Summer Intern, Public Space Management

Description

About the Internship

At the 16-acre World Trade Center (WTC) Campus, we're shaping one of the world's most iconic public spaces to be vibrant, inclusive, and future-ready. This summer, the WTC Campus Experience and Strategy Division (CESD) is looking for a Public Space Management Intern to help us bring public space to life through daily programming, amenities, and activations. The CES Division is responsible for a broad array of responsibilities beyond Public Space, including sustainability, resiliency, and transportation, among others.

This role primarily focuses on public space management and placemaking - the day-to-day programming, stewardship, and amenities that make public space welcoming. You will gain hands-on experience in public space management with exposure to how programing and amenities shape a world-class public space; there will be opportunities to test placemaking ideas that add vibrancy and character to the campus; and you will have direct exposure to sustainability, resiliency and transportation initiatives at a major public campus. In addition, you will develop a portfolio of visible work that demonstrates creativity, problem-solving and impact

Responsibilities

• Support Daily Programming and Placemaking: Help deliver and coordinate activities that animate streets, sidewalks, and plazas - from games and lending programs to seasonal events that bring creativity and playfulness to the campus.
• Enhance Public Space Amenities: Pilot and manage public space amenities (shade, seating, activities), track usage, and recommend improvements.
• Engage the Community: Collect on-the-ground feedback from visitors, office workers, and residents to strengthen the WTC as a true community asset.
• Benchmark Best Practices: Research leading public spaces and share insights with World Trade Center Leadership.
• Collaborative Exposure: Work occasionally with the WTC Campus Experience and Strategy Division Special Events team to support larger campus activations and see how events and daily place management connect.

• Enrollment at a college or university at the time of the internship
• Major in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Hospitality, Public Administration, Arts & Culture Management or related discipline
• Familiarity with 2D/3D modeling or design tools (Rhino, Enscape, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.)

• Passionate about people-centered design, public space programming, placemaking, and community engagement.
• Creative and curious - always looking for new ways to make spaces more welcoming, inclusive and engaging, and put the public realm to its highest and best uses.
• Comfortable standing for extended periods and working hands-on in busy public spaces.
• Willing to work evenings or weekends to conduct field research, support events/activations
• Comfortable working outdoors in an active campus environment, sometimes in hot summer weather
• A strong communicator who enjoys engaging with the public, campus partners and diverse stakeholders.

• The start date will be Thursday, May 28, 2026
• The internship will last approximately 12 weeks, ending on Friday, August 21, 2026
• This is a full-time internship (5 days per week at 7.25 hours per day)
• In accordance with Port Authority policy, this position permits interns to work remotely a maximum of one day per week. In person collaboration is essential to how the Port Authority conducts business and regular in-office days or team collaboration days may be required depending on business needs. Some internships may require interns to be fully in-person.

• Only applicants under consideration will be contacted
• If selected to move forward, the hiring team will reach out directly to schedule 1-2 interviews
• Different internships will have different timelines for interviews

• The hourly rate range is $18.07 to $30.31 (the exact rate will be determined by internship type and rising school year)
• Ability to opt in to the New York State and Local Retirement System
• Access to Employee Business Resource Groups
• Facility Tours
• Career Panels
• Social/Networking Events