Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Intern - Fall 2026
Agency
SafetyDivision
70000075 Dept of Public SafetyJob Classification Title
Student Intern (S)Position Number
Grade
PORT 12About Us
The Department of Public Safety's mission is to safeguard and preserve the lives and property of the people of North Carolina through preparation, prevention, and protection with integrity and honor. Our agency houses many public safety divisions, including Emergency Management, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Alcohol Law Enforcement, Samarcand Training Academy, and the North Carolina National Guard. Join us along with our more than 3,000 employees and 12,000 National Guard members in providing exceptional public safety services to the citizens of North Carolina.
Description of Work
Turn data into actionable insights through an exciting GIS internship experience. As a GIS Intern, you will assist with mapping, spatial analysis, data management, and project support while learning how geographic information drives decision-making across a large public-sector organization. You'll gain exposure to industry-standard GIS tools, collaborate with professionals, and contribute to projects that support public safety and community services. If you're curious, analytical, and eager to learn, this internship can help launch your GIS career.This posting is for a part time GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Fall 2026 Intern located within the Emergency Management Division of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS). This internship is expected to start on August 24, 2026 and continue through October 23, 2026. The work schedule is part-time (up to 30 hours per week), Monday -Friday. The rate of pay is $15.00 per hour.
This project will give the intern a better understanding of how the N.C. Department of Public Safety, N.C. Emergency Management (NCEM) and state government utilize geographic information systems (GIS) to track spatial data for the locations of buildings and structures in NC.
North Carolina Emergency Management's (NCEM) original building footprint dataset was created in 2010 but almost a million buildings have been created, modified or removed since. NCEM now has a composite building footprint dataset with over five million records that we need to Quality control. The intern(s) will assist the GIS section with the collection, creation, deletion, and quality control of geospatial date, using ArcGIS Pro.
Specific duties will include:
• Reviewing aerial imagery and confirming the mapping of building footprints.
• Editing the NC Statewide Risk building footprint dataset is the main focus of this project.
• Utilizing orthophotography and reference data to create/edit/modify spatial building footprint polygons for new structures.
• Working with NCEM’s GIS section to improve building data analysis and attribution within the existing Risk database schema.
DPS has an IT application called the School Risk Management Plan, that contains floor plans for all public k-12 schools in NC. Part of this project will be to add new and modified schools to the system. If time allows, the interns will also work on one county worth of building footprints. Using ESRI's ArcGIS Pro (desktop) software, the intern will convert floor plans that are in PDF (file) format to a CAD dataset, then clean and georeference them. Additionally, the intern will use ArcGIS to edit and QC building footprint polygons.
A college transcript is required to determine eligibility. Please attach your unofficial college transcript(s).
Please Note: The selected intern will be required to provide a letter of recommendation from a professional reference or academic advisor/professor before being hired.
Interns will be hired through Temporary Solutions which operates as the State’s temporary employment agency. As a temporary position there are no leave or retirement benefits offered with this position. Visit www.nctemporarysolutions.com for employment information.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
DPS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.
The Minimum Education and Experience (E&E) is REQUIRED to qualify for this position. Management Preferences, including Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs), are not required but may be used to determine the pool of most qualified applicants. Managers may also choose to interview/select applicants who demonstrate Management Preferences.
All work history and education (including accurate dates of employment/attendance) must be documented on the application. Work experience may include internships, volunteerism, and full and part-time work. A complete, all-inclusive application maximizes an applicant’s potential to qualify for the position, as well as receive the highest possible salary if selected for the position. Salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations for the advertised position. Click here for more information and application resources.
Resumes may be attached as a supplement to the application but are not a substitute for a complete application.
Management Preferences
Must be currently enrolled in college or a recent college graduate. NOTE: "Recent" graduates are those who have graduated within the last 6 months.
Must be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree (or a recent graduate) with coursework in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Natural Resources, Geography, Urban Planning, Emergency Management, Information Technology, Environmental Science, Computer Science or related field OR demonstrated GIS knowledge/GIS experience.
A college transcript is required to determine eligibility. Please attach your unofficial college transcript(s). The transcript must include your name, courses/major, and the name of the college/university.
Note: Please make sure your application is complete before submitting because the system will not allow you to reapply. (Your college transcript must be attached.)
Note: Interns must submit to a background check and fingerprinting or consent to agency onboarding requirements.
The NC Dept. of Public Safety must adhere to the US Dept. of Justice Final Rule on the "National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape." PREA Hiring and Promotion Prohibitions Selected applicants for positions which are subject to PREA will undergo a PREA-specific background check. Our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated, or justice involved, and we invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified. Due to the nature of work performed in our agency, prior convictions and/or charges may prohibit employment for positions which are subject to PREA or other position-specific background checks.
Transcripts
Transcripts are required to determine eligibility for this internship. Please attach your unofficial transcript to assist in providing credit for education including in substituting education gained for experience. Additionally, qualifying for some positions may require validating hours of coursework in a specific field of study and transcripts are crucial to awarding credit. Degrees and transcripts must be achieved from an appropriately accredited college or university.
Applicants who earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program must attach an unofficial transcript to receive credit for education.
International degrees and transcripts must be evaluated for accreditation by a recognized evaluation service by the closing date of this posting. Failure to provide documentation may result in ineligibility. The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) has several options to provide credential verification: https://www.naces.org/members.
Military Experience
Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty that includes Character of Discharge - Member 4 or Service 2 form) to the application.
Applicants seeking National Guard Preference: A current member of the North Carolina National Guard in good standing must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS). A former member of the North Carolina National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application. Please log in to your Workday account to check the status of your application. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by the hiring manager. If you are no longer under consideration, you will receive an email notification when the position is filled.
For more information about the application process, please visit State Application Resources/Frequently Asked Questions. For technical issues related to your Workday applications, please place a support ticket. For basic information regarding employment with North Carolina State Government, please call (984) 236-0800. If there are any questions about this specific vacancy other than your application status, please contact Damien Neville (Internship Program Assistant) via phone 919-609-3237/email [email protected] or Laura Holloway (Employment Consultant) at 984-279-4432.
#INTERN
Minimum Education and Experience
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.
This internship is available for applicants currently pursuing a degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Natural Resources, Geography, Urban Planning, Emergency Management, Information Technology, Environmental Science, Computer Science OR related field (with demonstrated knowledge or experience with GIS).
We will also consider recent graduates (within the last 6 months) who have a degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Natural Resources, Geography, Urban Planning, Emergency Management, Information Technology, Environmental Science, Computer Science or related field (with demonstrated knowledge or experience with GIS).
EEO Statement
The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.
Recruiter:
Damien Deshawn NevilleRecruiter Email:
[email protected]Watch This Video for Tips on Applying in Workday:Skills Required
- Currently enrolled in college or a recent graduate (within last 6 months)
- Pursuing or holding a degree in GIS, Natural Resources, Geography, Urban Planning, Emergency Management, IT, Environmental Science, Computer Science, or related field OR demonstrated GIS knowledge/experience
- Provide unofficial college transcript(s) to determine eligibility
- Provide a letter of recommendation from a professional reference or academic advisor before hire
- Submit to background check and fingerprinting (and PREA-specific background check if applicable)
- Experience using ArcGIS Pro / ESRI desktop GIS software
- Ability to convert PDF floor plans to CAD, clean and georeference datasets, and perform spatial data quality control
What We Do
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is charged with implementing the state's public school laws for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.








