Contracted Bus Operations (OPSS) Intern (Undergraduate Students)

The Operations Planning, Scheduling, and Strategy (OPSS) department consists of several teams, including Service Planning and Scheduling, Alternative Service, Workforce Modernization Program, Lean Strategy, and Operations Analytics. The Contracted Bus Operations Intern will support OPSS teams on critical projects to design and deliver safe, reliable, frequent, and accessible service. Example work may include:

• Service Planning and Scheduling: Planning support to structure bus routes, stops, and schedules.
• Alternative Service: Planning support for a diverse array of alternative service options during both planned and emergency subway and commuter rail closures.

The most qualified (or ideal) candidates would be a “people-person,” who enjoys helping others and learning the “nuts and bolts” or providing transit service. They should be actively enrolled in an undergraduate / bachelor’s degree program, have at least one (1) year of experience in planning, operations, policy, engineering, or project management; and have at least one (1) year of experience working on tools or data that support planning, such GIS, database management, visualization software, graphic design, etc. We are looking to hire one (1) intern, who will work at least (3) days in-office (40 hours per week) for at least three (3) months.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities 

• Assist field staff understand how service operates, including communication with planners, dispatchers, field inspectors, and bus / train operators.
• Document and communicate findings and feedback internally to others in team.
• Conduct research on best practices and innovations, sharing findings to help improve service, plans, and designs that enhance public transit services.
• Assist in preparing presentations, memos, press releases, letters, maps, data, etc. that support ongoing planning efforts and communication.
• Coordinate meetings, including scheduling, agenda setting, and managing meetings.
• Assist in communicating information about schedule changes to customers, including updating signage at stops or stations.
• Conduct data analysis using tools such as Excel to create charts and visualizations that communicate transit data. 
• Help monitor, track, and flag other transportation projects implemented by municipalities or other agency patterns that may have direct or indirect impact on the provision of public transportation.
• 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. 
• 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 undergraduate / bachelor’s degree program of an accredited college / university in the Business, Engineering, Urban Planning, Information Technology, or related field.

Minimum Experience and Required Skills

• Above average interest in improving customer lives through enhanced public transportation.
• Coursework, on-the-job experience, or other experiences that demonstrate interest in public transportation as a career.
• At least one (1) year of experience planning, operations, policy, engineering, or project management.
• At least one (1) year of experience working on tools or data that support planning, such GIS, database management, visualization software, graphic design, etc.
• Above average ability to communicate effectively in English, both in written and oral forms.
• Highly organized, motivated, and have great attention-to-detail.
• 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.