San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
5381-Student Design Trainee II, Arch, Engr, & Planning
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
Recruitment: RTF0161859-01158957
Published: November 20, 2025
Accepting applications until: January 16, 2026
Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) connects San Franciscans with their communities to enhance the economy, environment and, ultimately, the quality of life in the city. As an agency within the City and County of San Francisco, the SFMTA is responsible for managing the city’s transportation network. The agency has more than 6,000 employees who are responsible for managing all ground and some underground transportation in the city. The SFMTA has oversight over public transit, as well as bicycling, paratransit, parking and curb management, street operations, walking, and taxis.
Please visit the “About Us” section of our website at https://www.sfmta.com/about-sfmta to learn more about the department’s core values, Racial Equity Initiative, leadership team, history, budget and more.
Recruitment ID: TEX-5381-161860
Appointment Type:
Temporary Exempt, Full Time appointment – This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer. Application Opening:
November 20, 2025 Application Filling Deadline:
January 16, 2026 There are 4 total internship postings: 2 for Planning and 2 for Engineering, each posting with a unique set of multiple positions. Applicants will only be considered for the positions associated with the internship posting(s) they apply for. Therefore, if you meet the minimum qualifications for multiple internship postings and would like to be considered for multiple sets of positions, you must apply to each posting separately. Read this job ad in its entirety before applying. This job ad contains important information on timeline and terms of applying, including transcript, resume and cover letter requirements. If after reading you have additional questions about the application process, please contact internships@sfmta.com. Filing Deadline: January 16, 2026 Invitations to interview will be sent tentatively between February 9 - 13, 2026 Interviews will be conducted tentatively between February 23- March 6, 2026 Selected candidates will be notified tentatively between March 16- 30, 2026 The internship program offers seminars and field trips for interns to learn about various parts of the Agency. Attendance is mandatory at these events. Interns will also participate in PechaKucha presentations at the end of the summer. Work Schedule We work in a hybrid and traditional environment, and you may be expected to work onsite in the office up to 5 days per week. In-office workdays are determined by the nature of the work and scheduled by your supervisor. Per the City’s Telecommuting Policy, interns must be based in the Bay Area for the extent of their internship. The internship follows a 40-hour work-week, generally between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM, Monday to Friday. Work outside these hours may be required for fieldwork, outreach events, etc. Interns may be eligible for a flexible work schedule, subject to supervisor and division approval. Interns may work up to 1,040 hours in a fiscal year. Most intern positions will terminate at the end of summer; depending on the nature of the work, some positions may be eligible to continue into the school year, subject to supervisor and division approval. Intern Positions Availability Streets Division Planning interns within the Street Division support project community outreach and engagement by attending stakeholder meetings, public meetings, and open houses, tabling at public events like Sunday Streets, soliciting and documenting community feedback through surveys, door-to-door outreach, phone calls, emails, surveys, and more; collecting and analyzing data (may involve fieldwork); assisting with policy development and/or report creation; conducting geospatial analyses and generating maps using ArcGIS; conducting surveys; supporting long-range transportation plans; and preparing presentations and/or project visuals. Responsibilities will vary depending on the team. Planning teams within the Streets Division include: Transportation Planning Livable Streets Curb Management Transit Division The Transit Division performs a wide range of planning functions in support of San Francisco’s transit system. Key areas include short‑ and long‑range service planning, street design improvements to reduce transit delay, program delivery support, transit business administration, and special events planning. Planning interns within the Transit Division assist with service planning and capital planning projects; supporting project community outreach and engagement; analyzing data; developing maps and graphics and performing spatial analysis. Responsibilities will vary depending on the team. Planning teams within the Transit Division include: Business Administration Program Delivery & Support Transit Planning Transit Operations Finance Division Planning interns within the Finance Division support funding applications and advocacy by evaluating funding opportunities, soliciting project proposals from implementing teams across the agency; conducting policy research, data collection and analysis (may involve fieldwork); assisting with policy development and/or report creation; conducting geospatial analyses and generating maps using ArcGIS; and preparing presentations and/or project visuals. Responsibilities will vary depending on the team. Planning teams within Finance include: Funding Strategy and Programs Asset Management Taxis, Access, and Mobility Services (TAMS) Sub Division Planning interns within the TAMS Sub Division evaluate different transit, bike, and pedestrian plans for impacts on accessibility; research and develop best practices related to shared mobility accessibility; assist in development of programs serving seniors and people with disabilities; track data for shuttle, scooter share, and bike share permittees; assist with stop planning for commuter shuttles; and design improved taxi stands and signage. Duties can include building or updating public dashboards, combining data from multiple data sources, writing memos, evaluating impact of program rule changes, conducting surveys and gathering stakeholder input, determining potential impacts to underserved or disadvantaged communities, and improving the range of transportation options available. This Division is also involved in helping standardize or set industry standards on emerging mobility trip and telemetry data, best practices for shared device permittees, and informing legislated changes. Responsibilities will vary depending on the team. Planning teams within the TAMS Sub Division include: Taxis and Mobility Services Accessible Services How to Qualify
