Intern-Strategic Planning and Capital Programming

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency links communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

The Metra Internship Program provides an opportunity for college sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students to gain practical experience through on-the-job learning. Metra assigns students to projects related to their academic/educational field of study, which complements classroom instruction. The knowledge gained contributes to career development, while the experience provides insight on the wide variety of jobs in the transportation industry.

The Strategic Planning & Capital Programming department includes two groups: Program Development & Grant Pursuits and Planning & Strategy.

Program Development & Grant Pursuits is responsible for developing Metra's capital program and handling the preparation of all discretionary funding grant applications. The group applies active program management principles to amend project budgets, strategizes & writes grant application packages to seek additional capital funds supports regional capital projects, manages the primary asset registry, assists with updates and implementation of Metra's Transit Asset management (TAM Plan), and assists the creation of agency plans.

Planning & Strategy spearheads Metra's long-term planning, land use planning, and identifying opportunities to increase and/or improve ridership, such as developing, promoting, and coordinating Metra's transit-oriented development (TOD) policy. The group coordinates the development of Metra's five-year strategic plan and reports on its implementation. Identify new opportunities for expanding and enhancing the rail system and participate in studies led by other entities that will impact Metra.

The Intern will assist with supporting planning projects that may focus on specific stations & facilities, systemwide station accessibility, sustainability & resiliency, and TOD/parking/real estate. Duties may include assistance with writing discretionary grants, technical documents, research reports,and the management ofdatabases.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

The Intern must be currently enrolled as a sophomore, junior or senior in an undergraduate program or in a graduate program from an accredited institution. Preferred areas of study are Urban Planning,Urban Studies, Public Policy, Public Administration, Geography, or other related discipline, but are not required. Must have strong written and oral communication skills and be detailed oriented working with complex data. Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Esri ArcGIS Technology strongly preferred.

Must be 18 years or older; able to legally work in the United States; a student in good standing for each semester/quarter during their internship; and available to work between 12 and 20 hours per week for up to one year (optional: 40 hours per week during summer months).

Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Metra is unable to sponsor visas (e.g., H-1B or TN status) at this time.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees' use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to RAC@Metrarr.com.

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.