Senior Graphic Design, Editorial, & Communications Co-Op

Massachusetts-Bay-Transportation-Authority; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is seeking a Graphic Design, Editorial, & Communications Co-Op within the Office of Performance Management and Innovation (OPMI). You will design and maintain publications, enhance the MBTA’s web presence, and convey analytical findings through engaging visuals for diverse audiences.

Ideal candidates are enrolled in a graduate program, have strong writing and design skills, and are eager to learn data-driven storytelling.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in graduate or Master’s degree program preparing to study and work.
• Excellent writing skills and the ability to craft clear, compelling narratives.
• Strong visual design sensibilities and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain OPMI publications across formats.
• Create visual content (infographics, diagrams, posters) to convey findings.
• Collaborate with analysts to translate research into accessible materials.
• Manage and edit OPMI web content and postings.
• Contribute to writing/editing for OPMI web posts and reports.
• Provide courteous, professional experiences to internal/external customers.
• Assist with team meetings, events, and cross-department projects.

Skills

Excellent writing skills

Visual design

Strong communication

Highly organized

Education

Enrolled in graduate/Master’s degree program

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Web CMS

Job description

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 can also 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.

The Graphic Design, Editorial, & Communications Co-Op will be responsible for designing and maintaining publications and communications of OPMI across multiple formats. A primary priority of this position is to enhance OPMI’s web presence through microsites, the MBTA Data Blog and MassDOT Tracker. This position will also be responsible for conveying analytical findings to various audiences using compelling visualizations, appropriate for the target audience. This person needs to be self-driven, detail-oriented, independent, proactive, and organized. The Graphic Design, Editorial, & Communications Co-Op will work closely in collaboration with OPMI analysts and researchers to communicate findings of projects through reports, diagrams, charts, graphs, infographics, presentations, web postings, and / or posters as well as creating or editing narratives to accompany products.

OPMI is currently working as a “hybrid” office, including both remote and in-office work. The office is set up “hotel” style, where staff members have no assigned desks and reserve space when they expect to come in. Staff are expected to come into the office 2 to 3 days per week, with Tuesday and Thursday being the all-staff days for the team (everyone in-office). Office arrangements are subject to change based on public health guidance, and 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, Boston, MA 02116 (downtown) and is accessible via transit and to people with disabilities.

We are looking to hire one (1) co-op, who will work at least 2 - 3 days onsite (40 hours per week, 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday - Friday) for at least six months (January – June).

Note: technical skills can be taught. We are happy to hire co-ops with technical backgrounds, but we are primarily searching for people who are interested in the types of research questions we answer and willing to learn the requisite technical skills to answer those questions. Lack of knowledge in programming languages or other skills listed above should not deter applicants, provided they are willing to learn.

* The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and complexity of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Collaborate with others to create and maintain OPMI website.
• Gain familiarity with broad range of OPMI projects and programs to create communications and materials, compelling to diverse audiences, in accurate and meaningful ways.
• Creatively generate visual content (infographics, flowcharts, handouts, report layouts, etc.) for marketing, communications, and training.
• Identify, organize, and select information relevant to creating narratives that can be communicated in various media.
• Contribute to the writing and editing process for OPMI web posts.
• Manage web content.
• Proofread and edit documents and materials for others.
• Participate in team / staff meetings, organizational events, fieldwork, project teams, or other duties as assigned.
• Provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experience.
• Additional responsibilities may focus on one or more specific departments or locations (refer to department-specific addendums or hiring manager guidance).
• Perform all other duties and projects assigned.

* The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and complexity of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required.

• Enrolled, for entire duration of employment, in the graduate / Master’s degree program of an accredited college / university.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Above average sense of visual design.
• Strong interest or experience with data governance, familiarity with some open data platforms.
• Above average proficiency with standard office software (e.g. Microsoft office) or relevant technical tools.
• Above average ability to communicate effectively in English, both in written and oral forms.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and detail oriented.
• Demonstrated interest in public transportation, urban planning, engineering, public policy, or public service.
• Proven ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within diverse, fast-paced environments.
• Ability to commute independently to assigned work locations within the Greater Boston metro area, as required by the role.
• Authorized to work in the United States (international students in CPT, STEM, or OPT programs through a university are eligible to apply). The MBTA does not provide visa sponsorship, such as H1-B status.

* The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and complexity of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required.

• Above average proficiency with web design tools.
• Quantitative / analytical perspective, with ability to communicate technical findings to non-technical audiences.
• Above average experience with Adobe Creative Suite.