Intern-Grant Development

The Metra Internship Program provides an opportunity for college sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students to gain practical experience through on-the-job learning. Metra assigns students to projects related to their academic/educational field of study, which complements classroom instruction. The knowledge gained contributes to career development, while the experience provides insight on the wide variety of jobs in the transportation industry.

Grant Management is divided into four sections: Development, Administration, Reimbursement and Accounting. Grant Development coordinates program-level information for each project and submits applications for capital, operating and demonstration grants to appropriate funding agencies. Grant Administration tracks approved grant contracts, provides financial oversight and reports project progress to the funding agencies. Grant Reimbursement requests reimbursements from funding agencies for capital expenditures, closes out capital project grants and provides information for audits and funding agency reviews. 

This internship position will provide exposure to federal, state, and local government grant funding programs for transit capital projects. The position will introduce regulations imposed by government funding programs and compliance methods used by a grantee.

Under the direction of the Manager, Grant Development, the intern will:

• Read and interpret grant agreements
• Assist in developing information about grant-funded capital projects
• Review capital projects for progress or completion
• Analyze information about project compliance

The length of the program is up to one year with three (3) mandatory one-week break periods during the school year: May, September and December

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

Job Requirements:

The Intern must be currently enrolled as a sophomore, junior, or senior in an undergraduate program or in a graduate program from an accredited institution. Students majoring in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Business Administration, Political Science or a related field. Other preferred qualifications include: advanced computer literacy with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access. Must be detailed oriented, with strong administrative, verbal and written communication skills.

Must be 18 years or older; able to legally work in the United States; a student in good standing for each semester/quarter during their internship; and available to work between 12 and 20 hours per week for up to one year (optional: 40 hours per week during summer months).

Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States. Metra does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B or TN status) for this employment position.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees’ use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for pre-employment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.