Right of Way & Franchise Utilities Intern

About the role

The City of Bellevue’s Right of Way Management and Franchise Utilities team is seeking a driven and curious graduate student to serve as a Policy and Procedures Intern. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in policy research, process evaluation, and interdepartmental collaboration. You will play a key role in aligning the team’s internal practices with broader citywide policies and initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on existing citywide policies, strategic plans, and initiatives that intersect with Right of Way Management responsibilities.
• Analyze current internal procedures and practices within the Right of Way Management team to identify areas of alignment or inconsistency with broader city policies.
• Aid in developing updated internal guidance, standard operating procedures, and documentation to support improved consistency, efficiency, and transparency.
• Recommend and implement improvements that promote policy compliance, operational clarity, and alignment with city goals.
• Work collaboratively with staff across departments, including Legal, Development Services, and Transportation, to clarify expectations and improve cross-departmental coordination.
• Lead or support the drafting of process maps, checklists, templates, and written protocols to ensure consistency and ease of implementation.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of revised procedures through staff feedback, performance tracking, and other qualitative and quantitative data.
• Demonstrate leadership by taking initiative, managing project components, and proactively identifying areas for refinement.
• Assist with other process improvement and policy alignment initiatives as needed.

Qualifications

• Enrollment: Must be enrolled in a graduate program.
• Field of Study: Should be targeting a degree in public administration or a related field.
• Experience: Previous work experience is preferred.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in using PC-based word processing and spreadsheet software.