2026 Transportation GIS Intern
WHO WE ARE
As a Transportation Geographic Information Systems (GIS) intern for the Planning and Finance department in the Metropolitan Transportation Services division, you will take your academic skills and apply them to real world transportation planning programs. You will gain experience in using GIS in the transportation planning field and be exposed to the work of planners and planning/policy questions that aim to help you share your future in a GIS career.
Internship Information:
- Length: Summer with a chance to extend up to 2 years
- Hours: Full-time during summer and Part-time during the school year
- Start Date: 05/26/2026
- Location: St. Paul
NOTE: This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement.
What does an internship with the Metropolitan Council entail?
Our internships are designed to provide students meaningful work, be an introduction to public service and a chance to discover the Metropolitan Council.
Who is the Metropolitan Council?
The Metropolitan Council is made up of several operating divisions that service the Twin Cities Metropolitan area in a number of ways.
- Metro Transit provides bus and light rail public transportation for the greater metropolitan area.
- Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) manages wastewater treatment plants and the regional wastewater collection system for the seven-county metropolitan region.
- Community Development is responsible for helping the Council shape its regional growth plan and Metro HRA provides affordable housing programs in the region.
- Metropolitan Transportation Services (MTS) is responsible for the transportation planning functions as the Twin Cities metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for transportation.
- Regional Administration provides support services (Finance, Payroll, HR, etc.) for the Council.
What you would do in this job
- Update map data for the 2026 Regional Solicitation grant process by adjusting and correcting cartographic data, standardizing attribute information and producing metadata.
- Update the Transportation Improvement Program Map by digitizing project locations based on written descriptions, working ArcPro and databases, publishing the data and updated metadata. Update the web map using ESRI Portal and Experience Builder.
- Work with the regional transportation model inputs and outputs. Update the input network, correcting attributes, reviewing the network spatially against aerial photos using ArcPro or Cube. Write scripts to analyze the model outputs in Rstudio or Python.
- Create maps and other visualizations from regional transportation datasets for ongoing studies. Maintain metadata for MTS curated datasets such as the Regional Transportation Bicycle Network, Bicycle Barriers, and Regional Bicycle Systems Inventory.
What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)
- Must be enrolled in a degree seeking program (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD.) OR be a recent graduate (within 12 months from posting date) from a degree program.
- Candidate's residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin during the internship.
- An UNOFFICIAL transcript is required to be attached to application.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with GIS analysis and geospatial mapping
DEGREE PROGRAM/AREA OF STUDY PREFERRED
- Geography, GIS, Planning, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related field.
What you can expect from us:
- We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
- We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.
More about why you should join us!
Additional information
Union: American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
What steps the recruitment process involves:
1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:
If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.
If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.
IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.
The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.
Employer
Metropolitan Council
Address
390 Robert St. N.
St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101
Website