Northern Middlesex Council of Governm...

Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce; Lowell (MA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) seeks a Transportation Planning Intern in Lowell, MA to gain hands-on regional planning experience. You will assist with data collection, field audits, and the development of transportation studies and reports.

You will support Complete Streets, safety, transit, and corridor planning across nine communities, performing counts, analyzing data, and preparing visual summaries.

Qualifications

• Interest in transportation planning, including policies and programs such as Complete Streets, Vision Zero, transit, and roadway safety.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in collecting and recording data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Excel; Google Suite considered transferable.
• Ability to work independently in the field and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Assist with research and drafting sections of transportation studies, plans, and reports.
• Assist with public outreach and engagement, including surveys, pop-up events, public meetings, and outreach materials.
• Perform field audits of sidewalks, crosswalks, curb ramps, bus stops, and bicycle facilities, documenting conditions with photos and field data collection tools.
• Process, clean, and summarize field data and other transportation data, such as crash data, and prepares tables, charts, and short written summaries of findings.
• Conduct bicycle and pedestrian counts on trails, sidewalks, and roadways throughout the region, using manual counts and/or automated counters.
• Conduct parking utilization counts in downtowns, village centers, and other activity areas.
• For candidates with GIS experience, create maps and maintains transportation datasets in Esri ArcGIS Pro or QGIS.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Transportation planning

Data collection

Written and verbal communication

Microsoft Excel

GIS experience

Education

Undergraduate or graduate student status in planning/urban studies/geography

Tools

Esri ArcGIS Pro

QGIS

Job description

Category: Part-Time Intern (hourly, non-exempt)
Supervisor: The Transportation Planning Intern works under the general direction of the Executive Director and the Deputy Director, with day-to-day supervision by a Transportation Planner
Compensation Range: $20 to $29 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience
Hours: Up to 20 hours per week; time may include weekend events and evening fieldwork, outreach, or engagement

Why This Role Matters

As a Transportation Planning Intern at NMCOG, you will get hands‑on experience with regional transportation planning, from collecting data in the field to turning it into findings that shape real projects. Working alongside NMCOG’s transportation staff, you’ll support Complete Streets, safety, transit, and corridor planning in the region’s nine communities. You’ll gather counts and field data on people walking, biking, and parking, audit sidewalks, crosswalks, and bus stops, and help analyze and present what you find. This role is a good fit for someone who is curious about how streets work, enjoys being out in the community, and wants to see how data and planning shape everyday decisions in local government.

What You’ll Do

• Assist with research and drafting sections of transportation studies, plans, and reports
• Assist with public outreach and engagement, including surveys, pop-up events, public meetings, and outreach materials
• Perform field audits of sidewalks, crosswalks, curb ramps, bus stops, and bicycle facilities, documenting conditions with photos and field data collection tools
• Process, clean, and summarize field data and other transportation data, such as crash data, and prepares tables, charts, and short written summaries of findings
• Conduct bicycle and pedestrian counts on trails, sidewalks, and roadways throughout the region, using manual counts and/or automated counters
• Conduct parking utilization counts in downtowns, village centers, and other activity areas
• For candidates with GIS experience, create maps and maintains transportation datasets in Esri ArcGIS Pro or QGIS
• Perform other duties as assigned

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a motivated, adaptable learner who is curious, collaborative, and detail oriented.

Required Skills:

• Interest in transportation planning, including transportation planning policies and programs, such as bicycle and pedestrian planning, Vision Zero principles, Complete Streets, transit, and roadway safety
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in collecting and recording data
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, especially Microsoft Excel (Google Suite will be considered as a transferrable skillset)
• Ability to work independently in the field and as part of a team
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods, including standing and walking, in varying weather conditions
• Professionalism and courtesy when interacting with members of the public
• Experience with GIS (Esri ArcGIS Pro or QGIS) preferred but not required
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite a plus

Education and Experience:

The position is open to current undergraduate and graduate students, recent graduates, and others with an interest in transportation planning. Coursework or experience in planning, urban studies, geography, civil engineering, public policy, environmental studies, or a closely related field is preferred. The hourly rate depends on the candidate's level of education and experience.

Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment

• A valid driver's license and access to a personal vehicle are required for fieldwork
• NMCOG reimburses work-related mileage at the federal (IRS) rate

This is an in-office position. The position is open until filled and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the US. NMCOG participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States.

Additional Postings available from Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG)