Capital Planning Co-op Fall

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About the Capital Planning Team

MassDOT’s Capital Planning team, part of the Office of Transportation Planning (OTP), develops MassDOT’s five‑year Capital Investment Plan (CIP). The CIP programs state, federal, and other funds to pay for long‑term improvements to the transportation system and includes all capital expenditures for the next five years across MassDOT’s divisions – Aeronautics, Highway, Rail & Transit, Registry of Motor Vehicles and Planning & Enterprise Services – as well as Commonwealth‑funded MBTA investments.

The team coordinates with federal agencies, the state legislature, municipalities, regional planning agencies (RPA), the MBTA, regional transit authorities (RTA), the Governor’s Office of Administration and Finance, other state agencies, and the public to carry forward priorities from Beyond Mobility, the statewide long‑range transportation plan, and other modal plans and policies. The team also works across OTP and throughout MassDOT to advance capital investments and support policy development.

Position Summary

The Co‑op reports to the Manager of Capital Planning and supports a wide range of projects related to capital investment decision‑making for MassDOT. Responsibilities include analyzing project and spending data for the CIP, supporting public engagement, and participating in internal and external coordination meetings. Successful applicants manage multiple concurrent projects, possess strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, are detail‑oriented, independent, proactive, organized, and can write and communicate effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the Manager of Capital Planning in developing and implementing the five‑year CIP in collaboration with the Capital Planning Team, MPO Activities group, divisions, and other stakeholders.
• Support development of new tools for managing, reporting, and visualizing capital investment data.
• Assist the public engagement process to gather input about the CIP.
• Collect and analyze data to support the CIP and related initiatives.
• Attend meetings with internal and external financial staff on project budgets, funding, and other financial issues.
• Participate in regional planning and project prioritization meetings, including evening sessions as needed.
• Help develop executive‑level and public‑facing presentations and other communications about the MassDOT capital program.
• Use data visualization, business intelligence, and/or GIS tools to collect, display, and analyze project data and inform decisions related to the capital program.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Experience with data visualization, business intelligence, and/or GIS tools.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, deadline‑oriented environment with multiple competing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team and independently in a hybrid environment.
• Solution‑oriented attitude, excellent time management and organizational skills; strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with graphic design a plus.
• Experience and interest in transit or transportation a plus.

Takeaways

By the end of the 6‑month co‑op, the student will have been exposed to many departments within MassDOT and the MBTA, as well as external organizations such as metropolitan planning organizations and state agencies. They will have gained experience managing multiple concurrent projects, developing support materials for statewide transportation planning, communicating with diverse stakeholders, and interacting with personnel at all levels of government.

They will have had the opportunity to contribute to and share the development of plans that affect the entirety of MassDOT and the MBTA.

Based on interests and skills, MassDOT staff will assist in matching the student with appropriate side projects and mentors.

About MassDOT

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