Job Details
TransitMatters is looking for three interns this fall to support our Communications, Regional Rail, and Mobility Hub teams. For nearly a decade, our organization has taken a technical yet people-centric approach to improving public transit in and around Greater Boston. We offer new perspectives, unite transit advocates, and inform the public. We utilize a high level of critical analysis to advocate for plans and policies that promote convenient, effective, and equitable transportation for everyone. All three descriptions are below, so keep reading until the end!
1. Video and Graphic Design Communications Intern
What we're looking for: TransitMatters seeks a talented videographer/graphic designer to join our team for a semester to support our public transportation advocacy work across Greater Boston and Massachusetts.
What the Communications Intern will do: Working in a hybrid environment and reporting to the Communications Director, the Communications Intern will assist in producing short-form video content for Instagram and TikTok and designing informational flyers and social media graphics. Responsibilities will range from helping the Communications Director film and edit videos to identifying trending topics that TransitMatters can use to attract more followers, supporters, and donors. Prior technical knowledge of issues relevant to TransitMatters' work—including land use, mode shift, fare policy, and transportation planning—and fundraising experience is not required, but would be helpful!
Other responsibilities may include:
- Staffing events outside of traditional working hours
- Putting up informational flyers around the Greater Boston area
The ideal candidate will have a strong combination of many of the following qualifications:
A student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Video Production, Graphic Design, Communications, or another relevant major. Other majors will be considered if the applicant has relevant skills and interests! Recent graduates are also encouraged to apply.
- Solid understanding of basic design principles, such as negative space, type, and hierarchy.
- Basic video production and editing skills, with an understanding of video formats for TikTok and Reels, including aspect ratio, subtitling, and file delivery methods.
- Experience in creating motion graphics and animations
- Proficiency in Canva, Adobe After Effects, and Premiere Pro.
- Strong storytelling ability to synthesize complex subjects into easy-to-understand creative content to drive engagement and build TransitMatters' social presence.
- Ability to identify new trends in communications/media and propose ways for TransitMatters to leverage those trends.
- Comfortable with being on-camera.
- A confident self-starter, with great attention to detail, comfortable in a fast-paced work environment.
- An MBTA rider, someone who is engaged in local politics, or someone who is passionate about TransitMatters' mission!
2. Regional Rail Intern
What we’re looking for: TransitMatters is looking for an intern who is passionate about improving Commuter Rail frequency and reliability through infrastructure improvements to support the Regional Rail vision.
What the Regional Rail Intern will do: The intern will work with our Regional Rail Lead/ Program Assistant to produce technical reports about rail infrastructure, safety, accessibility, and more. They will provide research and proofreading support for TransitMatters’ reports, memos, op-eds, analyses, and communication materials to support Regional Rail advocacy. Strong candidates should have strong writing skills, as well as the ability to conduct basic research. The intern will research best practices in rail infrastructure, meet with peer organizations and key stakeholders, and produce quality reports outlining key Regional Rail initiatives to support TransitMatters’ overall advocacy goals.
Other responsibilities may include:
- Note taking
- Attending after-hour meetings
- Event planning and staffing
The ideal candidate will have a strong combination of many of the following qualifications:
- A student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Environmental Studies, Transportation Planning, or a related field
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present findings clearly to a technical and non-technical audience.
- A confident self-starter with great attention to detail, comfortable in a fast-paced work environment managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- An MBTA rider or someone passionate about TransitMatters’ mission
- An MBTA rider, or familiarity with the MBTA network and demonstrated passion for
- TransitMatters’ mission of transportation advocacy.
3. Mobility Hubs Intern
What we’re looking for: TransitMatters is seeking someone passionate about street and public space design to join our team for the summer to support our transit advocacy work and help design and install mobility hubs across Boston
What the Mobility Hubs Intern will do: Working in a hybrid environment and reporting to the Executive Director/Program Director, the Mobility Hubs Intern will attend weekly meetings with project partners, conduct site visits, assist in scheduling and coordinating with contractors, and help install mobility hubs across Boston. Responsibilities will range from: coordinating timelines, working with municipal employees and volunteers to support multiple site installations across the Boston area; assisting with outdoor site installations and conduction fieldwork as needed, including taking measurements, photographs, and documenting pre-existing mobility infrastructure; supporting logistical and administrative task for Pop-ups events and community engagement events, gathering feedback from residents during outreach to address general concerns and design improvements. Collaborating with project managers, engineers, planners and artists to develop and build site plans.
Other responsibilities may include:
- Note taking, staffing organization-wide events, attending occasional after-hours meetings.
- Preparing and designing of basemap using geospatial/map-making tools that follow Boston Transportation Department (BTD) standards, symbology and legends.
The ideal candidate will have a strong combination of many of the following qualifications:
- Currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Geography, or a related field.
- Experience with geospatial analysis tool like ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth GE, for mapping, data analysis, and/or site analysis.
- Proficiency with graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, AutoCAD for producing maps and graphics.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present findings clearly to a technical and non-technical audience.
- A confident self-starter with great attention to detail, comfortable in a fast-paced work environment managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- An MBTA rider or someone passionate about TransitMatters’ mission
- An MBTA rider, or familiarity with the MBTA network and demonstrated passion for
- TransitMatters’ mission of transportation advocacy.