Metro Transit: Internships and Career Opportunities
Metro Transit offers a variety of rewarding career paths with outstanding benefits. Valuing its employees and prioritizing community service, Metro Transit provides ample opportunities for advancement and a chance to make a real difference in the region. Whether you're a student seeking an internship or a professional looking for a new career, Metro Transit has something to offer.
Why Choose Metro Transit?
Working at Metro Transit provides a unique sense of purpose. Employees are driven by a desire to serve the community and contribute to the region's success. The organization fosters a supportive environment where individuals feel valued and cared for. As one employee noted, "METRO is a wonderful place to work where you feel like you're making a difference in the city." Another shared, "Working at METRO has been an incredible journey. Every day, I'm amazed by how the work we do here keeps Houston moving."
Applying for a Position
The application process is straightforward. Begin by reviewing the job announcement and clicking the "Apply" link. You'll need to create an account or log in to your existing one, then follow the steps to complete each section of the application. Ensure all information is accurate before certifying and submitting your application. To expedite the application review process, it's recommended to apply online before attending any job fairs or open houses.
Career Paths at Metro Transit
Metro Transit employs a diverse workforce across various departments. These can be broadly categorized into Field Personnel and Administrative Staff.
Field Personnel
More than 2,500 individuals work in field positions, primarily union roles based at METRO operating facilities throughout the Houston region. Union employees receive weekly pay and have opportunities for advancement.
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Bus Operators
Bus Operators are essential to Metro Transit's operations, requiring a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to operate large buses.
Service Drivers
Service drivers operate smaller vehicles, which do not require a Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
Rail Operations
Metro operates three light rail lines in and around downtown Houston. The Rail Operations team maintains quality control for light rail services, employing people across all experience levels.
Administrative Staff
Over 1,500 people work in administrative roles, which are non-union positions located in the Houston area, mostly at the downtown corporate offices at 1900 Main St. Non-union employees are paid every two weeks.
Bus Operations
The Bus Operations team ensures optimal service to communities by focusing on quality control. They employ individuals with varying experience levels in areas like service planning and scheduling.
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Communications
The Communications department functions as an in-house agency, managing traditional and digital marketing, media relations, community engagement, market research, and communication services. They distribute information about METRO services and initiatives to customers, the community, media outlets, and METRO employees.
Customer Service
The Customer Service team provides quick, timely, and informative responses to questions and comments from the public.
Finance
The Finance department provides management oversight and control of all financial functions within METRO.
Fleet Services
The Fleet Services team ensures that all parts and technology on METRO vehicles are maintained in good repair, employing people across all experience levels, overseeing everything from body repair to intelligent transportation systems.
Human Resources
The Human Resources Department provides direction and guidance to all departments on hiring, benefits, wellness, employee training, legal compliance, and more.
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Information Technology (IT)
METRO IT supports all departments within METRO, in addition to public-facing software and applications.
Legal
The METRO Legal department provides legal advice to all departments and the Board of Directors on compliance with various federal, state, and local laws. It also represents the agency in litigation.
METRO Police Department (MPD)
The METRO Police Department (MPD) employs people across all experience levels, including data analysts, project coordinators, METRO Fare Inspectors, and METRO Police Officers. Officers are community-minded, passionate about helping others, and interact well with a diverse population.
Operations Management
The Operations Management team provides support for the execution of the Authority's daily transit operations, employing people across all experience levels, overseeing budget analysis, business administration, and more.
Planning, Engineering, and Construction
The Planning, Engineering, and Construction department oversees the development of long-range capital plans, including new transit services and construction of new facilities such as parking garages and transit centers. They partner to advance coordinated planning efforts for the region's infrastructure and development projects.
Procurement/Materials Management and the Office of Economic Business Opportunity
This department provides management oversight and control of all timely acquisition, distribution, and small business functions within METRO.
Rail Operations
The Rail Operations team maintains quality control for light rail services, employing people across all experience levels.
