GIS Intern – Parcel & Data Integrity Support

Atlanta, GA, United States

Salary: $17.00 hourly

General Description

Supports the Department of Parks and Recreation’s geospatial initiatives by assisting with data creation, editing, validation, and documentation. This role contributes to the development of authoritative datasets, parcel fabric, and public-facing resources aligned with Activate ATL’s Invest, Connect, Grow framework. The intern will gain hands-on experience with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and field data collection tools while supporting planning, asset management, socio-economic equity and access analysis, and environmental stewardship across Atlanta’s park and recreation system, including trails like Atlanta’s Beltline.

Works under the Supervision of the GIS Manager and may receive guidance from DPR staff, GIS professionals, and project partners. Collaborates with others and works independently as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Identify priority areas for park expansion to increase park acreage and improve access for underserved populations.
• Edit and validate parcel boundaries using ArcGIS Pro and high-resolution imagery.
• Support parcel fabric creation, topology rules and record-driven editing.
• Perform QA/QC checks to ensure spatial data accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
• Digitize park assets, recreation sites, natural areas, invasive species and coordinate geometry (COGO) from imagery and official documents to create or update layers.
• Assess tree canopy coverage across parks, city property and ROW segments.
• Support tree planting prioritization through spatial analysis and mapping.
• Compile and organize legislation, deeds, surveys, joint use agreements, and other official documents in SharePoint, ensuring consistent filenames and folder structure, review and organize archived plan rolls. 
• Contribute to interactive maps, dashboards, and ArcGIS Hub content.
• Prepare metadata and documentation for authoritative data publication.
• Participate in team meetings, training sessions, and professional development.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and geospatial data formats.
• Ability to read and interpret site plans, surveys, and legal documents.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
• Interest in urban planning, parks, environmental conservation, or public service.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a professional setting.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Education and Experience

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Bachelor’s program in Geography, Environmental Science, Urban Planning, or a related field. 

Preferred Requirements:

• 2-3 Years of experience with ArcGIS software and spatial data.

Work Environment

• Required physical, lifting, and sensory capabilities are requirements to perform the job successfully. Typical environmental conditions associated with the job.

Lifting Requirements 

• Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.

It is the policy of the City of Atlanta (“COA”) that qualified individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against because of their disabilities regarding job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the COA to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. The COA is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Director for your department.

The City of Atlanta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran's status or national origin, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.