What are the responsibilities and job description for the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) Internship position at City of Philadelphia?
Company Description
A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.
As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.
What we offer
The Managing Director’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) is charged with driving change through our transportation and infrastructure systems. OTIS leads a portfolio of departments, including Streets Transportation, Streets Sanitation, Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), and Office of Multimodal Planning (OMP) to provide cost-effective quality services with a focus on the resident. OTIS collaborates with a wide variety of organizations such as Amtrak, DVRPC, PATCO, PennDOT, SEPTA, and the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
As an office environment, OTIS provides a unique opportunity for individuals who want to make meaningful and visible change in the place where they live. OTIS is staffed by people who believe that investments in the built environment can lift communities and prepare our city for a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable future.
More information about the functions of OTIS can be found at: www.phila.gov/otis
Job Description
Position Summary
OTIS student interns will support a variety of transportation programs and teams. Interns will work on projects to support policy, technical, administrative, and engagement activities in the public sector.
Skills
Interns will report to a single supervisor within a particular program on a regular basis and may support various OTIS staff members, depending on project needs and intern skills and interests. Opportunities are available in program teams as detailed below. Applicants will be asked to indicate their preference to be considered for roles in one (1) for the following assignment groupings:
Essential Functions
Essential functions vary by program area as described below.
Multimodal Planning: Interns will work with the Office of Multimodal Planning on transportation projects throughout the city within core program areas. The Complete Streets program focuses on implementing the high-quality bike network, slow zone and pedestrian enhancement projects, transit priority projects, and multimodal coordination in street concepts. Vision Zero leads the City to improve traffic safety on city streets through data driven approaches as outlined in the Vision Zero Action Plan. The Electric Vehicle Strategy program which seeks to expand access to public electric vehicle charging. Regardless of specific assignment, Multimodal Planning interns will work on multiple projects and programs designed to make Philadelphia’s streets safer and more accessible for all. Tasks may include transportation data analysis, development of marketing or educational materials, community outreach support, street corridor design, researching and writing policy memos, mapping and data collection.
Skills/Experience - Proficiency in ArcGIS, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint required. Proficiency in R, Adobe InDesign/Illustrator a plus but not required.
Indego Bike Share System: Intern will work with OTIS staff on various tasks related to the City’s Indego bike share program. Interns will help with bike share planning, stakeholder engagement, and the system expansion process. Applicants should have a strong interest in bike share, community engagement, and equitable transportation.
Skills/Experience – Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Client Relationship Management. Proficiency in Adobe InDesign/Illustrator a plus but not required.
Chinatown Stitch Project: The intern will work on tasks supporting one of Philadelphia’s most transformative infrastructure projects: the Chinatown Stitch. Funded by over $160 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) grants, this project will cap portions of the Vine Street Expressway and introduce traffic calming and safety improvements. Day-to-day tasks may vary widely, reflecting the dynamic nature of the project, and will involve collaboration with diverse partners including community groups, consultants, elected officials, and City of Philadelphia staff.
Skills/Experience – Proficiency in Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Office required. Familiarity with Philadelphia’s Chinatown and complete streets design principles highly valued. Mandarin and/or Cantonese language skills are a plus.
Grants and Funding Strategy: Intern will work closely with the Grants Team, gaining hands-on experience across both pre-award and post-award operations. In the pre-award phase, the intern will assist with identifying grant opportunities, preparing proposals, developing maps and budgets, improving the grant strategy and revising grant applications. During the post-award phase, they will support grant administration by centralizing grant agreements, creating and maintaining grant profiles, reviewing progress reports, and ensuring compliance with grant regulations.
Skills/Experience – Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency in ArcGIS, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe InDesign/Illustrator are a plus.
Federal Infrastructure Strategy: Intern will work with OTIS’s Infrastructure Solutions Team (IST) on tasks pertaining to the implementation of major infrastructure projects (complete street improvements, bridges and structures, airport improvements, water and utility systems upgrades, resiliency and flood mitigation) funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Intern will support the team through research and analysis of current federal, state, and City policies, project review, data compilation, and technical writing. The intern’s work will advance policy interventions to ensure the nearly $1B investment from BIL grows generational wealth for underserved communities. The intern will assist with piloting strategies to grow workforce and business opportunity with infrastructure investments for Philadelphians.
Skills/Experience – Proficiency in Microsoft Suite required. Proficiency in Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator, preferred. Familiarity with policies to close racial wealth gap highly valued.
Communications: The intern will work with the OTIS Communications Manager on creating and implementing communication strategies for OTIS, highlighting the important work and projects of OTIS and its partner agencies. Tasks may include drafting press releases, blogs, and talking points; developing social media content and toolkits; drafting and updating website content, analyzing and creating reports based on social media and ad campaign metrics; supporting press conferences, ribbon cuttings, and other public-facing events.
Skills/Experience – Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, social media platforms are a plus.
Competencies, Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
Vary depending on assignment (see program descriptions in essential functions), but overall preferred skills and experience include:
Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program with coursework in city planning, engineering, transportation, data analysis, urban studies, geography, public policy, communications or other related field.
While many interns have a background in transportation policy and planning, any applicants with the required skills and interests from different areas of study are encouraged to apply. Internships are primarily intended for graduate students, but upper-level undergraduate students with equivalent work experience and skills may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The exception is the Communications program – any level currently enrolled college student is encouraged to apply.
Additional Information
TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.
Hourly rate: $18/hour - undergraduate students; $20/hour - graduate students
Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:
The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.
For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx
A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.
As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.
What we offer
- Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.
- Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
- Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
- Benefits - We care about your well-being.
