Transportation Planning Summer Intern

The Grand Valley Metro Council is an alliance of governmental units in the West Michigan area that are appointed to plan for growth and development, improve quality of life, and coordinate governmental services. GVMC is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Grand Rapids Urbanized area and is responsible for carrying out all transportation-related planning activities for the region. 

 

The position of Transportation Planning Intern will be under the supervision of the Director of Transportation Planning and assist the department with their work. Primary duties will focus on activities associated with meeting the goals of the Clean Air Action Program, the nonmotorized program, and the safety program.

 

·        Nonmotorized Program: Assist with initial nonmotorized count data collection on regional bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

·        Administration: Assist with agendas and taking meeting minutes for various committee meetings.

The Transportation Planning Intern is expected to work 20-30 hours per week. Hours are flexible since some evening and weekend hours are required to cover events and community meetings. Work would begin in early-May and end late-August, although other dates can be accommodated. Hourly rate will be $16, considered part-time with no benefits.

 

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.

·        Current enrollment or recent graduate in a transportation planning or related field.

·        Over 18 years old.

·        A State of Michigan Vehicle Operator’s License.

·        Familiarity in the use of Microsoft Office software, including but not limited to Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

·        Proficiency with social networking tools to keep up with changing methods of communication.

·        Creative thinking skills to critique and assist in developing innovative and interesting public education materials and programs.

·        Ability to work independently to accomplish tasks and within a team to help meet larger goals and objectives of programs.

·        Ability to attend meetings and events at times other than regular business hours.

·        Strong writing skills.

·        Customer service and communication skills.

·        Database management.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may need to communicate with others in person, over email, and on the telephone. The employee may compose and read written and computerized documents, plans, and maps. The employee may need to travel to locations within Kent and eastern Ottawa Counties. The employee must be able to occasionally lift and/or move items of light weight and carry equipment in the outdoors.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in a business office setting or virtual depending on CDC and State guidelines. The employee may be exposed to outside weather conditions during travel, site visits, and conducting field work. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

 

Additional information about the work that we do is available at https://www.gvmc.org/about-mpo and https://www.wmcac.org/. If interested in this position, please email resume and cover letter by April 16, 2020, to GVMC’s Human Resources Director, Gayle McCrath, at mccrathg@gvmc.org. If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Laurel Joseph at 616-776-7610 or laurel.joseph@gvmc.org.