What are the responsibilities and job description for the Administrative Research and Policy Co-op Fall 2026 position at Massachusetts Department of Transportation?
Position Summary
The Administrative Research and Policy Co Op will report to the Senior Director of Organizational Alignment and directly support the director and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for MassDOT. The Administrative Office oversees Fiscal, HR, IT, Property Services, and the Office of Real Estate and Economic Development at MassDOT and so, this Co Op would indirectly support the department heads and senior staff of those departments.
The Co Op will have the opportunity to help shape long-term strategy for the organization and how the administrative groups support MassDOT’s operating divisions (Highway, RMV, Aeronautics, and Rail & Transit). The Co Op will be exposed to a variety of work including policy research and development, trend research and analysis, executive level decision making and change management, and work in a hybrid, professional setting.
The Co Op will explore questions like, “What does AI readiness look like at MassDOT?,” “What skills do we need to hire or develop in the next 20 years?,” “How can we more proactively manage MassDOT properties and assets?,” “Are there opportunities to fund our initiatives in new ways?,” or “How can departments collaborate more effectively?” The Co Op’s day-to-day will be varied, and include exposure to policy development, collaboration across departments and levels of the organization, supporting decision making through research and analysis, and creating compelling presentations to support change initiatives, among others.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Research current standards and trends across disciplines pertaining to transportation (particularly administrative disciplines).
- Provide literature reviews and reputable sources to support research summaries
- Interpret and summarize research for a variety of internal audiences, including executives
- Collect and analyze data through surveys, focus groups, or observation
- Analyze and interpret system data (for example, data from our HR or fiscal systems)
- Review and edit policy and procedural documents
- Contribute to policy discussions and help draft presentations
- Attend and document meetings
Preferred Qualifications
- Enrollment, recent graduation, or experience in one or more of the following bachelor's programs: political science, business administration, data analysis, transportation, finance, technology, human resources, real estate, public administration.
- Strong reading, writing, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to summarize and share information in an effective way.
- Experience with different types of research methods.
- Strong critical thinking skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively.
- Basic analytical skills.
Minimum Entrance Requirements
This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Current MassDOT employees should use their internal MassCareers account to apply.
All job applications must be submitted online through MassCareers to be considered.
Please provide a complete, accurate and current resume / application for MassDOT to review in order to determine if your submitted materials meet the minimum entrance requirements for the position.
- For questions regarding the job posting, please email the MassDOT Talent Acquisition Team at talentacquisition@dot.state.ma.us.
- For general questions regarding MassDOT, call the Human Resources Service Center at 857-368-4722.
- For a disability‐related reasonable accommodation or alternative application method, call ADA Coordinator, Lucy Bayard, at 857-274-1935.
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.
Salary : $41,600 - $52,000