Overview
MSA is looking for a motivated, results-oriented Planning Intern in our Madison, WI office for the summer of 2024. This is a paid office based position that will offer the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals and gain valuable experience working on diverse projects, including housing plans, comprehensive plans, park and recreation planning, zoning administration, urban design, blight evaluation and more.
Who we are & how we help
What does it mean to serve communities for over 100 years? It means doing the type of work that helps people raise a family, grow a business, engage with their neighbors, and enjoy a variety of unique, enduring spaces that form the fabric of “home.”
MSA’s roots reach back to 1919. What began with an entrepreneurial solo practitioner in Baraboo, Wisconsin, has grown into a robust and thriving company of over 400 employee owners conducting work across the country. As a 100% employee-owned firm, when we say we “own” our work, we mean it. We stand behind the quality of our designs, the integrity of our people, and the generations of client relationships we’ve formed based on trust, firm handshakes, and the belief that together — we can accomplish anything.
Core Values
Commitment to DEI
MSA seeks to provide a workplace where everyone can feel secure in bringing their authentic selves to work, where opportunities to learn and succeed are afforded to all, and in which diversity of perspective leads to an innovative and successful employee-owned firm.
Responsibilities
The work you may do
- Assist with project research and creation of community planning documents using Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite and ArcGIS Online
- Create maps and illustrations for planning projects using Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite and ArcGIS Online
- Assist with in-person and online public engagement activities
- Collect, review, interpret, summarize, and present planning data
- Work as part of a team of planners, in collaboration with other design professionals to serve internal and external client needs
Qualifications
What you bringSkills & Knowledge / Education & Experience:
- Currently enrolled in pursuit of a Bachelor’s of Science or Master's Degree in an accredited planning program. The ideal candidate is a sophomore or junior pursuing their bachelors or a 1st year grad student in pursuit of their Masters
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop), ESRI ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS Online
- A desire to explore a profit-oriented career as a consultant in a multi-disciplinary design firm
- Interest in the forces and policies that affect community design and function
- Interest in engaging face-to-face with clients, the general public, and stakeholders in the process of community planning
- The ability to travel and attend occasional evening meetings for MSA's clients served out of the Madison office
- This position requires you to have authorization to work in the United States for any employer. MSA will not provide sponsorship for this position
Benefits
Why MSA? We're glad you asked!
- Better Together – A collaborative work environment that promotes open doors, new ideas and honest opinions.
- Multi-disciplinary Opportunities – As multi-talented people in a multi-disciplinary firm, we encourage everyone to follow their interests, seek new experiences and apply their skills where they feel most impactful.
- We’ve Got Your Back – Support when you need it, independence when you don’t. We’re 400+ team members strong, operating as one cohesive MSA.
- Passion & Purpose – We’re passionate about what we do and proud of it! Join us to share inspirations, “geek out” and think big.
- Pay & Perks – We offer competitive industry pay and a variety of perks — just a few of the things that make us uniquely MSA.
- Communities of Practice – Our CoPs are our company think tanks and idea generators, the perfect means to regularly share, collaborate and learn together.
- Work-Life Integration – Life doesn’t stop when the work day begins. MSA supports our employees as professionals, parents, citizens and friends — with the understanding and flexibility to meet your obligations and balance your time.
- Commitment to Learning – We support the professional aspirations of our employees with ongoing training options, tuition reimbursement opportunities, and the technology to keep us connected, creative and competitive.
- Community Engagement – We give back to the communities in which we live, work and play. MSA employee owners are volunteers, educators, STEM outreach participants and event attendees, supported by dedicated corporate sponsorship and donations initiatives.
There’s more! Eligible employees will also enjoy the following benefits:
- Quality Insurance Options – Medical, dental and vision coverage for you, your spouse or domestic partner and eligible dependents — all starting on your date of hire (no waiting period).
- Paid Time Off – All full-time employees will receive, at minimum, 17 days (that’s 3+ weeks!) of paid time off in the first year alone.
- Paid Holidays – MSA offers time off pay for 8 holidays in every calendar year.
- Paid Parental Leave – Both parents will receive 2 weeks of paid time off and birth parents are eligible for additional paid time off under MSA’s Short Term Paid Leave. The paid 2 weeks of time also applies to adoption and foster care placement.
- Supplemental Insurance – MSA pays 100% for all employees to have life insurance, long-term disability insurance and short-term disability insurance.
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – MSA is an ESOP S-Corporation, which means that our company is 100% owned by us! Through the ESOP, eligible employees receive MSA stock in the form of company shares as a percentage of compensation, at no cost to the employee.
- 401k Retirement Savings Plan – Employees can also choose to participate in a 401k plan, with a generous employer match that is immediately 100% vested.
- Short Term Incentive (STIP) – This program rewards employees who meet performance goals with a one-time annual STIP payment as a percentage of their eligible compensation — recognition of individual accomplishments and achieving organizational goals. STIP payments are awarded if MSA reaches its corporate financial plan for the year.
MSA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. At MSA, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [email protected]
Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer