Infrastructure Planning Intern

The MBTA’s Infrastructure Planning team focuses on early design projects, master planning efforts, strategic capital initiatives, and process improvement projects for its Engineering and Capital division. Examples of recent projects include:

• MBTA Facility Master Plan: Identify MBTA facilities that require capital investment and prioritizing improvements.
• Bus Electrification: Develop plans and programs to support the MBTA’s battery-electric bus (BEB) goals, including operational rollout of BEBs, upgrade and construction of BEB garages, and short-term charging solutions.
• Nubian Square Redesign: Redesign busways at Nubian Square to improve safety, accessibility, flow, and travel times as well as accommodate future changes.
• Right of Way Planning: Develop tools to support the rail diversion planning process, including work zone development, interactive mapping tools, and project manager resource sites.
• MBTA Signal Master Plan: Communicate need and prioritize capital investments for rail signal asset class.

In past semesters, interns have developed dashboards for the Bridge and Tunnel Master Plan, made tools to help understand station access travel modes, researched maintenance facility standards in transit agencies across the US, and performed field visits to understand parking conditions at MBTA facilities.

We are looking to hire one (1) intern, whose studies focus on planning, data analytics, engineering, construction management, architecture, environmental science, or related fields. This intern will work directly with Project Managers on the Infrastructure Planning team. They will work onsite at least three (3) days per week (40 hours per week) from July through December. Preference will be given to those applicants who can work in-person five (5) days per week due to the nature of the work.

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 throughout greater Boston, with consultants and MBTA staff, following all health and safety protocols.
• Support project managers in design review.
• 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. 
• Provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experience.
• 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 Planning, Data Analytics, Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Environmental Science, Business, or related field.

Minimum Experience and Required Skills

• Ability to work in-person at least three (3) days per week in downtown Boston; preference given to applicants who can work in-person five (5) days per week due to the nature of the work.
• Above average ability to think critically about engineering and design, understanding how engineering decisions could affect riders and the agency.
• Above average ability to write technical information in a clear and accessible way.
• Above average ability to create presentations that communicate information clearly.
• Above average organizational, multi-tasking, time management, and interpersonal skills.
• Above average skillsets in the following (not all are required):
  • Data analytics / visualization tools, such as Microsoft Excel, Tableau, ArcGIS, etc.
  • Graphic design.
  • Engineering experience in transportation or civil engineering.
  • Design software, such as AutoCAD.
• Above average ability to communicate effectively in English, both in written and oral forms.
• Highly organized, motivated, and have great attention-to-detail.
• Strong interest in public service, transit, or transportation and how it operates.
• 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.