Transit Intern

Job Description

Transit Intern | County of Sonoma

The Tone:
This is a paid internship at the County of Sonoma, located within the Sonoma Public Infrastructure (SPI) Department. The department comprises 272 staff who plan, build, manage, and maintain critical transportation infrastructure and public transit services for the county. This role provides an undergraduate student with hands-on experience, supporting a small team that manages transportation services for over 850,000 riders annually, directly contributing to improving public transit in Sonoma County.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Part-time
• Location: In-person, Sonoma County, CA

• Team: Small team within the Sonoma County Transit Division.
• Mission: Assist the Transit Division with a range of tasks to manage and improve fixed route and paratransit transportation services.
• Tech Stack: Database, AVL/Automatic Passenger Counting System, Farebox, Clipper

What You’ll Actually Do
• Data Management: Update bus stop inventory records within a dedicated database system.
• System Implementation: Assist with the implementation and ensure quality control for a new Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL)/Automatic Passenger Counting System.
• Performance Analysis: Analyze transit ridership data to understand service patterns and usage trends.
• Revenue Analysis: Perform data analysis related to Farebox and Clipper systems.
• Community Engagement: Provide assistance with public outreach initiatives and marketing efforts for transit services.
• Field Operations: Conduct necessary field work, which includes bus stop inspections and notice posting, requiring driving as needed.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Current college student pursuing a full-time or part-time academic or vocational curriculum at an accredited institution, with an interest in transit or city and regional planning.
• Experience: No prior experience is required; this internship provides entry-level professional development.
• Skills: Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills; the ability to work effectively in a small team and manage varying workloads and priorities; possession of a valid California Driver’s License.
• Bonus: Completed coursework in City or Regional Planning or a related field; some experience analyzing field data, monitoring conditions, and creating summary reports; experience conducting public outreach and/or marketing.