Metro College Intern (COS) Chief of Staff

Marketing Statement:

WMATA’s Office of the Chief of Staff is looking for two interns to join our team! This internship will be a unique opportunity to gain a firsthand understanding of how a major public agency operates at the intersection of strategy, policy, operations, communications, and public service. 

Interns will gain exposure to executive operations, Board and stakeholder engagement, strategic initiatives, and cross-functional collaboration across departments. The experience is designed for motivated students and emerging professionals who want to understand how complex organizations make decisions, translate priorities into action, and deliver essential services to millions of people.

Interns in WMATA’s Chief of Staff office will support meaningful projects, gain exposure to executive and Board-level work, collaborate with professionals across the organization, and develop real-world skills in research, communications, project management, and public service.

Job Description: 

This is an introductory, preparatory and training opportunity for college and graduate students designed to provide hands-on and practical transit industry work experience. Areas include but are not limited to: Bus and/or Rail Operations, Safety/Emergency Management, Engineering, Police, Information Technology, City/Urban Planning and General business functions. The assignments are on a temporary basis not to exceed thirteen (13) weeks of summer employment. Student interns may rotate to various departments based on their major in college/university and/or the respective departmental assignment. The student intern is supervised by an appropriate Executive or designee.

Principal Job Duties

• Duties will vary dependent on the assigned department. General duties may include activities in which the student intern:
• Compiles, reviews and analyzes data. Operates a personal computer to verify, input and correct data required for producing reports.
• Researches data for and assists in the preparation of management, operations, technical and administrative reports. Utilizes management memoranda, fiscal and operations reports and data to complete assignments.
• Produces tangible work product specific to the assigned department to include presentations, reports, correspondence, graphic representation of data and/or project plans.
• Reviews reports to identify problems based upon standard criteria and guidance from supervisors; recommends solutions as instructed.
• Participates in training sessions related to various functions performed by department to which assigned; attends appropriate Authority, departmental and office meetings, etc., in order to gain exposure to transit functions.
• Participates in and/or leads departmental meetings, working sessions, etc.

Other Duties

• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of personal computers and other standard office equipment.
• Knowledgeable of computer software, specifically spreadsheets, word processing and databases.

Skills

• Skilled with analyzing numerical data and to prepare reports.

Abilities

• Ability to research methodology.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Ability to establish and to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers
• and the public.

Machine, Tools, Equipment, Software, Hardware Required

• Personal computer
• Microsoft Office Suites
• Office equipment

Supervisory Responsibility

Minimum Education

• Graduation from high school or the possession of a high school equivalency certificate. Applicant must be attending an accredited college or university pursuing a degree in a discipline deemed appropriate for the position intern is seeking.
• The intern's major or area of concentration must be aligned with the academic and functional requirements of the position for which the intern's major or area of concentration must be aligned with the academic and functional requirements of the position for which the student had applied.
• Must have completed their freshman year and be entering their sophomore year of college.
• The intern must possess a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA.
• In cases where the internship is a progressive internship offering the consecutive summer opportunities through graduation, the intern must receive a favorable performance evaluation for the prior summer in order to be considered for each subsequent summer.

Minimum Experience

• N/A

Minimum Certification/Licensure

• N/A

Preferred Qualifications

• N/A