Student Intern – Strategic Planning, Technical Writing & Performance Management

State of Nebraska; Central (LA); On-site; USD 11,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) invites motivated students to join as a Student Intern – Strategic Planning, Technical Writing & Performance Management. Based at the NDOT Central Complex in Lincoln, you’ll support writing, analytics, and coordination across teams.

You’ll draft briefings, assist in dashboarding with Excel and Power BI, track project milestones, and help transform data into clear, actionable insights for leadership while balancing academic commitments.

Qualifications

• Must be a three-fourths student in good standing majoring in a related field.
• Strong written communication and editing skills.
• Interest in data visualization and performance metrics.

Responsibilities

• Draft and edit technical reports, SOPs, and strategic planning documents.
• Coordinate project timelines, meeting minutes, and action items.
• Transform data into charts and dashboards using Excel and Power BI.

Skills

MS Office

Written communication

Organizational skills

Data visualization interest

Dashboard design

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Excel

Job description

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:
Transportation - Agency 27
Location:
NDOT Central Complex 1400 - Lincoln
Hiring Rate:
$1.000
Job Posting:
JR2026-00029415 Student Intern – Strategic Planning, Technical Writing & Performance Management (Open)

Job Description:
Are you passionate about clear communication, organized project management, and transforming data into meaningful insights? Are you excited about bringing strategic planning and operational excellence to transportation initiatives? If so, this student internship opportunity with the Nebraska Department of Transportation's Strategic Planning team is for you!

As an intern with the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), you will help facilitate the achievement of the Strategic Planning Division's goals through a balanced mix of technical writing, project management support, and performance management practices. This role has been specifically structured to draw on multiple academic disciplines, including Technical Writing, Business/Public Administration, and Business Analytics/Graphic Communication.

JOB DUTIES

1. Technical Writing & Strategic Communication

• Technical Documentation: Draft and edit technical reports, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and strategic planning documents.
• Executive & Stakeholder Memos: Prepare written briefs, executive summaries, and presentation materials for internal and external stakeholders.
• Content Review: Review division documentation for consistency, clarity, and compliance with department style guidelines.
• Research Summaries: Conduct literature reviews of transportation industry best practices and draft white papers and briefing materials.

2. Project Management & Process Coordination

• Project Tracking: Assist project managers in tracking Strategic Planning Division project timelines, action items, deliverables, and milestone progress.
• Meeting Facilitation: Coordinate meeting agendas, compile background packets, record detailed meeting minutes/action items, and follow up with task owners.
• Workflow Process Mapping: Document and map internal operational workflows to identify efficiency gains and support cross-divisional collaboration.
• Stakeholder Engagement Support: Maintain project documentation repositories, track stakeholder inquiries, and coordinate communication across division units.

3. Data Visualization & Performance Management Practices

• Data Visualization & Dashboarding: Transform quantitative and qualitative transportation data into charts, infographics, and visual dashboards using tools such as Excel and Power BI.
• Performance Tracking & Metrics: Support the Performance Management unit in collecting, updating, and monitoring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and target metrics across department programs.
• Business Intelligence Support: Assist in updating, testing, and troubleshooting business intelligence reporting tools and data communication portals.
• Decision Support Graphics: Translate complex data findings into accessible visual summaries to enhance executive leadership decision-making.
• Other Assigned Duties: Perform other strategic planning, administrative, and research duties as assigned.

Requirements / Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: Must be a three-fourths student in good standing majoring in a discipline or field related to the work to be assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Student in good standing majoring in English, Professional Communication, Business Administration, Project Management, Public Administration, Business Analytics, Transportation Studies, or a closely related discipline
• A student of junior class rank or higher.
• Strong written communication, document formatting, and technical editing skills.
• Interest or coursework in project management principles, organizational management, or public policy.
• Experience or interest in data visualization, KPI tracking, performance measurement, or business intelligence.
• Demonstrated track record of teamwork, organizational skills, and leadership.
• Familiarity with visual dashboard tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, or advanced Excel charting).

Other

• Applicants must be able to work at least 10 hours per week when school classes are in session.
• Temporary full-time employment (up to 40 hours/week) may be available during scheduled school breaks.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

• Core Software Proficiency: Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) is required.
• Communication Skills: Ability to write clearly, concisely, and effectively for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Organizational Skills: Ability to track tasks, meet deadlines, prioritize assignments, and support project workflows.
• Data Visualization & Analytics Interest: Knowledge or interest in data presentation, charting, dashboard design, or performance metrics.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.