About the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Activities Team:

The MPO Activities team at MassDOT works closely together with the Commonwealth’s 10 MPOs, 3 Transportation Planning Organizations (TPOs) and 13 Regional Planning Agencies (RPAs) on their federally required planning activities, including, but not limited to: development of their perennial Unified Planning Work Programs (UPWPs); Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs); and Metropolitan Transportation Plans (MTPs). In addition, the MPO Activities team develops and implements planning policy on behalf of MassDOT; assists with the implementation the Commonwealth’s transportation and investment strategy through development of the rolling five-year Capital Investment Plan (CIP); as well as develops and oversees research planning activities and leads on various statewide planning efforts. These activities are developed in coordination with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) the state legislature; municipalities; RPAs; regional transit authorities (RTAs); other state agencies as well as all MassDOT Divisions (Aeronautics, Highway, Rail & Transit, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Office of Transportation Planning & Enterprise Services) and the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA).

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Manager of MPO Activities, the Co-Op will be responsible for supporting a wide variety of projects related to regional and statewide planning. These projects could include assisting with the development of various statewide plans and projects; providing support for research projects; and assisting the Director of Capital Planning and the Manager of MPO Activities with the development of the 5-year Capital Investment Plan (CIP) and State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Work products may include proposing planning policy for regional planning activities; coordinating and attending internal and external planning meetings; and analysis of capital investment strategies.

The responsibilities in this position are extremely varied, with many different topics and types of tasks depending on experience and interest. A successful applicant needs to be able to manage multiple projects with concurrent timelines and be very detail-oriented, independent, proactive, and organized. It is also critical to be able to write and communicate effectively.

Potential Job Responsibilities:

• Gain familiarity with the MPO process, deliverables, goals, and objectives.
• Gain familiarity with the CIP and STIP components and timeline; get a thorough understanding of the goals, metrics, and scope of the plans; and effectively communicate these to internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist with the development and implementation of statewide plans and projects.
• Assist with the monitoring of relevant federal transportation programs, funding activities, and projects and providing information to key parties.
• Assisting with the tracking of key capital planning tasks; developing, tracking, and communicating schedules effectively to MassDOT units; and tracking and communicating progress/status of various tasks and milestones.
• Supporting and monitoring transportation program planning activities.
• Actively participate in team strategy sessions, internal and external stakeholder meetings, organization events, and other duties as necessary.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Strong communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, deadline-oriented environment, with multiple competing priorities/projects.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a small and collaborative team environment.
• Solution-oriented attitude, with excellent time management and organizational skills; strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, especially Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with ArcGIS mapping software or other data visualization programs a plus.
• Experience in communications and/or graphic design a plus.
• Experience and interest in transit or transportation a plus.

Takeaways:

By the end of the co-op, the Co-Op will have been exposed to a broad variety of departments throughout the MBTA and MassDOT, as well as external organizations such as MPOs and community groups. They will have gained experience managing multiple concurrent projects, developing materials to support statewide transportation planning; CIP/STIP development; communication with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders; and interacting with personnel at many levels of government. They will have had the opportunity to contribute to and share the development of plans which affect the entirety of the MassDOT and the MBTA.

In addition, depending on the person’s interests and skills, MassDOT staff in the organization will assist in matching the student with appropriate side projects and mentors.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact the Human Resources Specialist Alaina Seitz at Alaina.seitz@dot.state.ma.us.