Senior Ridership Analytics Co-Op

The Office of Performance Management and Innovation (OPMI) develops and tracks performance metrics for MassDOT and the MBTA and implements strategic initiatives with a focus on data analysis to improve rider experience. Some examples of OPMI's work can be seen on the MBTA Performance Dashboards, the Data Blog, and the MBTA's Open Data Portal.

OPMI also operates as the MBTA/MassDOT's internal research lab. We answer research questions developed both internally and externally to help us better understand how people interact with the transportation network. Some examples of OPMI's research work include this neighborhood-level ridership analysis and this survey analysis of frequent riders' transit use. We are an office devoted to problem-solving and creative thinking, and there are many opportunities for co-ops to participate in this exciting work.

Co-ops will also have the opportunity to participate in training, fieldwork, tours, conferences, and other learning opportunities as available. By the end of their co-op, they will have gained experience managing multiple concurrent projects, collaborating with multiple departments across the MBTA and MassDOT, and working with many datasets to answer a variety of real-world questions.

This is a full-time, six-month position. Co-ops are expected to work 40 hours/week from 9:00AM - 5:00PM. OPMI is a hybrid office
, meaning co-ops will need to work in-office on Tuesdays and Thursdays but can work remotely on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

OPMI is currently working as a "hybrid" office, including both remote and in-office work, and is expecting to continue to do so in the January 2027 co-op cycle. The office is set up "hotel" style, where staff members have no assigned desks, and book space when they expect to come in. Staff are expected to come into the office twice a week- on all-staff Tuesdays and on another day to be chosen in consultation with their manager and can choose to work in the office or remotely for the other days.

Office arrangements are subject to change based on public health guidance, and some reasonable accommodations can be made. OPMI will provide a laptop that can be taken home for work. Our office is located at 10 Park Plaza in downtown Boston and is accessible via transit and to people with disabilities.

The Ridership Analytics Co-op will provide analytical support across the office but primarily within the ridership team, which analyzes and reports on ridership to internal and external stakeholders. These analyses typically involve extracting data from a SQL database and analyzing it using software such as Python or R to either answer a research question or provide data to a stakeholder who has requested it.

Related tasks may involve creating interactive dashboards or slide decks to summarize findings. A successful candidate will be detail-oriented and have a curiosity for data of all types and how it can be used to support decision-making.

• Gain familiarity with the broad range of data sources used at OPMI to contribute to new and ongoing projects.
• Work with supervisors to respond to data requests in a timely manner.
• Analyze datasets up to several million records to extract findings.
• Create dashboards, charts, and slide decks to help communicate findings to a wide range of technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to regular ridership reporting processes such as monthly ridership and fluctuations.
• Perform QA/QC on new and existing datasets to validate data.
• Perform ad hoc analyses as needed to support operations across the MBTA and MassDOT.
• Participate in team / staff meetings, organizational events, fieldwork, project teams, or other duties as assigned.
• Provid…