Summer Internship

General

The San Mateo County Transit District (SMCTD) is committed to delivering a robust Internship Program giving students the opportunity to apply the skills learned in the classroom, develop professional skills, and acquire a thorough understanding of a unique public transit agency. The San Mateo County Transit District is a Special District, it is the managing agency for SamTrans, Caltrain, San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA), and the San Mateo County 101 Express Lanes Project.

The Summer Intern program is designed to include real work projects in each area gives students the opportunity to consider a career in the transit industry - including tours of bus and train facilities, opportunities to learn about the multitude of career tracks within transit through information sessions, and professional development such as resume writing and interview skill development. We hope interns will gain invaluable experience by partnering and with and learning from our team of professionals.

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Temporary (Non-Exempt / Hourly)

WORK SCHEDULE: Starting June 22, 2026 – 320 Hours Maximum

1 internship is available in each of the below areas: 

SamTrans - Operations Planning

The selected Intern will assist the Operations Planning team with Bus Stop Improvement Project (BSIP) implementation by analyzing SamTrans bus routes and making recommendations to ensure the bus stop spacing is compliant with policy framework; analyze timepoint data; document red curb information and develop plans with cities for how to improve; assist the team with acclimating staff to new amenity design standards; and collect, analyze and make recommendations of how to alleviate safety concerns along SamTrans routes. 

SamTrans - Strategic Planning

The selected Intern will assist the Strategic Planning team with phase 3 of the Central El Camino Multimodal Plan by research, developing presentations, participating in public outreach and attending project meetings; assist the team with prioritizing the Capital Improvement Plan through project scoring and ranking, drafting materials for stakeholders, and supporting presentations; as well as gaining exposure to the District’s 10 year Strategic Plan, fare studies, Way2Go program, and Reimagine Dumbarton. 

SamTrans - Sustainability Planning

The selected Intern will assist the Sustainability team with research, analysis, and development of climate resiliency grant applications for SamTrans and Caltrain; participate in employee engagement efforts related to sustainability and the District’s relocation to a new office site (and disposition of former office); review and provide recommendations on relevant environmental projects impacting operations to support CEQA & NEPA clearance work and zero emission transition projects; and work with the manager to support research and development of the Sustainability Program Strategic Plan. 

SamTrans - Safety & Security

The selected Intern will assist the Safety & Security team with Environmental Health & Safety projects; maintaining documentation of OSHA, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) & Department of Transportation (DOT) compliance; shadow the team for base inspections and internal audits as well as conducting feedback surveys, gathering and compiling data for reporting, and supporting District-wide safety training.

Safety & Security – Data Analysis

The selected Intern will assist the Safety & Security team with tracking training completions in excel; gather information from surveys and feedback forms; shadow the Data Analyst in developing the accident reporting flow for SamTrans bus operators by analyzing reporting criteria for accidents, hazards, inspections, and corrective actions. 

SamTrans - Employee Relations

The selected Intern will assist the District’s Employee Relations department with developing a repository of historic arbitration information by reviewing and analyzing case files, then present the findings to the Chief People Officer & Deputy Director of Labor Relations; and shadow the grievance process including reviewing Collective Bargaining Agreement contracts, gathering information, and making recommendations. 

SamTrans - Innovation & Technology (IT)

The selected Intern will be assigned to the Division of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) with developing the District’s Tableau and Power BI Dashboard, working with internal stakeholders to understand needs and develop solutions. 

SamTrans - Communications

The selected Intern will assist the Communications department with coordination and logistical support for the SamTrans 50th Anniversary celebrations including event planning, scheduling, and administrative support; support outreach efforts including Pride in San Francisco & San Mateo Counties; and support the District’s social media team with ideas and content. 

SamTrans - Creative Services 

The selected Intern will assist the Creative Services team by leading a photo shoot project to build their asset library and improve the department’s asset organization in CANTO. The intern will learn to create digital and print content to improve customer communication of bus and train service and work on graphics for special event promotion. 

SamTrans - Bus Operations Infrastructure 

The selected Intern will assist the Bus Operations Infrastructure & Project Delivery team with their construction projects related to zero emission transition and sustainability including electrical infrastructure to support Electric Vehicle charging of buses, and the design-build installation of a permanent Hydrogen Storage and Fueling station, and finally the modification of bus maintenance bays to comply with fuel cell technology. 

SamTrans - Contracts & Procurement 

The selected Intern will assist the Contracts & Procurement team with analyzing active contracts and procurement processes, developing a compliance checklist for future self-auditing, and adding documentation where necessary; shadow the procurement team from requisition to award creating a workflow against it; interpret online forms and set up approval processes to replace the antiquated email system; assist with updating presentations for internal customers. 

SamTrans - Real Estate 

The selected Intern will assist the Real Estate team with aggregating the District’s real estate data into one GIS platform, working closely with IT’s GIS team, SamTrans and Caltrain real estate teams this intern will create best practices of how to maintain the database. 

SamTrans - Web Development (Drupal)

The selected Intern will assist the Web Development team with assessing the District’s web and digital content is compliant with accessibility standards by evaluating multimedia and print content, reviewing web pages for accessibility gaps, and supporting the creation of internal guidelines; as well as implementing design and content updates on our 4 websites, updating forms and UI components to meet standards, and performing testing. 

Transportation Authority - Planning & Fund Management

The selected Intern will assist the Planning & Fund Management team with identifying and developing potential funding opportunities and grant applications; assist with planning projects including the Half Moon Bay Hwy 1 Corridor Study and Shuttle Strategy; assist with developing reporting templates for funding programs, as well as research and develop a new mini-grant program for project funding. 

Transportation Authority – Project Delivery

The selected Intern will assist the Project Delivery team by researching funding programs and tracking various factors related to project sustainability; maintaining data and information on projects awarded through the Transportation Authority; as well as supporting the preparation of Work Directive Proposal Requests, a Request for Authorization for Federal Earmark Funding and evaluating completed projects.

Caltrain - Executive Administration

The selected Intern will assist the Executive Administration team with board preparation including shadowing the team in board packet creation, determining agenda items, creating staff reports and resolutions, and building and publishing agendas in compliance with the Brown Act and public meeting requirements; learning the District’s record storage system and retention policy; shadowing board meetings, taking meeting notes, and accurately recording meeting minutes and member votes; and providing support to the department’s digitization project.

Caltrain - Government and Community Affairs

Caltrain’s Government and Community Affairs team is responsible for developing and coordinating the organization’s legislative program at the federal, state, regional and local levels. The Government Affairs team monitors and analyzes the impact of legislative, policy, and regulatory issues, and develops a coordinated strategy and response. The team works closely with the offices of our state and federal delegation members and maintains an active presence in Washington D.C. and Sacramento. The team leads the Agency’s engagement with local elected officials and city staff in the 19 cities along the Caltrain corridor.

The Government and Community Affairs team also coordinates public outreach and community affairs for Caltrain’s capital projects. The team leads regional political strategy for major infrastructure and transit-oriented development efforts, serves as a liaison to local stakeholders and community based organizations, and supports funding initiatives to help move capital projects from planning through delivery.

Caltrain - Infrastructure Engineering

The Rail Engineering Department within the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain/JPB) provides engineering, design review, and project oversight to maintain and modernize the Caltrain corridor from San Francisco to San Jose. Our team supports track and right-of-way (ROW) infrastructure, stations, signals, and communications, electrification interfaces, and state-of-good-repair initiatives. We work closely with Operations and Construction to plan safe field access, verify existing conditions, and ensure engineering standards are applied consistently across projects and third-party coordination efforts.

This internship supports the Track Chart Updates program, which aims to improve the accuracy and usability of Caltrain’s corridor documentation by updating CADD and conducting field verification. The intern will contribute to engineering documentation used for safe operations, maintenance, and capital delivery.
 

Caltrain - Rail Operations

The Caltrain Operations and Maintenance Department oversees the operations and maintenance for railroad daily operations and maintenance programs, safely run the train service, maintain tracks and the right of way assets.

Caltrain - Planning & Real Estate

Capital Planning Internship will assist with Capital Program and Projects Planning Support. Provide planning support across multiple functions, including Operations Planning, Systemwide Planning and deliver recurring work programs and special planning initiatives.  Support the development of grant strategies for Caltrain’s Capital Program, including preparation of grant applications.  Support updates to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to inform the FY28–FY29 Capital Budget. Support preparation of Board items for capital budget amendments, including compilation and coordination of capital project information.  Support development of capital projects during the planning phase.
 

Real Estate and TOD Planning Internship will assist with Real Estate website and marketing, Transit Oriented Development support and solicitation frameworks. Support updates to the Real Estate webpage and broader efforts to enhance the marketing of available properties and policy transparency.  Assist with the development of real estate materials and frameworks to support future transit-oriented development solicitations, including the creation of templates for RFPs and developer handbooks.

Caltrain - Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC)

The Quality Department is responsible for implementing and maintaining the agency’s quality program to meet and exceed regulatory, contractual, and stakeholder requirements. This is achieved through oversight of key projects and departments—including, but not limited to, capital projects, operations and maintenance, and service delivery—to identify risks, prevent noncompliance and recurrence, and promote continual improvement.

Caltrain - Rail Safety

The Caltrain Rail Safety Department oversees railroad and system safety across operations, infrastructure, and capital projects, with responsibility for regulatory compliance, field safety oversight, and emergency preparedness. The department supports Engineering, Construction, Operations, and contract operators to ensure work in and around the railroad right-of-way is performed safely. Rail Safety also leads the System Safety Program Plan, Fire and Life Safety Program, and safety culture initiatives to reduce risk and support safe, reliable service.

Caltrain - Commercial & Business Development

The Caltrain Commercial and Business Development Department is responsible for strengthening Caltrain’s long-term financial sustainability by advancing revenue growth, improving cost efficiency, and supporting strategic investment decisions. The department leads efforts to enhance both fare and non-fare revenues while implementing disciplined financial management practices that align operating needs with capital delivery priorities.

Key functions include updating Caltrain’s strategic financial plan and developing pathways for new, dedicated long-term revenue sources. The department supports agency operations and capital programs through proactive grant development, funding strategy, and effective funding management. It also conducts ongoing reviews of professional services and support contracts to identify cost-saving and cost-containment opportunities.

Other Duties: 

• All employees of the District must perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect one’s self, fellow employees and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures in an effort to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited university as an undergraduate student, graduate student, or 2025 graduate. 
• Must be able to work onsite in Millbrae for the duration of the program (June 22 – August 14), not to exceed 40 hours/week or 320 cumulative hours.

Other Requirements:

• Relevant degree fields to the internship are preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Familiarity with other computer programs desirable.
• Effective research, data analysis, and analytical skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a problem-solving mindset. 

Additional Information

Interns are classified as temporary employees. Interns do not qualify for PTO, holiday pay, or benefits.  Transportation passes for District systems (Caltrain & SamTrans) will be offered for the duration of the internship. 
   

How to Apply

Complete an online employment application via GovernmentJobs.com by 11:59 p.m. of the listed closing date.  Resumes and cover letters will not be accepted in lieu of fully completed applications.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that applications are completed with all relevant information (experience, education, certifications, licenses, references and/or other information). 

The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment/examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.  If you have a need for an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department.   

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace environment.  We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  Minorities, Women, Persons with Disabilities and Veterans are encouraged to apply.