Description

The City of Hamtramck is seeking a motivated and creative Economic Recovery Coordinator Intern to support the implementation of the City’s Economic Recovery Plan and related initiatives. This is a fully in-person internship based in Hamtramck, Michigan. This role is ideal for graduate students interested in hands-on public sector work at the intersection of economic development, housing, planning, and community engagement.

Hamtramck is a dense, two-square-mile city with a unique cultural identity and a highly active local economy. Interns will work closely with a young, innovative Community and Economic Development (CED) team, contributing directly to projects with real, visible impact on residents and businesses.

This position is an ideal opportunity for students to fulfill internship/practicum requirements for their degree, and CED staff is willing to collaborate with the intern to fulfill academic reporting requirements, as needed. While the ideal term period for the internship is June 1 – September 30, start and end dates can be negotiated to accommodate course schedules.

Position Overview:
The Economic Recovery Coordinator Intern will support research, planning, and implementation efforts related to long-term economic recovery, with a particular focus on housing stability, corridor revitalization, and industrial redevelopment. Funded by the Economic Development Administration, the current Economic Recovery Coordinator has completed multiple projects from the Economic Recovery Plan. The Graduate Intern will continue some of the projects started by the previous Coordinator, as well as start new ones. The role combines office-based work with substantial time in the field, engaging directly with sites, stakeholders, and partner agencies. 

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:
      Support implementation of the City’s Economic Recovery Plan, with emphasis on long-term strategies rather than short-term programming

      Assist with housing-focused initiatives, including research and rollout support for home repair and housing rehabilitation programs (e.g., HUD-funded efforts)

      Conduct research and support implementation for Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and industrial reuse projects

      Support downtown and corridor revitalization efforts, including coordination with Main Street and researching Tax Increment Financing (TIF) programs

      Collect, analyze, and visualize data related to economic development, housing, and land use; GIS skills are highly desirable

      Prepare memos, maps, presentations, and implementation tools for internal use and public-facing communication

      Participate in site visits, meetings with residents and business owners, and coordination with regional and state partners

Deliverables & Impact:
Interns will be expected to produce real-world deliverables, which may include:

      Research briefs and implementation memos

      GIS maps and spatial analyses

      Program frameworks or rollout materials

      Policy or funding strategy recommendations

      Resident-oriented brochures and information materials

      Other economic recovery-focused projects, as needed

Work completed during the internship will directly inform City decisions and may be incorporated into ongoing programs and grant applications.

Qualifications:
      Currently enrolled in, or graduating in 2026 from, a Master’s program in Urban Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Architecture, Geography, or a related field

      Strong interest in economic development, housing, and local government

      Comfort working in a fast-paced, resource-constrained municipal environment

      Ability to balance research with hands-on implementation

      GIS experience preferred but not required

      Strong writing, analytical, and communication skills

Additional Information:
      Fully in-person position, based in Hamtramck City Hall with time split between the CED office and the field, particularly in Hamtramck’s commercial corridors

      This is a full-time position; salary range from $25 to $34 per hour depending on qualifications

      40 hours a week office schedule, 8AM-4PM

Based on funding availability and performance, this role may lead to a full-time position with the city dependent on the City’s FY 2026–27 budget

Download application athttps://hamtramck.us / Resources, Employment Opportunities. Submit a completed application, resume, and phone numbers for 3 references to hr@hamtramckcity.gov and iallaway@hamtramckcity.gov. You can also bring completed applications to the Community and Economic Development Department at 3401 Evaline, Hamtramck MI (located in the Mezzanine).

The City of Hamtramck is an equal opportunity employer and will not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, height, marital or veteran status or the presence of medical conditions or disability. Michigan and Federal laws require employers to make accommodations to persons with a disability if the disability can be accommodated within certain guidelines, and the individual can perform the essential job duties with or without such accommodation. Persons with a disability may request an accommodation of their disability by notifying the City of Hamtramck City Manager’s office in writing of the need for accommodation.