Minimum Qualifications Education: At the time of submitting your application, you must be enrolled in an accredited university or a community college pursuing a degree in City Planning, Environmental Policy, Management, Environmental Studies, Geography, Public Administration, Public Policy, Transportation Planning, Transportation Management, Urban Planning, Urban Studies, any engineering degree, or a related field. You must be currently enrolled and continuing in an associate, undergraduate or graduate program or entering/continuing a graduate program in the Fall 2026. Students enrolled in the second‑to‑last or last semester who will soon graduate are also encouraged to apply as you may still be selected for the program within six months of graduation. Experience: No previous experience is necessary for individuals pursuing a master’s degree or higher in a qualifying field. For undergraduate candidates, prior planning or relevant internship experience is required to compete for positions at the 5381 level. Desirable Qualifications Interest in public‑sector careers in transportation, especially public transit, walking, and bicycling. Understanding of how transportation decisions impact marginalized communities, including people of color, low‑income individuals, and people with disabilities. Experience working with marginalized communities. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, including, but not limited to, examples from school, work, community activities, extracurricular activities, team sports and/or volunteering experiences. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Ability to adapt to new situations, changing priorities, or unexpected challenges to meet project goals. Ability to analyze evidence, critically consider options, and draw conclusions from data. Knowledge of transportation planning principles, practices, and techniques demonstrated in classroom or job/internship experience. Applied knowledge of Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and/or other software. What Else Should I Know?
Important Information for Applying – Please Read Carefully: Use the ‘Easy Apply’ feature at the top of the application page to pre‑fill the page. This will also automatically attach your resume to the application. You must attach the following: Proof of your community college, undergraduate or graduate school education (Master’s or PhD program). This can be an official or unofficial transcript, diploma, class schedule, or other document that shows your current enrollment or student status with your school. Submission date for college transcripts may be extended if it is impossible to obtain by January 16, 2026. Applicants must submit a signed statement explaining why transcripts cannot be obtained by the filing date. Extension requests will be granted on a case‑by‑case basis. It is the applicant’s sole responsibility that all application materials and support documentation be received in a complete and legible form. Resume (PDF only, limited to 2 pages). Cover letter (PDF only, limited to 2 pages) that briefly addresses your interest in urban planning, transportation, city government, community engagement, and career goals, and includes examples that show how you meet the desirable qualifications listed on this job ad. Applications without these attachments will be considered incomplete and may not move forward in the hiring process. If you have any questions or need assistance, you may email internships@sfmta.com. The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Depending on the number of applicants, the SFMTA may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of SFMTA will be invited to participate in the oral/performance interview. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
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Temporary Exempt, Full Time appointment – This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer. Application Opening:
November 20, 2025 Application Filling Deadline:
January 16, 2026 There are 4 total internship postings: 2 for Planning and 2 for Engineering, each posting with a unique set of multiple positions. Applicants will only be considered for the positions associated with the internship posting(s) they apply for. Therefore, if you meet the minimum qualifications for multiple internship postings and would like to be considered for multiple sets of positions, you must apply to each posting separately. Read this job ad in its entirety before applying. This job ad contains important information on timeline and terms of applying, including transcript, resume and cover letter requirements. If after reading you have additional questions about the application process, please contact internships@sfmta.com. Filing Deadline: January 16, 2026 Invitations to interview will be sent tentatively between February 9 - 13, 2026 Interviews will be conducted tentatively between February 23- March 6, 2026 Selected candidates will be notified tentatively between March 16- 30, 2026 The internship program offers seminars and field trips for interns to learn about various parts of the Agency. Attendance is mandatory at these events. Interns will also participate in PechaKucha presentations at the end of the summer. Work Schedule We work in a hybrid and traditional environment, and you may be expected to work onsite in the office up to 5 days per week. In-office workdays are determined by the nature of the work and scheduled by your supervisor. Per the City’s Telecommuting Policy, interns must be based in the Bay Area for the extent of their internship. The internship follows a 40-hour work-week, generally between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM, Monday to Friday. Work outside these hours may be required for fieldwork, outreach events, etc. Interns may be eligible for a flexible work schedule, subject to supervisor and division approval. Interns may work up to 1,040 hours in a fiscal year. Most intern positions will terminate at the end of summer; depending on the nature of the work, some positions may be eligible to continue into the school year, subject to supervisor and division approval. Intern Positions Availability Streets Division Planning interns within the Street Division support project community outreach and engagement by attending stakeholder meetings, public meetings, and open houses, tabling at public events like Sunday Streets, soliciting and documenting community feedback through surveys, door-to-door outreach, phone calls, emails, surveys, and more; collecting and analyzing data (may involve fieldwork); assisting with policy development and/or report