Senior Performance Management & Innovation Intern (Graduate 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. MBTAs 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.

The Office of Performance Management and Innovation (OPMI) develops and tracks performance metrics for MassDOT and the MBTA and implements strategic initiatives with a focus on data analysis to improve rider experience. Some examples of OPMIs work can be seen on the MBTAs Performance Dashboards Data Blog and Open Data Portal.

The Senior Performance Management & Innovation Intern will provide analytical support across the office but primarily within the Performance and Reporting team which produces a series of annual reports on MBTA and MassDOT to internal and external stakeholders. These reports include the MBTA Annual Service Delivery Report MassDOTs annual Tracker report to the Legislature and new reports to the Legislature about the MBTAs Fare Citation and Bus Lane Enforcement programs. This work typically involves identifying and refining performance measures writing and revising scripts to process data receiving or extracting data from stakeholders or a database and analyzing it using software such as Python or R. The Performance and Reporting team also uses these outputs to create charts graphs infographics and report text for publication to the legislature MBTA/MassDOT Boards and the public. Other tasks may involve creating interactive dashboards or slide decks to summarize findings.

Interns can also participate in trainings fieldwork tours conferences and other learning opportunities as available. By the end of their internship they will have gained experience managing multiple concurrent projects collaborating with multiple departments across the MBTA and MassDOT and working with many datasets to answer a variety of real-world questions.

The most qualified (or ideal) candidates would be enrolled in a Masters degree program in computer science data analytics math physics engineering public policy urban planning economics government or a related field. The ideal candidate would also strong talents with Python R and Microsoft Excel. We are looking to hire one (1) intern who will work at least 2 - 3 days in-office (40 hours per week) for at least six (6) months.

• Gain familiarity with the broad range of data sources used at OPMI to contribute to new and ongoing projects.
• Work with supervisors to deliver reporting projects in a timely manner.
• Write / Review / Run scripts and analyze datasets up to several million records to extract findings.
• Create graphs and slide decks to help communicate findings to a wide range of technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to various annual reports on MBTA and MassDOT programs.
• Perform QA/QC on new and existing datasets to validate data.
• Perform ad hoc analyses as needed to support operations across the MBTA and MassDOT.
• 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.

• Enrolled for entire duration of employment in the graduate / Masters degree program of an accredited college / university in computer science data analytics math physics engineering public policy urban planning economics government or a related field.
• Above average attention to detail.
• Beginner experience with SQL.
• Beginner experience with scripting tools such as Python.
• Beginner skills with analytical software such as R.
• Intermediate experience with Microsoft Excel.
• Intermediate experience working with large datasets.
• Average familiarity with QA/QC best practices.
• Above Average organizational skills.
• Above average ability to work effectively in a diverse collaborative environment and work independently as needed.
• Above average ability to communicate effectively in English both in written and oral forms.
• Highly organized motivated and have great attention-to-detail.
• 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.

• No substitutions.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Intermediate skills with analytical software such as R.
• Intermediate skills with scripting tools such as Python.
• Above Average interest in public transportation.
• 2-3 years of experience solving problems with a quantitative/analytical perspective with an ability to communicate technical findings to non-technical audiences.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read comprehend communicate and respond to instructions orders signs notices inquiries 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 diverseworkforce 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 Numberprior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding working in their positions and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

1. General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary general nature and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties tasks and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
2. Application Completion: It is each applicants responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
3. Application Deadlines:Applicants should apply as soon as possible as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
4. Work Environment: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. See job description for role-specific requirements.
5. Work Eligibility:All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However if you have unrestricted work authorization or are sponsored by a separate entity you are welcome to all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
6. Interviews:Candidates should ensure they arrive on time are prepared can remain for the duration and if remote are in a quiet place without distraction for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling on a one-time basis and due to something emergent you may be allowed to reschedule the addition Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However should you need to reschedule you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
7. Safety Sensitive Positions:Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
8. On-call or 24/7 Positions:Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
9. Essential / Emergency Staff:During declared states of emergency employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
10. ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process please contact the MBTAs ADA Unit at or .
11. Diversity Equity and Inclusion:The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms descriptions and definitions related to diversity equity inclusion veteran status and immediate family members that you may find on the application form please visit / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship orco-opat the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass based on the city from which the intern / co-opcommutes to workat no cost. However no additional benefits are currently offered for interns orco-ops.