Alternative Service Planner Co-Op

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority • Boston, MA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Alternative Service Planner Co-Op supports the MBTA’s Alternative Service team, which plans service during planned rail closures and for private fixed-route services. The team analyzes, develops, recommends, and monitors service options intended to minimize customer journey times across internally and externally operated routes.

For planned rail closures, the co-op helps assess how rail diversions affect the network and plan alternative service options for customers. For private fixed routes, the co-op supports analysis and recommendations for future service adjustments on Routes 712 / 713, 714, and 716, with the goals of improving customer experience and journey times and identifying capital projects that could improve service. The position is onsite, 40 hours per week, for at least six months, from January through June.

Applicants must be actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or bachelor’s degree program throughout employment. Co-op staff must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and have valid work authorization and a U.S. Social Security Number before pre-employment screening and throughout the program. Interns and co-ops are eligible for accrued paid sick leave and a monthly transportation pass based on their commuting city; no additional co-op benefits are currently offered.

Requirements

• Be currently enrolled and maintain active status throughout employment in an accredited undergraduate or bachelor’s degree program.
• Have at least one year of experience in planning, operations, policy, engineering, or project management.
• Have completed coursework, on-the-job experience, or other experience demonstrating an interest in public transportation.
• Demonstrate a desire to improve public transportation and make people’s lives better.
• Have above-average proficiency with planning tools or data, such as GIS, database management, visualization software, or graphic design.
• Pass a writing and/or spreadsheet assessment demonstrating skills related to the position.
• Have above-average proficiency with standard office software, such as Microsoft Office, or relevant technical tools.
• Communicate effectively in English, both in writing and orally, and be able to read, comprehend, and respond to instructions and inquiries in English.
• Be highly organized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented.
• Demonstrate interest in public transportation, urban planning, engineering, public policy, or public service.
• Work effectively both independently and collaboratively in diverse, fast-paced environments.
• Be able to commute independently to assigned work locations within the Greater Boston metro area, as required.
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States; the MBTA does not provide visa sponsorship.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the duration of the co-op.
• Have valid work authorization and a U.S. Social Security Number before pre-employment screenings and throughout the program.
• Meet the stated age requirement of at least 18, except for participants in an approved high school internship or co-op program.
• Be able to provide courteous and professional service, uphold MBTA rules and policies, and work effectively as part of a diverse workforce.
• Pass applicable CORI, background, medical, and other screenings described in the posting.

Responsibilities

• Assist in assessing operational and customer impacts of planned closures from a service perspective.
• Provide planning support for developing service options for Private Fixed Routes.
• Review engineering plans, sets, and designs related to diversion alternative service.
• Prepare scheduled and ad-hoc reports, slideshows, graphics, maps, and other visual reports, with narrative and graphic data, for online and print formats.
• Conduct post-implementation reviews to assess service operations and identify improvements for future service.
• Conduct fieldwork to observe service operations and document ways to improve service delivery.
• Participate in team and staff meetings, organizational events, fieldwork, and project teams, and perform other assigned duties.
• Provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional service.
• Perform other assigned duties and projects.

Benefits

• Accrued paid sick leave.
• A monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the co-op commutes to work, at no cost. The posting states that no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern