College Aide, Public Engagement

The Public Engagement Group within the division of Transportation Planning & Management (TPM) is seeking a creative and curious College Intern to support our visual storytelling, content development, and digital asset organization efforts. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience developing visual materials that make complex planning concepts and public engagement processes more accessible to diverse audiences while contributing to meaningful public engagement projects across the city.

Under the guidance of the Creative Communications Lead, the college aide will contribute to a range of projects supporting both in-the-field and behind-the-scenes work. The intern will help document community outreach and produce illustrated graphics, visual explainers, and storytelling materials. This role is ideal for someone who is a creative illustrator with a range of skills, an interest to learn, is detail-oriented, and thrives in a collaborative environment.

What You’ll Do
- Create illustrations and graphics for outreach materials, presentations, and internal communications
- Translate planning concepts and public engagement processes into clear, accessible visuals/materials
- Contribute to visual storytelling projects, including comic-style narratives and illustrated/animated explainers
- Develop visual story boards or visual sequences that may support short animations or digital storytelling initiatives
- Assist with documenting community engagement by capturing high-quality photos and short video clips
- Help organize and maintain our ever-growing photo and digital asset library
- Provide support for additional creative projects across the unit
As such, this role includes Illustration, animation, photography, videography, editing, and a willingness to learn new creative modalities.

TPM is responsible for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods on the City's streets, supporting the larger goals of economic and social vitality for people living, working, and doing business in New York City. The Division’s responsibilities include planning, street design, technical analysis, signs, transit development, freight mobility and markings, ensuring the safety of motor vehicle occupants, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Preferred Skills
Must Haves: Strong illustration or graphic design skills (Adobe Illustrator or similar). Ability to create visual narratives, diagrams, or illustrated graphics to communicate information clearly. Solid communication skills (written and verbal). Ability to work independently and take ownership of small projects. Strong organizational skills for handling digital files and tasks.
Like to Haves: Experience with storyboarding, comics, or sequential illustration. Interest in animation or motion graphics. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator and InDesign preferred). Photography and basic photo editing skills. Interest in public engagement, civic communication, or urban planning

Additional Information
Applicants are encouraged to submit a portfolio demonstrating illustration, graphic design, or visual storytelling work.

Hours/Shift: 35 hrs. / 9 – 5

Work Location: 55 Water St, New York, NY

To Apply
All resumes are to be submitted electronically using one of the following methods:
Current city employees, please log into Employee Self Service, follow the Careers Link and search for JOB ID # 778944
All other applicants, go to www.nyc.gov/careers and search for JOB ID # 778944
No phone calls, faxes or personal inquiries permitted. Only applicants under consideration will be contacted.
Most public libraries have computers available for use.
Note: New hires must reside in NYC for the first two years of employment. Appointments are subject to OMB approval.
For more information about DOT, visit us at: www.nyc.gov/dot.

COLLEGE AIDE (ALL CITY DEPTS) - 10209

For Assignment Level I:
Matriculation at an accredited college or graduate school. Employment is conditioned upon continuance as a student in a college or graduate school.
For Assignment Level II (Information Technology):
Matriculation at an accredited college or graduate school. Employment is conditioned upon continuance as a student in a college or graduate school with a specific course of study in information technology, computer science, management information systems, data processing, or closely related field, including or supplemented by 9 semester credits in an acceptable course of study.
For Assignment Level III (Information Technology Fellow):
Matriculation at an accredited college or graduate school. Employment is conditioned upon continuance as a student in a college or graduate school with a specific course of study in information technology, computer science, management information systems, data processing, or other area relevant to the information technology project(s) assigned, including or supplemented by 9 semester credits in an acceptable course of study. Appointments to this Assignment Level will be made by the Technology Steering Committee through the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications.

SPECIAL NOTE
Maximum tenure for all Assignment Levels in the title of College Aide is 6 years. No student shall be employed more than half-time in any week in which classes in which the student is enrolled are in session. Students may be employed full-time during their vacation periods.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.