DPAC Project Associate

The Design and Planning Assistance Center (DPAC) is looking for an undergraduate student who is passionate about community-engaged practice to join the DPAC team as a project associate in Spring 2027.

About Us

DPAC partners with communities throughout New Mexico and the Southwest to create a more just, vibrant, and resilient built environment. We work with grassroots organizations, non-profits, and municipal agencies to uplift their ability to envision the built environment around them and support their capacity for self-determination.

We make research studies, participatory initiatives, design proposals, and planning studies and take part in community governance and consensus-building processes. Please see our website.

Your Role

As a project associate, you will work with DPAC's director and student staff team to help increase our visibility and reach. This will involve archiving, organization, and presentation of the center’s work in online media, print media, and events. As a secondary focus, you will take part in partner-based projects, most likely on research, design, and organizational tasks.

We work as a collaborative team, sharing ideas about all aspects of DPAC, and hope you will take part. We are also committed to growing your skills and abilities. We offer opportunities to advance to a project manager after the first semester and regular pay increases each semester. Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or Community and Regional Planning are eligible to apply.

We have a strong preference for those with potential to work at DPAC for the next 3 semesters (i.e. not a graduating senior unless you are continuing directly onto graduate studies at UNM).