Capital Planning Co-op Fall 2026

About the Capital Planning Team

MassDOT’s Capital Planning team, which is part of the Office of Transportation Planning (OTP), is responsible for developing MassDOT’s five-year Capital Investment Plan (CIP), which programs state, federal, and other funds to pay for long-term improvements to the transportation system. It includes all capital expenditures planned for the next five years for MassDOT’s Divisions – Aeronautics, Highway, Rail and Transit, Registry of Motor Vehicles and Planning & Enterprise Services, as well as Commonwealth-funded investments for the MBTA. The CIP reflects MassDOT’s coordination with the federal government, the state legislature, municipalities, regional planning agencies (RPA), the MBTA, regional transit authorities (RTA), the Commonwealth’s Executive Office for Administration and Finance, other state agencies, and the public. It carries forward the priorities and recommendations of Beyond Mobility, the statewide long-range transportation plan, as well as other modal plans and key transportation policies. In addition to developing the CIP, the Capital Planning team works with other teams in OTP and throughout MassDOT to advance transportation capital investments and support policy development.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager of Capital Planning, the Co-Op will be responsible for supporting a wide variety of projects related to capital investment decision-making for MassDOT. These will include analyzing and managing project and spending data related to the development of the upcoming CIP, supporting the public engagement process for the CIP, and participating internal and external coordination meetings.

The responsibilities in this position are varied, with many different topics and types of tasks depending on experience and interest. A successful applicant needs to be able to manage multiple projects with concurrent timelines; to have strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills; and to be very detail-oriented, independent, proactive, and organized. It is also critical to be able to write and communicate effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the Manager of Capital Planning in development and implementation of the MassDOT's five-year Capital Investment Plan (CIP), working closely with the Capital Planning Team, MPO Activities group, Divisions, and other internal and external stakeholders.

• Support development of new tools for managing, reporting, and visualizing capital investment data.

• Support public engagement activities to gather input about the CIP.

• Complete data collection and analysis work in support of the development of the CIP and related initiatives.

• Participate in meetings with both internal and external financial staff regarding all aspects of project budgets, funding, and other financial issues.

• Attend capital planning meetings related to regional planning and project prioritization, and other meetings as necessary. Some of these meetings will occur during the evening hours.

• Support development of executive-level and public-facing presentations and other communications content about the MassDOT capital program.

• Utilize data visualization, business intelligence, and/or geospatial intelligence systems (GIS) tools to collect and display project data, conduct analysis, and inform decision making related to the capital program.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Experience with data visualization, business intelligence, and/or geospatial information system (GIS) tools and software programs.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, deadline-oriented environment, with multiple competing priorities/projects.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in collaborative team and independently in a hybrid work environment.
• Solution-oriented attitude, with excellent time management and organizational skills; strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint.
• Experience with graphic design a plus.
• Experience and interest in transit or transportation a plus.

Takeaways

By the end of the 6-month co-op, the Co-Op will have been exposed to a broad variety of departments throughout the MassDOT and the MBTA, as well as external organizations such as metropolitan planning organizations and other state agencies. They will have gained experience managing multiple concurrent projects, developing materials to support statewide transportation planning; communication with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders; and interacting with personnel at many levels of government. They will have had the opportunity to contribute to and share the development of plans which affect the entirety of MassDOT and the MBTA.

In addition, depending on the person’s interests and skills, MassDOT staff in the organization will assist in matching the student with appropriate side projects and mentors.

About MassDOT

The 4,000+ employees of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) takes great pride in connecting the Commonwealth’s residents and communities. MassDOT is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating transportation policies and projects for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to efficiently plan, design, construct, and maintain a safe statewide transportation system which effectively meets the transportation needs of the Commonwealth. Information about MassDOT’s culture and career opportunities can be found at mass.gov/massdot-careers.

MassDOT’s divisions include: Highway, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Aeronautics, and Rail & Transit. Headquarters (Planning & Enterprise Services) provides business and administrative support and policy leadership for each of the four (4) divisions.

Qualifications

Minimum Entrance Requirements

This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Current MassDOT employees should use their internal MassCareers account to apply.

All job applications must be submitted online through MassCareers to be considered.

Please provide a complete, accurate and current resume / application for MassDOT to review in order to determine if your submitted materials meet the minimum entrance requirements for the position.

• For questions regarding the job posting, please email the MassDOT Talent Acquisition Team at [email protected].
• For general questions regarding MassDOT, call the Human Resources Service Center at 857-368-4722.
• For a disability‐related reasonable accommodation or alternative application method, call call ADA Coordinator, Lucy Bayard, at 857-274-1935.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title : Contracted Student Interns

Primary Location : United States-Massachusetts-10 Park Plaza

Job : Planning

Agency : Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Schedule : Full-time

Shift : Day

Job Posting : Mar 17, 2026, 10:10:33 AM

Number of Openings : 1

Salary : 20.00 - 25.00 Hourly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Derrick Mann - 8573688541

Bargaining Unit : Non

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : Yes