Planning and Innovation Program Assistant

The following PART-TIME position posting will be open through Wednesday, October 7, 2026:

PLANNING PROGRAM ASSISTANT – TEMPORARY (3 MONTHS)

Pay Rate: $21.50

HIRING PROCESS

September 23, 2026 to October 7, 2026 - Employment Applications

· Submit an Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority Employment Application Form online, completed in its entirety, by the posted deadline date.

· Apply online at www.theride.org.

· Late and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

After October 7, 2026 - Interviews Will Begin

· Interviews will be granted to selected qualified candidates.

· Qualified candidates selected for an interview will be notified via email.

· Applicants who are not selected for an interview will receive notification they are no longer being considered.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Planning Intern is a temporary, part-time position within the Planning & Innovation Division (P&I), providing hands-on support across a range of functions including data analysis, performance monitoring, planning and communications support, peer reviewing, and artificial intelligence (AI) research.

The role offers a currently enrolled student in transportation/urban/land use planning, GIS/ quantitative data analysis and visualization, communications, or other related field the opportunity to work in support of transit service plans, capital projects, and other programs as part of AAATA’s 2045 Long Range Plan (LRP). The LRP lays out a 20-year shared vision and strategy for public transportation services in the Ann Arbor – Ypsilanti area.  The Planning Intern assists P&I staff on routine project tasks, data analysis, visualization, and documentation, and special projects as assigned by the Team Lead- Service Planning, Team Lead- Data & Scheduling, and Senior Project Manager.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Data Analysis

· Assistance with ridership/GIS/other data collection.

· Verification and cleaning (including video and other methods).

· Basic statistical/GIS/other analyses.

Performance Monitoring

· Assistance in observing on-street operations.

· Documentation and classification of customer service issues,

· Tracking on-time performance, ridership, and other service metrics.

Planning Assistance

· Collaboration in providing analyses in support of short/medium-term service adjustment plans (including route, schedule, and boarding location adjustments in response to customer concerns).

· Collaboration in support of long-term/capital plans and projects (including but not limited to future facilities construction plans, bus rapid transit, and other projects).

Communications Support

· Assistance in preparation of internal and customer-facing communications materials (including maps/schedules, customer-facing online tools, and on-vehicle information systems).

· Support of P&I staff at stakeholder feedback/informational sessions.

Peer Review

· Research of industry best practices.

· Collection of data from agencies with characteristics similar to AAATA.

AI Research

· Research of potential uses of AI tools and practices for planning and data related analyses in support of future development of a divisional and agency-wide set of AI usage policies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or graduate degree in transportation/urban/land use planning, GIS/data science, communications, or other related field.

· Written, and verbal communication proficiency.

· Experience with computer applications in office/productivity/communications, database, GIS, statistical, and/or other related areas.

· Aptitude for researching data analysis, AI techniques, and other industry related practices/information.

· Attention to detail and organizational skills

· Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

· Capacity to work on multiple concurrent tasks with periodic interruptions.

Organizational Principles & Values
Our Principles and Values reflect how we work, interact with one another, and serve our community. We expect all employees to demonstrate these values in their daily work and interactions and look for candidates who share this commitment.

· Respect: Treating one another with dignity

· Compassion: Understanding, sharing in and being sensitive to the situations of others

· Integrity: Having a moral or ethical conviction to always do what is right.

· Teamwork: collaborating for a greater good.

· Safety: keeping yourself and others away from harm

· Excellence: continuously renewing our commitment to perform well beyond set standards and expectations

Reports to:  Team Lead – Service Planning

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

· Frequent periods of sitting and use of hands/fingers

· Occasional periods of standing, walking, reaching, squatting, kneeling, and bending.

· Ability to lift, carry, push and/or pull up to 30 pounds.

Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer