Intern-Corp Quality Assurance

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Corporate Quality Assurance (QA) provides independent quality assurance oversight at Metra for all internal departments and third-party consultants/contractors associated with work on capital projects (design, construction, rolling stock). It provides for the implementation of the Federal Transit Administration's Quality Management System Guidelines in capital projects to ensure that the capital program is accomplished in a manner that provides for continued satisfactory performance during the useful life of the railroad system.

The Metra Internship Program provides an opportunity for college sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students to gain practical experience through on-the-job learning. Metra assigns students to projects related to their academic/educational field of study, which complements classroom instruction. The knowledge gained contributes to career development, while the experience provides insight on the wide variety of jobs in the transportation industry.

DUTIES: Under the direction of Metra staff, the Intern will provide assistance to the Corporate QA program in the performance of audits and reviews of capital projects (design, construction, rolling stock). Duties include assistance with QA audit data management and trend analysis; reconciling electronic and hard copy QA records from various management systems as well as organizing accurate and reliable filing systems for electronic and hard copy documents for the Corporate QA program; assistance with development of Corporate QA database functions; and perform quality assurance document control functions for capital projects QA audits. Perform other duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the Corporate QA Program.

The length of the program is up to one year with three (3) mandatory one-week break periods during the school year: May, September and December.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

The Intern must be currently enrolled as a sophomore, junior, or senior in an undergraduate program or in a graduate program from an accredited institution. Preferred areas of study are Engineering, Information Technology, or related technical field. These will be considered before other fields.

Preferred Knowledge/Skills:

• Detail-oriented, with the ability to organize data and create simple visual reports (such as charts or tables) to help review results and identify trends.
• Ability to interpret complex written materials and skilled in organizing, sorting, cleaning data, and supporting team members in preparing documents for upcoming quality audits.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Access is strongly preferred.

Must be 18 years or older; able to legally work in the United States; a student in good standing for each semester/quarter during their internship; and available to work between 12 and 20 hours per week for up to one year (optional: 40 hours per week during summer months).

Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Metra is unable to sponsor visas (e.g., H-1B or TN status) at this time.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees' use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to RAC@Metrarr.com.

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.