What are the responsibilities and job description for the Transit Planning Coordinator Co-op Fall 2025 position at Massachusetts Department of Transportation?
About the Transit Planning Team
The Transit Planning group undertakes a range of planning activities in support of the MBTA and MassDOT’s Rail and Transit Division. This work includes long-range systemwide investment plans, community- or corridor-specific planning studies, and the early planning and conceptual design for major capital investment projects, among other planning and policy assignments at the direction of the Secretary of Transportation, the MBTA General Manager and the MassDOT Board. The position requires the ability to work effectively in a team as well as represent the group professionally with internal stakeholders across a range of MBTA and MassDOT departments. The Transit Planning Group’s portfolio of projects is extensive and constantly evolving.
At the time of this posting, the group’s primary focus is on:
- MBTA Program for Mass Transportation (PMT): The PMT is the MBTA’s long-range capital planning document; it defines a 25-year vision for public transportation in eastern Massachusetts. The previous PMT was published in 2019, Focus40.
- Water Transportation Study: a project to study, design, and operate a regional network of ferry services to, from and between communities along the Massachusetts coast.
Position Summary
The Co-Op will work under the supervision of a member of the transit planning team and may work on the below projects:
- The update of a visual database of transit services across the Commonwealth, inclusive of both public and private transit services. This project will involve identifying and collating the coverage areas, routing, scheduling, and capacity of public and private buses, shuttles, and pooling services to identify gaps, overlapping service coverage, and opportunities for improved connections. The Co-Op may have the opportunity to summarize and present the findings from this report to MassDOT staff.
- A synthesis of regional transit plans, as produced by Massachusetts Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs). The Co-Op will summarize short- and long-range planning efforts of these agencies, identify areas of shared strengths and challenges, and highlight opportunities for cross-agency collaboration.
- Assistance with preparing for, staffing, and documenting public stakeholder meetings, both online and in-person. In some cases, the Co-Op would be expected to travel to meeting locations, which will always be transit accessible.
There may also be opportunities to work on a range of other related transportation planning related topics.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist with the development and implementation of statewide studies and projects, including reviewing deliverables, developing presentations and memos, note taking and developing meeting summaries, and logging invoices.
- Conduct research assignments to support the team’s work.
- Actively participate in team strategy sessions, internal and external stakeholder meetings, organization events, and other duties as necessary.
- Develop geospatial analysis, data visualization, and transportation analysis skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work in a fast paced, deadline-oriented environment, with multiple competing priorities/projects.
- Ability to work effectively in a small and collaborative team environment.
- Solution-oriented attitude with a strong attention to detail.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, especially Microsoft Excel.
- Experience with ArcGIS software, QGIS, or other GIS software programs.
- Experience in communications and/or graphic design a plus.
- Experience and interest in transit, transportation and/or land use planning a plus.
- The successful candidate will be familiar with transportation planning concepts, be able to manage their time effectively and juggle multiple tasks at one time, work collaboratively with others, and communicate clearly and effectively, both written and orally.
- The ability to think critically and the possession of a strong passion for transportation and the planning field are important attributes for the successful candidate. A successful candidate for this position will be flexible and open to new challenges.
About MassDOT
The 4,000 employees of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) takes great pride in connecting the Commonwealth’s residents and communities. MassDOT is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating transportation policies and projects for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to efficiently plan, design, construct, and maintain a safe statewide transportation system which effectively meets the transportation needs of the Commonwealth. Information about MassDOT’s culture and career opportunities can be found at mass.gov/massdot-careers.
MassDOT’s divisions include Highway, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Aeronautics, and Rail & Transit. Headquarters (Planning & Enterprise Services) provides business and administrative support and policy leadership for each of the four (4) divisions.
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 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.
