Community Development Intern Jobs in Puerto Rico

Location: Puerto Rico, San Juan - Onsite

Duration: This is a temporary, part-time position not to exceed 29 hours per week. 

We are seeking proactive, dynamic, and community-oriented college students committed to community resilience to join our team as Community Liaison Interns in the WCRP and Hazard Mitigation Program. This temporary position offers invaluable hands-on experience in the design and implementation of citizen engagement strategies, project management, and technical assistance in the development of Hazard Mitigation Plans under federal guidelines.

The primary objective of the intern will be to support the comprehensive coordination of public participation processes, ensuring that community voices are effectively integrated into planning efforts and that field logistics and operational activities are executed with excellence.

Key Responsibilities

The intern's duties are structured around three key areas:

Community Outreach and Meeting Logistics

• Outreach Support: Assist in promoting activities, including the distribution of informational materials, direct contact with community leaders, and support in local outreach and engagement strategies.
• Event Logistics and Setup: Actively assist in event preparation and day-of logistics, ensuring the setup and breakdown of necessary equipment (tables, chairs, sound systems, projectors, and interactive activity materials).
• Meeting Facilitation: Support the team with attendance registration, facilitation of working groups, and preparation of detailed meeting minutes during community assemblies and workshops.

Mitigation Planning and Risk Analysis Support

• Mitigation Workshop Logistics: Assist in designing and preparing educational and interactive materials (such as large-scale printed maps and visual tools) to help residents geographically identify areas vulnerable to flooding, landslides, and other hazards.
• Historical Event Research: Conduct research using historical data, news archives, and institutional reports regarding the impact of past disasters on the communities being studied.
• Field Validation: Accompany technical staff on site visits to collect photographic evidence, document the condition of critical infrastructure (shelters, bridges, pumping systems), and validate vulnerabilities reported by residents.

Data Processing and Administrative Documentation

• Data Entry and Analysis: Assist with entering survey data into spreadsheets (Excel) and generating simple charts and graphs to summarize key community concerns.
• Preparation of Socioeconomic Profiles: Collect updated demographic and socioeconomic data from official sources (such as the U.S. Census) to help focus mitigation strategies on vulnerable populations.
• Evidence Appendix Organization: Compile and maintain organized digital records that serve as official documentation for approval requirements (signed attendance sheets, captioned photographs, invitation correspondence, and promotional materials).

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear and detailed reports.
• Strong teamwork skills, empathy, and cultural sensitivity to respectfully engage with diverse communities.
• Basic proficiency in office software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Availability of working flexible hours in the field (community workshops may occasionally be scheduled in the evenings).

Bring your passion, expertise, and experience to IBTS, where we appreciate and are committed to our employees. We offer outstanding benefits, growth opportunities, and work hard to maintain a culture that values our employees. 

The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization established to provide unbiased professional building code compliance services, while enhancing the communities in which we work. At IBTS, our mission is to deliver quality services to meet the challenges of governance at all levels while enhancing public safety, economic development, and the general welfare of the community. Our services include Building and Community Development, Energy and Sustainability Services, Disaster Planning and Recovery, Quality Assurance, as well as Compliance and Risk Monitoring.

IBTS is headquartered in Ashburn, VA, with additional offices in Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC.

We are committed to building a community of experts with diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and perspectives who are passionate about our mission. IBTS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer that maintains a diverse and inclusive workforce.  All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or sexual orientation. This opportunity is open to Section S3 Residents.  Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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