Safety
The Safety department supports various administrative areas to help keep the system safe, prioritizing safety as the number one goal.
Rideshare Services
METRO operates two rideshare services: METROLift (paratransit) and METRO curb2curb, both of which allow customers to book rides in advance. A team of people across all experience levels oversees the day-to-day operations of these services.
Vanpool and Corporate RideSponsor Account Services
METRO employs professionals to manage vanpool and corporate RideSponsor account services.
Benefits of Working at Metro Transit
Metro Transit offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including coverage for medical, prescription drugs, dental, vision, and retirement.
Benefits for Union Employees
For union employees, the benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and AD&D, short-term disability, and wellness incentives. Employees can select medical only, dental only, or vision only, with changes allowed during Annual Enrollment or after a Qualifying Event (e.g., birth, adoption, marriage, divorce).
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Full-time union employees accrue Paid Time Off (PTO) based on tenure, with five days granted after six months of continuous service.
Holidays
METRO observes nine designated holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Union employees who work on recognized holidays earn eight hours of holiday pay at their regular rate, plus pay for actual hours worked on the holiday at 1.5 times their regular rate of pay.
Retirement Plans
METRO offers both a 457(b) deferred compensation plan and a 401(a) defined contribution plan, administered by Empower Retirement, for newly hired, full-time union and non-union employees. METRO automatically contributes 4% of your annual salary to your 401(a). Additionally, if you choose to contribute to your 457(b) plan, METRO will match your contribution up to 4% and deposit it into your 401(a).
Tuition Reimbursement
All regular, full-time union and non-union employees are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in tuition reimbursement per calendar year for attending an accredited school. Eligibility requires meeting specific requirements related to the degree or certification.
Transit Pass
All METRO employees receive a transit pass for themselves and a spouse (if applicable).
Metro College Intern Program
The Metro College Intern Program cultivates future talent through paid internships, providing students with meaningful work experience and professional development opportunities while familiarizing them with the transit industry and Metro's operational environment.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Metro College Intern Program, students must:
- Major in coursework aligned with the academic and functional requirements of the position.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA.
- Be a rising sophomore at minimum.
- Be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship, including student visas.
- Additional departmental or functional requirements may apply per internship.
Students must submit an official college transcript to verify eligibility. College credit can be received for the internship.
Transportation Career Academy Program (TCAP)
Metro’s Transportation Career Academy Program (TCAP) offers high school juniors and seniors across Los Angeles County the chance to explore careers in transportation. This seven-week paid internship includes virtual and in-person sessions, where students work in teams on simulated real-world projects inspired by department project sponsors on issues confronting Metro every day. Projects focus on urban planning, sustainability, engineering, customer service, ridership, and real estate.
TCAP provides students with practical skills, resume building workshops, and mentorship opportunities. The program encourages young women interested in engineering to pursue their passions. Applications for the next TCAP class open in February 2026.
Additional Opportunities
Community Service Officer (CSO) with MTPD
The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) assists individuals with no law enforcement experience or degree to become a Community Service Officer (CSO). CSOs provide varied support services to the department by performing duties that do not require a licensed peace officer. Interested and eligible individuals will complete a multi-year progressive and competitive apprenticeship.
Revenue Equipment Technician Program
The Revenue Equipment Technician Program assists individuals with no prior experience or technical degree to become a Revenue Equipment Technician at Metro Transit.
Tips for Job Fairs and Career Events
To make the most of your time at job fairs and career events:
- Dress professionally.
- Bring a copy of your resume.
- Be prepared to speak and possibly interview with someone on that day.
- Bring two forms of ID (Driver’s License, Social Security Card, Passport, etc.).
- Let them know how you were referred.
- Apply before attending the event.
Equal Opportunity Employer
METRO believes good people make a difference and offers equal opportunities for everyone to succeed. CapMetro is an equal employment opportunity employer and committed to creating a welcoming environment for all employees. CapMetro prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, pregnancy, age, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
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