Metro College Intern- (CTO) Chief Transportation Office

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) offers a summer internship designed to provide hands-on transit industry experience. The program allows extended opportunities beyond summer for up to a year based on performance and business needs.

Interns gain exposure to Bus/Rail Operations, Safety, IT, Planning, and general business functions, rotating to departments aligned with their major. A supervised, temporary assignment provides real-world learning and professional development.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED required; must be enrolled in a college/university pursuing a related degree.
• Must have completed freshman year and be entering sophomore year.
• Minimum cumulative GPA 2.8; internship extensions based on performance.

Responsibilities

• Assist in compiling, reviewing and analyzing data for reports.
• Support preparation of management, operations, and administrative reports.
• Produce tangible work products such as presentations, reports, and data visualizations.
• Participate in trainings and departmental meetings to gain exposure to transit functions.

Skills

PC skills

Excel

Data analysis

Report writing

Education

High school diploma or GED

Enrolled in college/university pursuing degree

Freshman year completed

GPA 2.8+

Tools

Microsoft Office Suites

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Marketing Statement

Join our dynamic team for a summer internship designed to give you hands‑on experience, professional development, and meaningful contributions from day one. What sets us apart? We offer the unique opportunity to extend your internship beyond the summer—for up to a full year—based on performance, interest, and business needs. This means more time to learn, grow, and make an impact.

Whether you're looking to explore your career path or build long‑term connections, this internship could be the first step toward something bigger.

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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

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

Not responsible for supervising others.

QUALIFICATIONS

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

ABOUT US

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), known as Metro, is the region’s leading public transportation provider. Serving a 2,054-square‑mile jurisdiction, Metro operates six rail lines, 98 stations, 126 bus routes, and Metro Access, a shared‑ride paratransit service. As one of the nation’s busiest transit systems, Metro connects communities, supports economic growth, and provides safe, reliable transportation.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment

• Personal interview

• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)

• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)

• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)

• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.