Operations Planning, Scheduling, and Strategy (OPSS) Intern

About the Department

The Operations Planning, Scheduling, and Strategy (OPSS) Intern will support teams within the Operations Planning, Scheduling, and Strategy (OPSS) department on a variety of critical projects aimed at designing and delivering safe, reliable, frequent, and accessible service. OPSS includes several teams: Service Planning and Scheduling, Alternative Service, Workforce Modernization Program, Lean Strategy, and Operations Analytics.

As an intern, you will get guidance and mentorship from department leadership. Working in OPSS will provide exposure to teams and individuals tasked with redefining how the MBTA provides service to our customers; support similar planning and design efforts that have won accolades from industry peers; and allow you to be part of a recognized, industry-leading team rebuilding the MBTA’s service.

We are seeking someone who wants to make our public transportation work better, enjoys helping people, and wants to learn the nuts and bolts of providing transit service. We are looking to hire one intern, who will work onsite (40 hours per week) for at least three months (December - February).

Position Duties

• Support the MBTA staff in the field to understand how service operates, including communication with planners, dispatchers, field inspectors, and bus/train operators. Document and communicate findings and feedback internally with the rest of the team.
• Conduct peer research on the industry’s best practices and innovations. Share your feedback with our team so we can improve our service, plans, and designs to enhance public transit services.
• Contribute to the preparation of presentations, memos, press releases, letters, maps, data, etc. that support ongoing planning efforts and communication.
• Coordinate meetings, including scheduling, agenda setting, and managing meetings.
• Support the Schedules team by communicating schedule changes to customers, including updating signage at stops or stations.
• Provide data analysis using tools such as Excel to create charts and visualizations to communicate internal transit data.
• Monitor, track, and flag other transportation projects implemented by municipalities or other agencies, or patterns that may directly or indirectly impact the provision of public transportation.
• Offer planning support to structure bus routes, stops, and schedules.
• Provide planning support for a diverse array of alternative service options during both planned and emergency subway and commuter rail closures.
• 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 Qualifications

• Enrolled, for entire duration of employment, in the undergraduate / Bachelor's degree program of an accredited college / university.
• Completed some coursework, on-the-job experience, or other experiences demonstrating an interest in public transportation.
• At least one year of professional experience in planning, operations, policy, engineering, or project management.
• At least one year of professional experience working with tools or data that support planning, such as GIS, database management, visualization software, graphic design, etc.
• Desire to help improve public transportation, because you believe in making people’s lives better.
• Ability to pass writing and/or spreadsheet assessment, demonstrating skills related to the position.
• Above average proficiency with standard office software (e.g. Microsoft office) or relevant technical tools.
• Above average ability to communicate effectively in English, both in written and oral forms.
• Highly organized, motivated, and have great attention-to-detail.
• Passion for public transportation, urban planning, engineering, public policy, or public service.
• 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.

Benefits

This position is not eligible for benefits through the MBTA. However, some positions might be eligible to incur paid sick time or to receive a complimentary pass for travel on the MBTA transit system. Please speak with the assigned recruiter or email hrstaffing@mbta.comfor more information.

Supplemental Questions

01

What is your current level of education?

• Not Currently Enrolled in School / Already Graduated
• High School / GED / VoTech
• Undergrad: 1st Year
• Undergrad: 2nd Year
• Undergrad: 3rd Year
• Undergrad: 4th Year
• Grad School: 1st Year
• Grad School: 2nd Year
• Grad School: 3rd Year (or higher)
• Postdoctoral Studies

02

What is your area of study?

• Accounting / Finance
• Agriculture
• Architecture
• Archives Management
• Biology
• Business / Business Admin
• Business Information Systems
• Chemistry
• Communications
• Computer Science
• Construction / Construction Management
• Data Analysis
• Database Administration
• Diversity Management / EEO
• Earth Science
• Ecology
• Economics
• Education
• Engineering (Aerospace)
• Engineering (Civil)
• Engineering (Electrical)
• Engineering (General)
• Engineering (Mechanical)
• Engineering (Structural)
• Entrepreneurship
• Environmental Services
• Ethics
• Facility Management
• General / Interdisciplinary Studies
• Graphic Arts / Design
• Human Resources / Human Capital
• Information Technology
• Insurance / Risk Management
• Law (Business / Corporate)
• Law (Juris Doctorate)
• Law (General)
• Library / Information Science
• Logistics / Supply Chain Management
• Maintenance
• Management
• Management Information Systems
• Marketing
• Medical / Health Services
• Network Administration
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Nursing
• Organizational Development
• Payroll / Benefits Administration
• Physics
• Planning and Development
• Political Science
• Production / Operations Management
• Project Management
• Public Policy & Administration
• Public Relations
• Purchasing
• Real Estate
• Robotics
• Safety
• Software / Programming
• Statistics / Actuarial Science
• Transportation
• Urban Planning
• Other
• No Major

03

Did you already start this education level (proof of enrollment / transcript is required)?

• Yes, I am actively taking classes.
• No, but I am enrolled and will start soon.
• No, but I plan to enroll soon.
• Not Currently Enrolled in School / Already Graduated

04

When is your expected graduation date?

• Already Graduated
• 2026 (September - December)
• 2027 (January - March)
• 2027 (April - May)
• 2027 (June - August)
• 2027 (September - December)
• 2028
• 2029
• 2030+

05

For how long can you commit to the position?

• Less than 3 Months
• 3 Months
• 6 Months
• 9 Months
• 12 Months / 1 Year
• More than 1 Year

06

What is your availability?

• Part-Time (up to 35 hours / week)
• Full-Time (35 to 40 hours / week)
• Any

07

Which work model can you work?

• Always Onsite / In-Office
• Fully Remote
• Hybrid
• Any

08

To ensure economic reinvestment, political accountability, and compliance with state legal and tax rules, all interns and co-ops must reside and conduct work in the Boston, MA metro area for the entire duration of their internship / co-op, including when working remotely. Do you agree to this and have the ability to independently commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area?

• Yes; I agree and am able to independently commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area.
• No; I do not agree or am not able to independently commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area.

09

Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

10

Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship to continue working in the United States (e.g. H-1B visa status)?

• Yes
• No
• CPT / OPT Currently (with MBTA listed as employer)
• CPT / OPT In-Process or Need to Apply (may affect start date)

11

To complete pre-employment requirements, candidates selected for hire must physically be in the United States for at least 30 days prior to their start date. Will you be in the U.S. for at least 30 days before the start date of this position?

• Yes, I will physically be in the U.S. for at least 30 days prior to the start date of this position.
• No, I will be traveling or otherwise not in the U.S. within the month prior to the start date of this position.

12

Please rate your current ability to communicate effectively in English, both in written and oral forms.

• No Experience
• Beginner / Basic
• Intermediate / Average
• Advanced / Above Average
• Expert / Excellent

13

Please rate your current proficiency in GIS.

• No Experience
• Beginner / Basic
• Intermediate / Average
• Advanced / Above Average
• Expert / Excellent

14

How many years of professional experience do you have working with tools or data that support planning, such as GIS, database management, visualization software, graphic design, etc.?

• Less than One
• 1 - 2
• 3 - 4
• 5+

15

Have you completed any coursework or have on-the-job experience or other experiences demonstrating an interest in public transportation?

• Yes
• No

16

How many years of professional experience do you have in planning, operations, policy, engineering, or project management?

• Less than One
• 1 - 2
• 3 - 4
• 5+

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Address

10 Park PlazaBoston, Massachusetts, 02116

Phone

(617) 222-3200

Website

https://www.mbta.com