Intern - GIS

The Muscatine Area Geographic Information Consortium (MAGIC) and Muscatine Power & Water (MPW) are offering a paid GIS internship opportunity for Summer 2026. This internship is designed for students or recent graduates who are passionate about geography, cartography, and geospatial technologies, and who are eager to gain hands-on experience in a collaborative, real-world environment.

About MAGIC & Muscatine Power and Water

MAGIC is a local government consortium providing GIS services and data to the City of Muscatine, Muscatine County, and Muscatine Power & Water. MPW is a community-owned utility serving electric, water, and communications needs. Together, we offer a dynamic environment where GIS plays a critical role in infrastructure planning, asset management, and public service.

Internship Overview

- The GIS intern will work closely with MPW's GIS team to support daily operations and contribute to strategic projects. This includes:

- Updating and maintaining MPW-specific GIS data using ArcGIS Pro.

- Creating dashboards and Survey123 forms to enhance data visualization and field data collection.

- Supporting fiber management conversion efforts by assisting with data editing and cross-training across electric, water, and fiber systems.

- Exploring AI integration in GIS workflows, such as automating data classification, enhancing spatial analysis, or improving map feature recognition.

- Interns will rotate through different tasks and collaborate with team members to gain a well-rounded experience. Daily check-ins and weekly meetings will ensure consistent support and learning.

Responsibilities

- Edit and maintain geospatial datasets in ArcGIS Pro.

- Design and implement dashboards using ArcGIS Online.

- Build and deploy Survey123 forms for field data collection.

- Assist with fiber, electric, and water system mapping and updates.

- Participate in AI-related GIS projects (e.g., using machine learning for spatial analysis or automating geoprocessing tasks).

- Provide feedback on existing web maps, mobile apps, and GIS services.

- Conduct field data collection using GPS equipment.

- Develop Python scripts or ModelBuilder workflows for geoprocessing tasks.

Time Frame: The intern is projected to work 40 hours/week for approximately 10-12 weeks beginning in late May, but some scheduled time off could be arranged within that timeframe.

Qualifications

- Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a program in Geography, GIS, Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Engineering, or a related field.

- Familiarity with GIS principles and Esri software (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online).

- Basic understanding of Python scripting and/or ModelBuilder.

- Experience with Microsoft Office.

- Bonus: Exposure to AI tools, machine learning concepts, or automation in GIS.

- Strong analytical and spatial thinking.

- Effective verbal and written communication.

- Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

- Willingness to work outdoors for field data collection.