Who are we?

DesegregateCT is a pro-homes coalition of neighbors and nonprofits advocating for more equitable, affordable, and environmentally-sustainable land use policies in Connecticut, with a focus on expanding the diversity and supply of our housing stock. Formed in June 2020, in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd and the renewed conversation on racial justice, our work is about first imagining and then enacting a new vision for local and state land use policies that promotes racial, economic, and climate justice. Read more about our work in our Annual Reports.

The work of DesegregateCT focuses on three primary functions: educating the public through workshops, trainings, and issue briefs; researching current land use policies and measuring the positive impact of reforms; and organizing advocacy campaigns at the state and local levels, focusing on empowering local residents to speak for the kinds of changes they want to see. 

Intern or Volunteer with DesegregateCT!

Planning & GIS Fellow

Timeframe: From late May - end of August (option to extend into the fall if necessary for internship credit).

Location: Remote, with optional travel for in-person meetings and events.

We are looking for a graduate-level fellow passionate about housing, transit, and public policy to join DesegregateCT’s team for Summer 2025, with an option to extend into the fall if necessary. This role is ideal for someone looking to gain experience in urban planning, GIS, local zoning, and statewide policy implementation. You will play a critical role in helping with Work Live Ride, our legislative proposal to create more transit-oriented communities across Connecticut, by tracking municipal progress, assisting in outreach, and supporting zoning reform efforts across the state.

What you will do:

• Support the implementation of Work Live Ride, our legislative initiative that encourages zoning for more homes near bus and rail stations, which we hope to pass in early June.

• Create GIS mock-ups and zoning overlays to visualize potential transit-oriented development opportunities.

• Conduct zoning research to identify priority towns and cities and evaluate readiness to opt into the program.

• Help draft and present materials to local planning and zoning commissions, elected officials, and town staff.

• Assist in updating our candidate and commissioner training series for land use leaders, incorporating findings from your research.

• Contribute to Transit Oriented Community (TOC) Walk Audits, research projects, and statewide public education efforts, such as the candidate and commissioner workshops.

• Collaborate with the DesegregateCT and Regional Plan Association teams, with opportunities to engage in research projects.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; majors such as Urban Studies, Public Policy, Geography, Environmental Studies, Political Science, or Economics are a plus.

• Currently enrolled in (preferably 2nd year) or recently completed a graduate program in Urban Planning, Public Policy, Geography, or a closely related discipline.

• Proficiency with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS), and a demonstrated interest in zoning, land use, and housing policy.

• Excellent research and writing skills, particularly in policy analysis and planning contexts.

• Ability to work independently in a remote setting, with consistent communication through tools like Slack and Zoom.

• Deep commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and sustainability in communities through zoning reform in Connecticut.

• Connecticut ties or familiarity with Connecticut’s planning and zoning landscape are strongly preferred.

Why this is a great opportunity:

You’ll be on the frontlines of transforming how towns and cities in Connecticut plan for growth, gaining hands-on experience in zoning, mapping, legislative implementation, and grassroots advocacy. You’ll also help build the movement for better housing and transit policy across the state. Plus, this summer, you will have the unique opportunity to be part of the planning for YIMBYtown 2025, the national pro-homes conference we’re hosting in New Haven this September.

To Apply:

This is a paid opportunity ($20/hour, ~15 hours per week) remote summer fellowship. Open to graduate-level students with ties to Connecticut. We strongly encourage those with lived experiences of housing insecurity to apply. This position will commence in late-May and might continue into the fall if necessary.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and a GIS-related project you have completed (and feel free to include an optional ~30s video explaining your interest) to info@desegregatect.org by April 30th, 2025. We will be reviewing applicants on a rolling basis.