The Managing Director’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) is charged with driving change through our transportation and infrastructure systems. OTIS leads a portfolio of departments, including Streets Transportation, Streets Sanitation, Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), and Office of Multimodal Planning (OMP) to provide cost-effective quality services with a focus on the resident. OTIS collaborates with a wide variety of organizations such as Amtrak, DVRPC, PATCO, PennDOT, SEPTA, and the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
As an office environment, OTIS provides a unique opportunity for individuals who want to make meaningful and visible change in the place where they live. OTIS is staffed by people who believe that investments in the built environment can lift communities and prepare our city for a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable future.
More information about the functions of OTIS can be found at: www.phila.gov/otis
Job Description
Position Summary
OTIS student interns will support a variety of transportation programs and teams. Interns will work on projects to support policy, technical, administrative, and engagement activities in the public sector.
Skills
Interns will report to a single supervisor within a particular program on a regular basis and may support various OTIS staff members, depending on project needs and intern skills and interests. Opportunities are available in program teams as detailed below. Applicants will be asked to indicate their preference to be considered for roles in one (1) for the following assignment groupings:
- Multimodal Planning, Indego Bike Share System, and Chinatown Stitch; or
- Grants and Funding Strategy, Federal Infrastructure Strategy, and Communications.
Essential Functions
Essential functions vary by program area as described below.
Multimodal Planning: Interns will work with the Office of Multimodal Planning on transportation projects throughout the city within core program areas. The Complete Streets program focuses on implementing the high-quality bike network, slow zone and pedestrian enhancement projects, transit priority projects, and multimodal coordination in street concepts. Vision Zero leads the City to improve traffic safety on city streets through data driven approaches as outlined in the Vision Zero Action Plan. The Electric Vehicle Strategy program which seeks to expand access to public electric vehicle charging. Regardless of specific assignment, Multimodal Planning interns will work on multiple projects and programs designed to make Philadelphia’s streets safer and more accessible for all. Tasks may include transportation data analysis, development of marketing or educational materials, community outreach support, street corridor design, researching and writing policy memos, mapping and data collection.
Skills/Experience - Proficiency in ArcGIS, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint required. Proficiency in R, Adobe InDesign/Illustrator a plus but not required.
Indego Bike Share System: Intern will work with OTIS staff on various tasks related to the City’s Indego bike share program. Interns will help with bike share planning, stakeholder engagement, and the system expansion process. Applicants should have a strong interest in bike share, community engagement, and equitable transportation.
Skills/Experience – Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Client Relationship Management. Proficiency in Adobe InDesign/Illustrator a plus but not required.
Chinatown Stitch Project: The intern will work on tasks supporting one of Philadelphia’s most transformative infrastructure projects: the Chinatown Stitch. Funded by over $160 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) grants, this project will cap portions of the Vine Street Expressway and introduce traffic calming and safety improvements. Day-to-day tasks may vary widely, reflecting the dynamic nature of the project, and will involve collaboration with diverse partners including community groups, consultants, elected officials, and City of Philadelphia staff.
Skills/Experience – Proficiency in Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Office required. Familiarity with Philadelphia’s Chinatown and complete streets design principles highly valued. Mandarin and/or Cantonese language skills are a plus.
Grants and Funding Strategy: Intern will work closely with the Grants Team, gaining hands-on experience across both pre-award and post-award operations. In the pre-award phase, the intern will assist with identifying grant opportunities, preparing proposals, developing maps and budgets, improving the grant strategy and revising grant applications. During the post-award phase, they will support grant administration by centralizing grant agreements, creating and maintaining grant profiles, reviewing progress reports, and ensuring compliance with grant regulations.
Skills/Experience – Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency in ArcGIS, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe InDesign/Illustrator are a plus.
Federal Infrastructure Strategy: Intern will work with OTIS’s Infrastructure Solutions Team (IST) on tasks pertaining to the implementation of major infrastructure projects (complete street improvements, bridges and structures, airport improvements, water and utility systems upgrades, resiliency and flood mitigation) funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Intern will support the team through research and analysis of current federal, state, and City policies, project review, data compilation, and technical writing. The intern’s work will advance policy interventions to ensure the nearly $1B investment from BIL grows generational wealth for underserved communities. The intern will assist with piloting strategies to grow workforce and business opportunity with infrastructure investments for Philadelphians.
Skills/Experience – Proficiency in Microsoft Suite required. Proficiency in Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator, preferred. Familiarity with policies to close racial wealth gap highly valued.
Communications: The intern will work with the OTIS Communications Manager on creating and implementing communication strategies for OTIS, highlighting the important work and projects of OTIS and its partner agencies. Tasks may include drafting press releases, blogs, and talking points; developing social media content and toolkits; drafting and updating website content, analyzing and creating reports based on social media and ad campaign metrics; supporting press conferences, ribbon cuttings, and other public-facing events.
Skills/Experience – Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, social media platforms are a plus.
Competencies, Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
Vary depending on assignment (see program descriptions in essential functions), but overall preferred skills and experience include:
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Proficiency is data analysis and mapping (e.g., Excel, ArcGIS, R)
- Knowledge of multimodal transportation
- Knowledge of Philadelphia
- Experience in community engagement
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite
Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program with coursework in city planning, engineering, transportation, data analysis, urban studies, geography, public policy, communications or other related field.
While many interns have a background in transportation policy and planning, any applicants with the required skills and interests from different areas of study are encouraged to apply. Internships are primarily intended for graduate students, but upper-level undergraduate students with equivalent work experience and skills may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The exception is the Communications program – any level currently enrolled college student is encouraged to apply.
Additional Information
TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.
Hourly rate: $18/hour - undergraduate students; $20/hour - graduate students
Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:
- Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
- Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
- We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
- Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
- Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Generous retirement savings options are available
- Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
- Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!
- The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire
The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.
For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx
Salary : $18 - $20
