Transit Intern

Job Description

Transit Intern | County of Sonoma

The Tone:
This is a paid internship at the County of Sonoma, located in Sonoma County, California. The County of Sonoma, through its Public Infrastructure (SPI) Department, is dedicated to creating a safe and sustainable community by managing and maintaining the region’s essential services and infrastructure. This role is vital for an undergraduate student seeking hands-on experience in public transit, directly supporting the Sonoma County Transit Division which serves over 850,000 riders annually. It offers the chance to learn about diverse transit operations and contribute to improving local transportation services.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Part-time (15–30 hours per week)
• Location: In-person, Santa Rosa, CA

• Team: Sonoma County Transit Division, a small team of dedicated staff
• Mission: To assist the Transit Division in managing fixed route and paratransit services and to learn a wide range of transit-related topics and tasks.
• Tech Stack: Database, AVL/Automatic Passenger Counting System, Farebox, Clipper

What You’ll Actually Do
• Inventory Management: Update bus stop inventory records within a dedicated database.
• System Implementation: Assist with the implementation and quality control for a new Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and Automatic Passenger Counting System.
• Data Analysis: Analyze transit ridership data to support operational insights.
• Fare System Analysis: Perform data analysis related to Farebox and Clipper systems.
• Public Engagement: Assist with public outreach initiatives and marketing efforts for transit services.
• Field Operations: Conduct necessary fieldwork, including bus stop inspections and notice posting, with required driving.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Student, currently enrolled in a full-time or part-time academic or vocational curriculum at an accredited college or university, with an interest in transit or city and regional planning.
• Experience: None required, but must possess a valid California Driver’s License.
• Skills: Exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational skills; ability to work effectively within a small team while managing varying workloads and priorities; patience and adaptability for government processes.
• Bonus: Some experience analyzing field data, monitoring conditions, and creating summary reports; prior experience conducting public outreach or marketing; completed coursework in City or Regional Planning or a related field.