Operations Planning, Scheduling, and Strategy (OPSS) Intern

About the Department

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.
• 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.
• 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 [email protected] for more information.

Supplemental Questions