Infrastructure Planning Co-Op

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority•Boston, MA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The MBTA’s Infrastructure Planning team focuses on early design projects, master planning, strategic capital initiatives, and process improvement for the Engineering and Capital Division. Example initiatives include bus electrification, the Nubian Square busway redesign, right-of-way planning tools, and the MBTA Signal Master Plan. Previous co-op projects have included analyzing station access and ridership data, developing dashboards and architectural diagrams, preparing construction work-zone graphics, researching transit-agency maintenance facility standards, and conducting facility visits. The co-op works directly with Infrastructure Planning Project Managers and supports projects according to team needs and the co-op’s goals. The role is intended for undergraduate students in planning, data analytics, engineering, construction management, architecture, environmental science, or a related field. It is an onsite, 40-hour-per-week position lasting at least six months, from January through June. The posting seeks two co-ops and states that graduate students will not be considered. The position is based at 10 Park Plaza in Boston. Co-ops must be able to work in person at least three days per week; five days per week is preferred. Work may also include occasional site visits to facilities in the Greater Boston area. The MBTA’s mission is to provide safe, reliable, and accessible transportation, and its core values include safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility.

Requirements

Remain enrolled for the entire employment period in an undergraduate or bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university in planning, data analytics, engineering, construction management, architecture, environmental science, business, or a related field; graduate students will not be considered.
Be enrolled full-time or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 throughout the co-op.
Be able to work in person in downtown Boston at least three days per week; preference is given to applicants able to work in person five days per week.
Demonstrate above-average critical thinking about engineering and design, including how engineering decisions may affect riders and the agency.
Write technical information clearly and accessibly and create clear presentations.
Have above-average proficiency with standard office software, such as Microsoft Office, or relevant technical tools.
Communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing, and read, comprehend, and respond to English instructions and other communications.
Be highly organized, motivated, and attentive to detail.
Work effectively in diverse, collaborative, fast-paced environments and independently.
Have the ability to commute independently to assigned work locations in the Boston, Massachusetts metro area.
Be authorized to work in the United States; have valid work authorization and a U.S. Social Security Number before pre-employment screening and throughout the co-op. The MBTA does not provide visa sponsorship.
Be at least 18 years old, except when participating in an approved high-school internship or co-op program.
Provide courteous, professional service and uphold MBTA policies, rules, and regulations, including EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
Have a satisfactory work record for the two years immediately before the posting’s closing date, unless a current student or recent graduate.
Pass applicable CORI, background, medical, physical examination, and drug and alcohol screening requirements.

Nice To Haves

Above-average skills in data analytics or visualization tools such as Microsoft Excel, Tableau, or ArcGIS.
Graphic design skills.
Transportation or civil engineering experience.
Experience with design software such as AutoCAD.
Ability to work in person five days per week.

Responsibilities

Support planning projects by cleaning and analyzing data and developing static visualizations, maps, and interactive dashboards.
Research 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 about project needs and deliverables.
Attend occasional site visits with consultants and MBTA staff to Greater Boston area facilities, following health and safety protocols.
Support project managers with design review.
Attend virtual and phone meetings.
Participate in team and staff meetings, organization events, fieldwork, and project teams, and perform other duties as needed.
Provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional service.
Perform other assigned duties and projects.