Operations Technology Analyst (Bus Tech) - TID (Contractor Position)

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The MBTA is looking for an Operations Technology (Ops Tech) Analyst to join the Bus Technology team and help deliver our Bus Network Redesign to the Boston region. You will configure and manage the technology systems that power our bus service. This role sits at the intersection of technology and operations, bridging the work of the Technology Innovation Department (TID) and Operations, Planning, Scheduling, and Strategy (OPSS) to ensure our schedule and service data—such as bus stop locations, announcements, and destination sign messages—are accurate and up to date.

You’ll play a key role in maintaining and improving our transit technology by owning data analysis, documentation, mapping configurations, and system monitoring. This is a critical role as your work will directly support major MBTA initiatives like the Bus Network Redesign program and the automated bus stop/lane enforcement program, helping us ensure that clean, accurate data enhances the rider experience and enables effective management of these efforts.

In this role, you'll work closely with TID’s Bus Tech team, while also collaborating across teams such as Plans and Schedules and Transit Priority. We’re looking for someone who is detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable working independently.If you have experience in GIS/mapping, transit planning, scheduling, or program management, or if you’re a tech-savvy professional eager to move into transit, this could be the perfect fit.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Own the process of deploying bus schedules data, announcements, configuration updates, and other information to dispatch systems using vendor configuration tools, ensuring timeliness and attention to detail.Responsible for importing, preparing, and exporting schedule and related data to the CADAVL system.
• Collaborate with various teams within the OPSS department to maintain list of bus stop, announcements, and destination change requests, and prioritize accordingly.
• Support the Sr. Sys Admin and Manager of Dispatch Tools in investigating reported scheduling, announcement, and head sign related issues, which will become increasingly important during Bus Network Redesign.
• Develop an understanding of bus operations and transit data at the MBTA, and act as a resource for other team members.
• Support MBTA bus operations staff such as dispatchers, field inspectors, and bus operators who rely on TID tools. Help other TID and MBTA teams understand and use our technology.
• Improve team processes alongside the Manager of Dispatch Tools and the Sr. SysAdmin.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Technical familiarity: While you won’t be writing much code, you should be familiar with hardware and/or software configuration, IT practices, and be somewhat comfortable with command-line tools, Splunk, and Tableau.
• Approximately 1 or more years of experience in system administration, technology, transportation operations, scheduling/planning, customer service, or a related industry.
• Effective organizational, analytical, multi-tasking, time management and documentation skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and the ability to translate both for different audiences
• Attention to detail: Our riders and frontline staff expect and deserve a reliable system with as little downtime as possible, as well as accurate information about service. This position requires empathy for our users and attention to the small details that may end up mattering quite a lot for an individual’s experience using our technology.

Work experience guidelines (Preferred Experience)

• Familiarity with the MBTA transit system as a rider
• Experience working in the transportation industry, the public sector, or with dispatch technologies.
• Experience or knowledge of HASTUS andTransitMaster/OnRoute software preferred

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• This is primarily a hybrid role with the expectation of working in the office at least two days a week. Occasionally, we may ask you to visit the field: MBTA buses, garages, stations.
• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervision

• On a daily basis you will report to the Deputy Director of Bus Technology in the Technology Innovation Department.

Work experience guidelines (MinimumEducation)

Formal education in system administration, computer science, transportation planning, engineering, or a related field (This could be a college degree, a bootcamp, a certificate program, or something else entirely).

Substitutions Include

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.

• An associate degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.

• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.

• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Job Conditions

• Adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the MBTA including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.

• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, background screening, and the MBTA’s medical requirements, including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screening.

• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting, including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).

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 of staff assigned to this position.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.

• Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.

• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.

• Work Environment: 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. See job description for role-specific requirements.

• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.

• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.

• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.

• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.

• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.

• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or [email protected].

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.

• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.