Infrastructure Planning Intern (Undergrad Students)

The MBTA’s Infrastructure Planning team focuses on early design projects, master planning efforts, strategic capital initiatives, and process improvement projects for the Engineering and Capital Division. Some examples of recent projects are:

• MBTA Facility Master Plan - Identifying both revenue and non-revenue MBTA facilities that require capital investment and prioritizing improvements.
• Bus Electrification - Development of plans and programs to support the MBTA’s battery-electric bus goals, including supporting the procurement of vehicles, the upgrade and construction of bus garages to support BEBs, and short-term charging solutions.
• Nubian Square Redesign – Redesign of busways at Nubian Square to improve flow and travel times and accommodate future changes to the bus network.
• Right of Way Planning Support - Developing a suite of tools that can be used to support the diversion planning process at the MBTA, including the development of diversion work zones, an interactive mapping tool, and resource site for project managers.

In the past semester, interns have developed dashboards for the Bridge and Tunnel Master Plan, researched maintenance facility standards in transit agencies across the US, and conducted field visits to understand parking conditions at MBTA facilities.

This position is for undergraduate students only.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities 

• Support planning projects by cleaning and analyzing data, developing static data visualizations and maps, and developing interactive dashboards.
• Perform research on 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 on project needs and deliverables.
• Conduct occasional site visits, with consultants and MBTA staff to facilities in the Greater Boston area, following all health & safety protocols.
• Support project managers with design review.
• Participate in team / staff meetings, organization events, fieldwork, project teams, or other duties as needed.
• 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 an accredited college / university in the field of Planning, Data Analytics, Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Environmental Science, Business, or a related field.

Minimum Experience and Required Skills

• Ability to think critically about engineering and design, understanding how engineering decisions could affect riders and the agency
• Ability to write technical information in clear and accessible ways
• Ability to create presentations that communicate information clearly
• Knowledge of data analytics and / or visualization tools, such as Excel, Tableau, or ArcGIS
• Above average analytical, multitasking, organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in graphic design
• Engineering expertise in transportation or civil engineering
• Knowledge of design software such as AutoCAD
• Ability to work in-person at least three (3) days per week at 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116.
  • Ability to work in-person for the full work week is preferred, as this is likely to result in better experience given the nature of the work and the largely in-person work environment
• 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 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.