The Organization
TransitCenter is a foundation that works to secure a more just and sustainable future with abundant public transportation options. We make grants, conduct research, and coordinate a national network of local advocates. We envision regions where public transportation is dramatically expanded, clean, and safe and gives all equitable access to opportunity, the ability to fully participate in democracy, and that mitigates climate change.
The Research and Policy team works to identify systemic policy and practice barriers to radically improving transit in the United States. It develops reports, datasets, and policy analyses to influence the transit policy and encourage improvements to the state of practice. It builds and maintains relationships with transit agencies and partners across the US to promote its work and to push for policy reforms. It works to support advocacy campaigns with technical assistance, inside-game strategy, and relationship-building with agencies.
More about TransitCenter’s work and staff can be found on our website, transitcenter.org
Position Overview
The Research and Policy (“R&P”) Intern will gain experience at the intersection of research, advocacy, public policy, and philanthropy, and work on projects with real-world impacts on equity and environmental sustainability. The R&P Intern will primarily support TransitCenter’s Research and Policy team. The R&P Intern will also support TransitCenter’s advocacy, agency practice, and communications teams as needed.
Eligibility: Any current undergraduate students interested in public policy, urban planning, transportation, and/or racial and social justice are eligible. Students enrolled in programs related to transportation planning, urban planning, public policy, public administration, and urban studies are the most likely fit, though we believe students of all backgrounds can make a contribution to our organization. TransitCenter will consider non-US citizens that have authorization to work in the US. We are unable to consider non-US citizens without sponsorship or work authorization.
Must-haves: Strong critical thinking, research, analytical, writing, and communications skills. Basic-intermediate skill level working in Microsoft Excel. A respectful, collaborative, and entrepreneurial approach to work. Knowledge or interest in public transportation and equity issues.
Nice-to-haves: Experience or interest in policy analysis. Experience or interest in qualitative research. Experience or interest in data analysis and visualization.
Duties: The R&P Intern will support full-time staff through research and data collection assignments on specific subjects, and tasks for other projects and activities at the organization.
Time commitment: Between 20-30 hours per week for three months. The schedule in the office will be mutually determined and depend on the R&P Intern’s school schedule. The R&P Internship is for Fall 2023, with the possibility for an extension of four additional months through Spring 2024, based on performance.
Compensation: Our Interns are compensated at $23 per hour.
Location: The R&P Intern can work remotely. Intern can be given a desk in our NYC office if they wish to attend in person.
Interested applicants can apply by clicking on this Google Form Application link (https://forms.gle/mnuKaNnnJP2Utq757) and submitting a resume, cover letter, and one writing sample (maximum of 3 pages in length). Please include “Internship Fall 2023” in the title of your documents.
The deadline to apply is August 25, 2023. Finalists will be asked to submit two references as part of the interview process.
TransitCenter is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, political orientation or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law.
Employment is on an “at-will” basis meaning both the employer and the employee can terminate the relationship at any time. In order to live our organization values specifically to have an equitable and inclusive workplace and because we believe in the power of complementary strength, people of color, people with low incomes, women, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.
How To Apply
Interested applicants can apply by clicking on this Google Form Application link (https://forms.gle/mnuKaNnnJP2Utq757) and submitting a resume, cover letter, and one writing sample (maximum of 3 pages in length). Please include “Internship Fall 2023” in the title of your documents.
The deadline to apply is August 25, 2023. Finalists will be asked to submit two references as part of the interview process.