Graphic Design, Editorial, & Communications Co-Op (Undergraduate Students) en Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

About the Department

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’s Performance Dashboards, Data Blog, and Open Data Portal.

OPMI also operates as the MBTA / MassDOT’s internal research lab, answering questions developed both internally and externally to help us better understand how people interact with the transportation network. Some examples of OPMI’s research include neighborhood-level ridership analysis and survey analysis of frequent riders’ transit use. We are 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 trainings, fieldwork, tours, conferences, and other learning opportunities, as available. By the end of their program, co-ops 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 is a full-time, six-month position (January - June). Co-ops are expected to work 40 hours per week from 9:00am to 5:00pm. OPMI is a hybrid office, meaning co-ops will need to work in-office on Tuesdays and Thursdays but can work remotely on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The ideal candidate is someone with intermediate experience in web design, above average graphic design skills, excellent attention to detail, and intermediate to advanced writing skills.

The office is set up “hotel” style, where staff members have no assigned desk, and book space when they expect to work 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.

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.

This position is for undergraduate / Bachelor's degree students only. Graduate students are not eligible.

Position Duties

• Design and maintain OPMI website, in collaboration with others
• 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 writing and editing processes for OPMI web posts
• Manage web content
• Proofread and edit documents and materials
• Participate in team meetings, staff meetings, organization events, and project teams as needed
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

* 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Enrolled, for entire duration of employment, in an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree program of an accredited college / university.
• Advanced writing skills in English
• Above average sense of visual design
• Intermediate web design skills
• Above average graphic design skills
• Above average communication (in English) and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively in collaborative environments as well as independently
• Ability to independently commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA 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).

In addition to your application, a resume, cover letter, and work sample / link to a portfolio are required.

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 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.

Other Qualifications

• No substitutions.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Familiarity with web design tools
• Quantitative / analytical perspective, with ability to communicate technical findings to non-technical audiences
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite
• Experience with Microsoft Office