Policy & Strategic Planning Intern (Graduate Students)

The Policy & Strategic Planning (PSP) Intern will be part of a team that develops new policy for the MBTA while also planning for the organization’s future needs. The team comprises five divisions: Transit Policy, Strategic Transit Planning, Fare Policy, Climate Policy and Planning, and Capital Program Planning.

The most qualified (or ideal) candidates would already have a bachelor’s degree and is currently enrolled in a Masters / graduate degree program in Urban Planning, at least one (1) year of experience in urban planning, and above average skills in GIS, Adobe Suite, and other data analysis tools. We are looking to hire two intern(s), who will work at least two days in-office (40 hours per week) for at least four months.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities 

• Conduct research and analysis to inform strategic planning and transit planning initiatives. 
• Develop reports and presentations for decision makers and the public related to planning initiatives. 
• Determine appropriate data inputs, clean and prepare data sets, and use data to create models that will support policy and operational decision making. 
• Assist staff to effectively communicate insights and questions raised as result of policy and data analysis to both internal and external stakeholders.
• 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 addendum or hiring manager for department or location specific functions. 
• 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 Education 

• Enrolled, for entire duration of employment, in the Masters / graduate degree program of an accredited college / university in Urban Planning or related fields.
  • Applicants must already possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.   

Minimum Experience and Required Skills

• Above average skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Adobe Suite, and other design and analysis tools. 
• At least one year of practical experience with urban planning, public policy, transportation, environmental planning, or data analysis. 
• Above average skills in research, data analysis, communications, and GIS. 
• Ability to work at least two days in-office (40 hours per week) for four months.
• Above average ability to communicate effectively in English, both in written and oral forms.
• Highly organized, motivated, and have great attention-to-detail.
• 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.