TRANSIT OPERATIONS NCDOT SUMMER INTERN

Background

North Carolina Department of Transportation Sponsored Internship Program

The Public Transportation Internship Program, administered by the N.C. Department of Transportation Integrated Mobility Division (NCDOT-IMD), provides work experience and learning opportunities for students enrolled in an undergraduate or Master's program or graduating with an undergraduate degree in 2025 from a college or university in North Carolina who have the desire to work in the field of public transportation management.

The program provides exposure to all aspects of a transit system, allowing interns to gain experience in managing public transportation operations. The Internship Program also assists with developing a pool of qualified workers for the future of the state's public transportation industry

NCDOT interns earn an hourly wage with maximum compensation equaling $9050.00. Each department will set hours and include other requirements with extension of offer. 

Essential Functions

On a day-to-day basis, interns will collaborate with our operations team, participating in weekly ridership reviews and supporting daily operational tasks such as staff training and vehicle safety checks. These activities will give them a clear understanding of the essential functions required to maintain a small urban transit system. Additionally, they will engage in tasks like reviewing bus stop placements, contributing to infrastructure planning, and optimizing traffic flow—all of which play a key role in the operational efficiency of the system.

An Intern may do the following.

• Research on how to improve ridership reporting.
• Perform task monitoring the effects of introducing new technologies into transit.
• Recording and reporting on ridership for our on-demand program
• Assist in safety inspections by helping to monitor daily vehicle checks for safety, cleanliness, and operational readiness.
• Review Safety protocols by helping to track compliance with safety regulations, assist in safety audits, and ensure that proper documentation is maintained.
• Track Maintenance Requests by logging vehicle maintenance issues or track repairs and service needs.
• Assist with Inventory management by reviewing and maintaining records of parts, supplies, and tools for maintaining vehicles.
• Assisting with quantitative and qualitative research
• Assisting with data collection and analysis
• Attending department meetings and events
• Assisting with some administrative work including data entry tasks, filing, copying, etc.

Operations based activities including but not limited to:

• Dispatching-observing and assisting Dispatcher to gain an understanding of how the Transit system operates.
• Supervisors- observing Street Supervisors as they conduct their daily tasks and assist as needed.
• Training Specialists-observing Training Specialists as they conduct Classroom training sessions, skills training and on street evaluations.
• Operations Managers- Operations Managers will share their career progression experiences and how they began their Transit careers.
• Operators-Riding the Fixed Route service to understand what Bus Operators do on a daily basis.
• Operators- Riding the Demand Response service to understand what this group Operators do on a daily basis and how it differs from Fixed Route.
• Transit Director and Deputy Director- The Director and Deputy Director can share their career experiences and why Transit careers can be personally rewarding while also providing a vital public service.

To be considered for the internship position with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, candidates must:

• Be a student enrolled in an undergraduate or Master's program or graduating with an undergraduate degree in 2025 from an accredited college or university in North Carolina.
• Possess good oral and written communication skills.
• Be proficient with computers and software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Be eager to learn and able to work independently.

Chapel Hill Transit – Transit Operating Intern

Interns in our Operations department will gain hands-on experience by assisting with tasks such as researching ridership reporting improvements and evaluating the impact of new technologies on transit.

A successful Intern is going to need: 

• A commitment to public service and contributing to positive community solutions
• A passion for equitable community engagement
• Excellent research, analysis, and collaboration skills
• Ability to manage a variety of tasks simultaneously
• Possess good oral and written communication skills
• Be proficient with computers and software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Be eager to learn and able to work independently
• Model behaviors that are consistent with our values of RESPECT. 

Salary : $20