2024 Metro Student Internship/Veteran Fellowship - Research Team

Get real world experience with us! Metro’s Mobility Division is seeking an intern or veteran fellow to work within our Market Innovation section. The Market Innovation team focuses on closing gaps between people and the mobility options that currently exist in their community; and is driven by the customer needs, data, as well advances in technology, policy, and partnerships.

This position sits on the Research team, which strives to ensure Metro teams and the whole MTD are equipped with robust, high-quality data, analyses, and research products to help them understand performance and outcomes and make smart and strategic decisions. Here, you'll have the opportunity to work on meaningful projects and contribute to the communities we serve. 

Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students or veterans who have an interest in research and evidence building for improved public transportation via multiple methods and approaches, e.g., literature reviews, customer surveys, quantitative analyses, observational and qualitative methods, and data visualizations.

This recruitment may be used to generate a pool for future positions. The pool would be valid for twelve months upon creation and may be extended at the discretion of the hiring authority.

INTERN EXPERIENCES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with the development of research products, such as literature reviews, program-level dashboards, data summaries, data visualizations and others.
• Develop research briefs that feature data and evidence generated from the Rider/Non-rider survey, panel research, location-based services data, or other Metro research efforts.
• Support Metro teams to collect data as well as interpret and apply findings to answer key questions—e.g., design/program short surveys or observational studies.
• Interpret, report, and help visualize qualitative data for decision-making.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Familiarity/proficiency with data sets and analysis—including both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Familiarity with research design principles and approaches
• Interest in or knowledge of public transportation, social science research approaches, customer research or related topics

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience using Excel, GIS, Power BI, and/or experience with programming languages, such as R, Python or SQL

This work may require or will provide the opportunity to learn/build skills in:
• Working collaboratively with staff in the King Street Center office and in the field.
• Thinking critically and solving problems creatively. Candidates should demonstrate how they've tackled design challenges in the past and how they approach obstacles proactively.
• Ability to apply equity and social justice principles to all aspects of the work.
• Gain practice with applied research to inform program and agency decisions.
• Develop data analysis, research, and communication skills.
• Gain experience in the design and implementation of multiple data collection methods and tools.
• Gain first-hand practical knowledge of how Metro evaluates new services and technologies to improve mobility in King County
• Build experience and skills in development of performance and outcome measures for a variety of public transportation investments, programs, and services.
• Gain practice and expertise with presenting and reporting data for a variety of audiences.

PAY, BENEFITS, AND TELEWORKING REQUIREMENTS

Pay
• Undergraduate Interns: $20.0157– $25.485 per hour
• Graduate Interns: $22.637- $28.6936 per hour
• Vets 4 HIRE Veteran Fellows can be compensated at a range of $19.6345 - $36.3739 depending on military rank and education level.
• Veteran Fellow I - 20.1057 - $25.485 per hour – High School graduate; or pursuing BA; or enlisted grade E1-E3
• Veteran Fellow II - $22.637 - $28.6936 per hour – Possesses BA; or pursuing Masters; or enlisted grade E4-E6
• Veteran Fellow III - $28.696 - $36.3739 per hour – Completed Masters; or enlisted grade E7-E9 or Officer rank

Benefits
Interns and Veteran Fellows receive a free ORCA transit pass for unlimited rides on King County Metro and Puget Sound region transit services. These classifications are not eligible for retirement, holiday nor vacation pay.

Temporary Telecommuting Requirement
The work associated with these job classifications will be performed through a combination of teleworking complemented with onsite work. The specific mix can be agreed between Intern/Veteran Fellow and supervisor. Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. This could include working onsite as needed.

Interns/Veteran Fellows must reside in Washington state during the period of this internship. Onsite work is most often completed via shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Unless accomplished via the provided ORCA card, commuting to onsite work will be at the expense of the employee.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your cover letter and resume AS PDF ATTACHMENTS via email to Mobility.Internship@kingcounty.gov with the subject line “2024 Intern/Veteran Fellow Application:” and then your first and last name. 

Your cover letter should tell us why you are interested in working at King County Metro and how you meet the qualifications for the position outlined above.

Within your application documents, please be sure to include:
•Which school and program you are enrolled in and your anticipated graduation date.
•For Veteran Fellowships, please indicate military rank and education level, along with school name, year of graduation if relevant, and any other educational credentials.
•Please let us know how/where you heard about the internship!

All application materials received by 11:59AM on March 27, 2024, will be reviewed for completeness and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in an interview. Final offers are contingent on the successful completion of reference checks. Proof of enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate degree program for the Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 quarters/semesters will be required for student internships at the time of hire. 

Application materials received after 11:59 AM on March 27, 2024, will be placed in a second-round hold, and those applicants will be contacted only if hires are not committed during the first round of screening and interviews. 

Questions and Contact

Please send all application materials and questions to Mobility.Internship@kingcounty.gov.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Application & Selection Process
An online employment application, resume, and cover letter are required.

Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks.

Union Membership: These positions are not represented by a union.

Class Codes: 299601, 299701, 299801, 299070, 299010, 299020, 299030

Work Location: King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104

If you are interested in pursuing a position on this posting, please follow the application instructions listed above. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or if you have questions please contact: Mobility.Internship@kingcounty.gov