Senior Performance Management & Innovation Intern (Graduate Students)

Vision and Mission

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.

About the Office of Performance Management and Innovation

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 OPMI's work can be seen on the MBTA's Performance Dashboards, Data Blog, and Open Data Portal.

Role

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, MassDOT's annual Tracker report to the Legislature, and new reports to the Legislature about the MBTA's Fare Citation and Bus Lane Enforcement programs.

Key Accountabilities

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.

Learning Outcomes

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.

Ideal Candidate

The most qualified (or ideal) candidates would be enrolled in a Master's 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.

Position Details

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.

Disclaimers and Definitions

• 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.

• 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.