Innovation Internship

Job Description:

Innovation Internship

Description

Marketing Statement

Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.

Job Summary

BART is participating in this year’s "Grand Innovation Challenge" - a virtual, international competition hosted by the non-profit Introducing Youth to American Infrastructure (iyai+), where young adult teams from transit agencies in North America compete with ideas on how to make transit better. BART is looking for up to three, forward-thinking young adults, aged 18-25, to join our team. The program is in-person at our Oakland, CA headquarters.

The overarching goal of the competition is for teams to submit an innovative solution that supports public transportation. The 2026 iyai+ theme is "Advancing Safety, Sustainability, and Opportunity."

The solution will build on both the lived and learned experiences of team participants. Teams will compile a report and produce a video and a live presentation about their solution.

In addition to the Innovation Challenge, participants will have access to Career Awareness and Personal Development speakers, programming, facilitators, and resources to increase awareness of transportation and related infrastructure careers.

To learn more about the Innovation Challenge, visit https://iyai.org/innovation-challenge/program-overview/

For questions about this application, please e-mail [email protected].

Pay Rate

Level

Hourly Rate

Undergrad -- Freshmen & Sophomore

$22.50

Undergrad -- Junior and Senior

$25.00

Grad School

$27.50

Reports To

Workforce Development Administrator

Days Off

Saturday and Sunday, except as noted in the schedule below

Who May Apply

• Those who are 18-25 years old as of April 1, 2026.
• Those who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate college program at an accredited college or university, or individuals who were enrolled in college within the past 12 months.
• Those who are able to commit to the following schedule:

Phase Dates Virtual / BART HQ Days & Times Hours Notes Phase 0 - Onboarding May 4-May 7, 2026 BART HQ Mon-Thu, 8:00 AM-2:00 PM (1 hour lunch) 20 hrs/week Mandatory attendance required Phase 1 - Meet BART & Determine Challenge May 11-14, 2026 BART HQ Mon-Thu, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM (1 hour lunch) 20 hrs/week Final schedule will be worked out with intern team Phase 2 - Research & Development May 18-June 4, 2026 BART HQ + Virtual (Jun 4-5) Mon-Thu, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM (1 hour lunch); Jun 4-5 virtual mandatory prep 20 hrs/week Final schedule will be worked out with intern team Phase 3 - Finalization: Abstract + Video June 8- July 2, 2026 BART HQ Mon-Thu, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM (1 hour lunch) 20 hrs/week Final schedule will be worked out with intern team Phase 4 - Event Planning July 6-July 30, 2026 BART HQ Mon-Thu, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM (1 hour lunch) 20 hrs/week Final schedule will be worked out with intern team Phase 5 - Trivia Game & Competition prep July 31, 2026 BART HQ (Trivia will be on Zoom from BART HQ) Friday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM (1 hour lunch) 6 hrs Mandatory attendance required Phase 5 - Weekend Innovation Challenge Day 1 August 1, 2026 BART HQ (But competition will take place live on Zoom from BART HQ) Saturday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM (1 hour lunch) 8 hrs Mandatory attendance required Phase 5 - Weekend Innovation Challenge Day 2 August 2, 2026 BART HQ (But competition will take place live on Zoom from BART HQ) Sunday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM (1 hour lunch) 8 hrs Mandatory attendance required Phase 6 - Post Event August 6, 2026 BART HQ Thursday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM (1 hour lunch) 8 hrs Mandatory attendance required Phase 7 - Internship Closeout August 10-27, 2026 BART HQ Mon-Thu, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM (1 hour lunch) 20 hrs/week Final schedule will be worked out with intern team

Application and Submission Process

All applicants must apply online at www.bart.gov/jobs . Applications must be completed in full and include all requested information.

Applicants may attach a resume to provide supplemental information; however, the resume does not substitute for completing the application form in its entirety. Only information included in the application at the time of submission will be used to determine whether applicants meet the minimum qualifications for the position. All application materials must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received after the closing deadline will not be considered.

Applicants who require assistance with the online application process may contact the Talent Acquisition Division at (510) 464-6112 or [email protected] .

The selection process for this position may include one or more of the following: a panel or individual interview.

All applications will be reviewed by the Talent Acquisition Division to determine whether applicants meet the established Minimum Qualifications (MQs). Applicants who meet the MQs may be referred to the hiring department for further evaluation as part of the selection process.

Pre-employment processing will include a background check.

In addition to completing the application, applicants must also:

• Attach copies of their college transcripts to the application (official or unofficial)
• Attach a headshot photo, should they be selected into the program
• Submit a short, first-person video answering the question, “ How does public transportation impact my life each day? ” The video:
  • Must be no longer than 75 seconds. No part of the video after 75 seconds will be viewed.
  • Must be created without the use of AI or similar aids.
  • Must have the applicant clearly stating their name at the beginning of the video.
  • Must state how public transportation personally impacts their life.
  • Must have the video file be named “Last Name, First Name, BART Innovation Internship Application Video.”

Instructions how to upload the video will be e-mailed to the applicant after their application is received.

Examples of Duties

Assists project team members with various support tasks.

Conducts research, collects and analyzes data, and prepares draft documents for work related to assigned department and project(s).

Maintains records and files related to specific projects.

Assists in the development of graphics, presentation materials and reports.

Assists in analyzing information and preparing recommendations on a variety of matters.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education :
Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate college program at an accreditief college or university, or were enrolled in college within the past 12 months.

Experience :
No experience required.

Substitution :
None.

Other Requirements :
None.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of :

• Basic principles and practices of office work
• Statistical and research methods
• Word processing applications
• Spreadsheet applications

Skill in :

• Applying basic principles and practices of assigned discipline to address issues
• Conducting studies and research
• Writing clear and concise reports
• Working collaboratively with team members
• Learning new information quickly
• Written and verbal communication

Equal Employment Opportunity GroupBox1

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition (cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at [email protected] .

Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain additional veteran's credit in the selection process for this recruitment (effective Jan. 1, 2013). To obtain the credit, veterans must attach to the application a DD214 discharge document or proof of disability and complete/submit the Veteran's Preference Application no later than the closing date of the posting. For more information about this credit please go to the Veteran's Preference Policy and Application link at www.bart.gov/jobs .

This position is not eligible for benefits.

Closing Date/Time: 4/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$41,600.00 - $57,200.00 Annually