Intern, Contracts Administration & Materials Management

Orange County Transportation Authority; Orange (CA); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is offering a College Intern position in CAMM to gain hands‑on experience in procurement and contract administration for capital projects and maintenance operations.

You will assist with solicitations, vendor research, documentation, and records management. The program is year‑round and paid, with a 20‑hour weekly schedule and a cap of 1,000 hours per year.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical, organizational, critical‑thinking, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with SharePoint/databases.

Responsibilities

• Support CAMM staff with procurement and contract administration activities for capital projects, maintenance operations, and other agency needs.
• Assist with competitive solicitations and small-dollar procurements, including gathering information, preparing documentation, and supporting procurement activities.
• Conduct vendor and contractor research, reference checks, and responsibility reviews.
• Assist with the preparation, assembly, processing, distribution, and maintenance of solicitation and contract documents.
• Support contract administration activities, including validating required submittals and maintaining accurate contract files and records.
• Draft memoranda, letters, correspondence, and other business documentation.
• Assist with public records requests, document research, filing, records retention, and archive or purge activities.
• Update databases, systems, and SharePoint records, including insurance certificates and preliminary notices.
• Compile and organize procurement, vendor, contract, and project information for reporting and department use.
• Provide administrative and project support while collaborating with CAMM staff and other OCTA departments.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

MS Office proficiency

Education

Undergraduate or graduate degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, or Supply Chain/Procurement

Tools

SharePoint

Databases

Document management systems

Job description

Job Description

College Intern – Contracts Administration and Materials Management (CAMM)

Join OCTA’s Contracts Administration & Materials Management (CAMM) team as a College Intern and gain hands‑on experience supporting public‑sector procurement and contract administration activities that help deliver capital projects and support OCTA’s day‑to‑day operations. In this role, you will assist with competitive solicitations, purchasing activities, vendor research, contract documentation, records management, and other procurement‑related functions. Depending on assignment, you may support procurement for major transportation projects or the goods and services needed to maintain and operate OCTA’s transit system, while gaining valuable exposure to the full public contracting process.

Under direct supervision, you will perform a variety of professional entry‑level duties related to your major field of study and the sponsoring department's current business operations. As a College Intern, you will be exposed to OCTA's career opportunities in the transportation industry. You will gain deeper awareness of transportation's many facets through your OCTA orientation, projects and teams, and internal networking.

OCTA's College Intern Program is a year‑round paid student/intern program. You will gain real-world work experience on meaningful projects under the guidance of experienced professionals. You will have opportunities to strengthen your problem‑solving, communication, and decision‑making skills while benefiting from mentorship, career development, and internal networking.

The pay range is $20.00 – $23.00 per hour, depending on education level. This position is not eligible for employee benefits. The work schedule will consist of approximately 20 hours per week, not to exceed 1,000 hours within a continuous 12-month period.

This posting will remain open until a candidate is selected.

What You’ll Do

• Support CAMM staff with procurement and contract administration activities for capital projects, maintenance operations, and other agency needs.
• Assist with competitive solicitations and small-dollar procurements, including gathering information, preparing documentation, and supporting procurement activities.
• Conduct vendor and contractor research, reference checks, and responsibility reviews.
• Assist with the preparation, assembly, processing, distribution, and maintenance of solicitation and contract documents.
• Support contract administration activities, including validating required submittals and maintaining accurate contract files and records.
• Draft memoranda, letters, correspondence, and other business documentation.
• Assist with public records requests, document research, filing, records retention, and archive or purge activities.
• Update databases, systems, and SharePoint records, including insurance certificates and preliminary notices.
• Compile and organize procurement, vendor, contract, and project information for reporting and department use.
• Provide administrative and project support while collaborating with CAMM staff and other OCTA departments.

What We’re Looking For

• Currently enrolled full-time college student (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior) at an accredited two‑ or four‑year college or university.
• Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Contract Management, or a related field.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Strong analytical, organizational, critical‑thinking, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiarity with SharePoint, databases, or document management systems is a plus.
• Interest in public procurement, contracts, supply chain, capital projects, maintenance operations, or government administration.
• Ability to research, compile, interpret, and accurately maintain information and records.
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to work effectively with vendors, contractors, internal staff, and external customers.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Professional, collaborative, and proactive approach with an interest in learning new processes and taking on increasing responsibility.

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Gain hands‑on experience with public procurement and contract administration supporting major transportation projects.
• Learn how competitive solicitations and contracts progress from procurement through execution and administration.
• Work alongside experienced contracting and project professionals supporting OCTA's capital program.
• Develop valuable skills in procurement, business writing, research, documentation, and contract administration.
• Gain exposure to the policies, processes, and regulations involved in delivering publicly funded transportation projects.
• Contribute to the behind-the-scenes work that helps keep Orange County moving.

Join a team where innovation, integrity, and strategic thinking are valued

OCTA is an equal employment opportunity employer that recruits, hires, and promotes qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other legally protected status.