Railroad Operations Intern (Undergraduate Students)

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Railroad Operations (RROPS) Intern will support the Commuter Rail and Ferry department on a variety of critical projects, delivering safe and reliable service as well as procurement for the future operator of the commuter rail contract. The Commuter Rail and Ferry Department is made up of several teams, including the Chief Railroad Officer (Transportation, Mechanical, Engineering, and Construction Coordination), Rail Modernization, Capital Investment, Customer Communications, and Ferry.

The most qualified (or ideal) candidates would be enrolled in an undergraduate / bachelor’s degree program business / management, public policy, engineering, project management, or related field and have at least one year of experience in operations planning (such as GIS, database management, visualization software, and graphic design). We are looking to hire one (1) intern, who will work onsite (up to 40 hours per week) for at least three (3) months.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform administrative and office support activities, including creating, revising, and formatting presentations, reports, spreadsheets, and other documents.
• Update and maintain Excel spreadsheets, charts, and graphs.
• Assist with the design and preparation of PowerPoint presentations.
• Monitor, organize, and update online records and folder systems ensuring accurate, secure, and easily retrievable information.
• Support printing, copying, and document distribution.
• Collect weekly updates from senior leadership and prepare summaries / reports.
• Coordinate and prepare information, materials, and presentation decks for meetings and presentations, including support for senior managers.
• Attend meetings and record, transcribe, and summarize discussion topics for reports and memos.
• Proofread documents to ensure accuracy, consistency, and completeness prior to distribution.
• Schedule, plan, and assist with the coordination of meetings, events, and special projects.
• Track the status of ongoing projects and follow up as necessary to ensure timely completion.
• Keep management informed by reviewing and analyzing reports, summarizing information, and identifying trends to support efficient workflow and communication.
• Respond to inquiries from customers, vendors, and coworkers in a professional and courteous manner.
• Establish and maintain professional working relationships with peers, senior-level executive staff, and a diverse workforce.
• Follow departmental procedures while maintaining the security, integrity, and confidentiality of data and information.
• Evaluate workflows and assist with reallocating resources or redesigning processes to meet office and customer service needs.
• Conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines.
• 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.

• 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 Requirements & Qualifications

• Enrolled, for entire duration of employment, in the undergraduate / bachelor’s degree program of an accredited college / university in business / management, public policy, engineering, project management, or related field.
• At least one year of professional experience in planning, operations, policy, engineering, or project management.
• Completed coursework, on-the-job experience, or other experiences demonstrating an interest in public service, transit, or transportation (and how it operates).
• Desire to improve public transportation because you believe in making people’s lives better.
• At least one year of experience working with tools or data that support planning, including GIS, database management, visualization software, and graphic design.
• Ability to pass a writing and spreadsheet assessment.
• Above average ability to communicate effectively in English, both in written and oral forms.
• Highly organized, motivated, and have great attention-to-detail.
• 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.

Substitutions Include

• No substitutions.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions: