Infrastructure Planning Co-Op

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The MBTA’s Infrastructure Planning team focuses on early design projects, master planning efforts, strategic capital initiatives, and process improvement projects for the Engineering and Capital Division at the MBTA. Some examples of recent projects are:

• Bus Electrification – Development of plans and programs to support the MBTA’s battery-electric bus (BEB) goals, including supporting the operational rollout of BEBs, the upgrade and construction of bus garages to support BEBs, and short-term charging solutions.
• Nubian Square Redesign – Redesign of busways at Nubian Square to improve safety, accessibility, flow, and travel times as well as accommodating future changes to the bus network.
• Right of Way Planning Support - Development of a suite of tools that can be used to support the rail diversion planning process, including the development of work zones, an interactive mapping tool, and resource site for project managers.
• MBTA Signal Master Plan – Communicating need and prioritizing capital investments for the rail signal asset class.

In past semesters, interns / co-ops have developed dashboards to help understand station access travel modes, processed ridership data for project planning, supported site planning with architectural diagrams, updated graphics to show possible work zones for construction, researched maintenance facility standards in transit agencies across the US, and done field visits to understand conditions at facilities.

The Infrastructure Planning team seeks a co-op whose studies focus on planning, data analytics, engineering, construction management, architecture, environmental science, or any related field. The co-op will work directly with the Project Managers on the Infrastructure Planning team. We are looking to hire two interns, who will work onsite (40 hours per week) for at least six months (January – June).

This position is for undergraduate students. Graduate students will not be considered.

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibilities may vary depending on existing projects and intern goals, but may include:

• Support planning projects by cleaning and analyzing data, developing static data visualizations and maps, and developing interactive dashboards.

• Perform research on transit agency operational and design practices to inform MBTA project approaches and standards.

• Develop presentations, reports, and memos.

• Assist with project coordination, including organizing meetings and communicating with consultants and other departments on project needs and deliverables.

• Attend occasional site visits, with consultants and MBTA staff to facilities in the Greater Boston area, following all health & safety protocols.

• Support project managers with design review.

• Attend virtual & phone meetings.

• Ability to work in person three days per week at 10 Park Plaza in Boston, but preference for more as the program is likely to result in better experience given the nature of the work and the largely in-person work environment.

• Participate in team / staff meetings, organization events, fieldwork, project teams, or other duties as needed.

• Additional responsibilities may include focusing on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendums or hiring manager for department or location specific functions.

• Provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experience.

• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

• The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and complexity of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Enrolled, for entire duration of employment, in the undergraduate / Bachelor’s degree program of an accredited college / university in Planning, Data Analytics, Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Environmental Science, Business, or a related field.

• Ability to work in-person at least three (3) days per week in downtown Boston; preference given to applicants who can work in-person five (5) days per week due to the nature of the work.

• Above average ability to think critically about engineering and design, understanding how engineering decisions could affect riders and the agency.

• Above average ability to write technical information in a clear and accessible way.

• Above average ability to create presentations that communicate information clearly.

• Above average skillsets in the following (not all are required):

  • Data analytics / visualization tools, such as Microsoft Excel, Tableau, ArcGIS, etc.
  • Graphic design.
  • Engineering experience in transportation or civil engineering.
  • Design software, such as AutoCAD.

• Above average proficiency with standard office software (e.g. Microsoft office) or relevant technical tools.

• Above average ability to communicate effectively in English, both in written and oral forms.

• Highly organized, motivated, and have great attention-to-detail.

• Passion for public transportation, urban planning, engineering, public policy, or public service.

• Above average ability to work effectively in diverse, collaborative, fast-paced environments as well as independently.

• Ability to independently commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.

• Authorized to work in the United States (international students in CPT, STEM, or OPT programs through a university are eligible to apply). The MBTA does not provide visa sponsorship, such as H1-B status.

• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and complexity of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.

• **Application Completion:**It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.

• **Application Deadlines:**Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.

• **Work Environment:**The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.

• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.

• **Interviews:**Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.

• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.

• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.

• **Essential / Emergency Staff:**During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.

• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or [email protected].

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.

• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.