this internship will result in Interns will work directly with Scenic Texas staff and have mentorship opportunities with the many accomplished members of our Board of Directors. Interns will have many professional development and networking opportunities and have the opportunity to publish their work in Scenic Texas briefs, newsletters, online communications and website. 

HOW TO APPLY: Send resume and cover letter with the subject line “SCCP Summer Internship 2021” to: csd@austin.utexas.edu. Summer 2021 internship will run from June 14, 2021 to August 13, 2021, with some flexibility in start and end dates. 

Deadline for applications is May 15, 2021. Short-listed applicants will attend an initial interview via video conference. 

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