creation; conducting geospatial analyses and generating maps using ArcGIS; conducting surveys; supporting long-range transportation plans; and preparing presentations and/or project visuals. Responsibilities will vary depending on the team. Planning teams within the Streets Division include: Transportation Planning Livable Streets Curb Management Transit Division The Transit Division performs a wide range of planning functions in support of San Francisco’s transit system. Key areas include short‑ and long‑range service planning, street design improvements to reduce transit delay, program delivery support, transit business administration, and special events planning. Planning interns within the Transit Division assist with service planning and capital planning projects; supporting project community outreach and engagement; analyzing data; developing maps and graphics and performing spatial analysis. Responsibilities will vary depending on the team. Planning teams within the Transit Division include: Business Administration Program Delivery & Support Transit Planning Transit Operations Finance Division Planning interns within the Finance Division support funding applications and advocacy by evaluating funding opportunities, soliciting project proposals from implementing teams across the agency; conducting policy research, data collection and analysis (may involve fieldwork); assisting with policy development and/or report creation; conducting geospatial analyses and generating maps using ArcGIS; and preparing presentations and/or project visuals. Responsibilities will vary depending on the team. Planning teams within Finance include: Funding Strategy and Programs Asset Management Taxis, Access, and Mobility Services (TAMS) Sub Division Planning interns within the TAMS Sub Division evaluate different transit, bike, and pedestrian plans for impacts on accessibility; research and develop best practices related to shared mobility accessibility; assist in development of programs serving seniors and people with disabilities; track data for shuttle, scooter share, and bike share permittees; assist with stop planning for commuter shuttles; and design improved taxi stands and signage. Duties can include building or updating public dashboards, combining data from multiple data sources, writing memos, evaluating impact of program rule changes, conducting surveys and gathering stakeholder input, determining potential impacts to underserved or disadvantaged communities, and improving the range of transportation options available. This Division is also involved in helping standardize or set industry standards on emerging mobility trip and telemetry data, best practices for shared device permittees, and informing legislated changes. Responsibilities will vary depending on the team. Planning teams within the TAMS Sub Division include: Taxis and Mobility Services Accessible Services How to Qualify
Minimum Qualifications Education: At the time of submitting your application, you must be enrolled in an accredited university or a community college pursuing a degree in City Planning, Environmental Policy, Management, Environmental Studies, Geography, Public Administration, Public Policy, Transportation Planning, Transportation Management, Urban Planning, Urban Studies, any engineering degree, or a related field. You must be currently enrolled and continuing in an associate, undergraduate or graduate program or entering/continuing a graduate program in the Fall 2026. Students enrolled in the second‑to‑last or last semester who will soon graduate are also encouraged to apply as you may still be selected for the program within six months of graduation. Experience: No previous experience is necessary for individuals pursuing a master’s degree or higher in a qualifying field. For undergraduate candidates, prior planning or relevant internship experience is required to compete for positions at the 5381 level. Desirable Qualifications Interest in public‑sector careers in transportation, especially public transit, walking, and bicycling. Understanding of how transportation decisions impact marginalized communities, including people of color, low‑income individuals, and people with disabilities. Experience working with marginalized communities. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, including, but not limited to, examples from school, work, community activities, extracurricular activities, team sports and/or volunteering experiences. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Ability to adapt to new situations, changing priorities, or unexpected challenges to meet project goals. Ability to analyze evidence, critically consider options, and draw conclusions from data. Knowledge of transportation planning principles, practices, and techniques demonstrated in classroom or job/internship experience. Applied knowledge of Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and/or other software. What Else Should I Know?
Important Information for Applying – Please Read Carefully: Use the ‘Easy Apply’ feature at the top of the application page to pre‑fill the page. This will also automatically attach your resume to the application. You must attach the following: Proof of your community college, undergraduate or graduate school education (Master’s or PhD program). This can be an official or unofficial transcript, diploma, class schedule, or other document that shows your current enrollment or student status with your school. Submission date for college transcripts may be extended if it is impossible to obtain by January 16, 2026. Applicants must submit a signed statement explaining why transcripts cannot be obtained by the filing date. Extension requests will be granted on a case‑by‑case basis. It is the applicant’s sole responsibility that all application materials and support documentation be received in a complete and legible form. Resume (PDF only, limited to 2 pages). Cover letter (PDF only, limited to 2 pages) that briefly addresses your interest in urban planning, transportation, city government, community engagement, and career goals, and includes examples that show how you meet the desirable qualifications listed on this job ad. Applications without these attachments will be considered incomplete and may not move forward in the hiring process. If you have any questions or need assistance, you may email internships@sfmta.com. The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Depending on the number of applicants, the SFMTA may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of SFMTA will be invited to participate in the oral/performance interview. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
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