Student Intern - Media Relations

Job Description

Jumpstart your career with a student internship!

The VTA Media Relations and Communications Department is seeking a well-qualified college or graduate student intern. The intern will assist a dynamic, highly productive, and fun-loving team in promoting the good work of Santa Clara Valley's public transportation agency. VTA serves over 20 million riders a year and builds transportation infrastructure that improves mobility in Silicon Valley.

Definition

Under close supervision and in a learning capacity, Student Interns assist in the performance of various professional and technical activities of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA).

Student Interns are college-level students enrolled in curricula pertinent to VTA's needs and are employed for a limited term. Student Interns are typically assigned one or more projects that are research-oriented and involve interaction with several departmental units and/or several VTA Divisions. The activities performed are typically sub-professional or technical duties and are related to the student's field of study.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be inquisitive, possess high emotional intelligence, excellent writing skills, and the ability to interact with diverse groups. The candidate will get hands-on experience writing blog posts, articles for the agency's intranet site, social media posts, communicating with news media outlets, organizing media relations and communications files, assisting staff during news conferences, monitoring news coverage, and other duties as needed.

Additional opportunities may include assisting in internal communications projects including morale-building events and searching for compelling stories to tell about VTA employees and initiatives.

An intern will also gain valuable lessons in working with news organizations in a top ten media market, live and recorded interviews, social media engagement, and disseminating information.

We're looking for someone who wants to work hard and learn a lot!

About the Communication Division-

The Communications Team is responsible for media relations and internal communications. VTA's Public Information Officer, and main spokesperson for VTA, is Stacey Hendler Ross. Media Spokespersons in support of the PIO are Sandra Bermudez and Marina Chakmakjian.

We conduct media briefings and interviews, write press releases, and build strong working relationships with news outlets. Our focus is on sharing our good news in a timely and relevant manner; addressing agency challenges with a high degree of transparency; and making multifaceted projects interesting and understandable to the media and the public. We also focus on internal communications to inform VTA employees of important issues that may affect them and try to build morale with events and recognitions.

About VTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County's authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused, innovative, and environmentally responsible transportation options promoting the region's vitality. VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services and participates as a funding partner in regional rail services, including Caltrain, Capital Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.

To learn more, go to: vta.org.

Our Community

Santa Clara County, sometimes referred to as "Silicon Valley", is unique for its innovation, natural attractions, and social diversity. With numerous amenities and perfect weather, it has long been considered one of the best places in the United States to live and work. calendar of festivals and celebrations supports the community spirit.

Nearby open space provides easy access to mountain parks, trails, lakes, streams, and beautiful coastal beaches. San José has received accolades for its vibrant neighborhoods, healthy lifestyle, and diverse attractions from national media, including Business Week and Money magazines.

The county's population of 1.9 million is the largest in Northern California and is rich in ethnic culture and diversity. Enjoy access and the option to explore our closely neighboring counties of San Francisco and Alameda.

Application Deadline: Posting will close July 12 , 2024 at 11:59pm or when the max number of applicants is reached, whichever happens first.

Essential Job Functions

Typical Tasks

Specific tasks will vary depending on the student's field of study and the area of assignment.

• Collect, correlate, and tabulate data; learn to interpret and evaluate information in accordance with established policies and procedures;

• Research issues relevant to the assigned Division; participate in team analysis of problems;

• Participate in the preparation of reports and preliminary studies;

• Assist in analyzing information and preparing recommendations on systems, equipment, and business processes of VTA.

Minimum Qualifications

Employment Standards

Candidates must be enrolled in college as an undergraduate or graduate student either in the current school term or the school term prior to their internship with VTA, if the internship is to begin during the summer break. The school enrollment must be/have been considered by the school to be full-time.

Supplemental Information

Supplemental Information

All Student Interns must have clear academic standing and continuing enrollment in an appropriate curriculum.Continuation of an internship is at all times contingent upon acceptable performance of the intern and the availability of funds.Internships may start at any time of the year, but are limited to no more than 960 hours in any fiscal year.Student Interns are bound by applicable VTA policies and procedures, particularly those concerning nepotism.

• Student Intern positions are non-benefitted

• Undergraduates are currently paid $19.00/hourly

• Graduate students are currently paid $22.00/hourly

Please read this entire job announcement before applying for the position. Print and keep a copy of this announcement so that you can refer to it. Questions not answered within this job announcement may be sent to personnel@vta.org.

To ensure consideration, completed applications must be submitted online to the Human Resources department by the stated closing time and date posted. When the stated closing date is "continuous," apply immediately; the position may close without notice.

You will receive an immediate email confirming receipt of your submitted application. If you do not receive this email, contact NEOGOV's Applicant Assistance Line at (855) 524-5627 between 8:00AM to 5:00PM (PST) Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Only on-line applications will be accepted for this recruitment (paper applications or resumes will not be accepted). Job Interest Notification Cards, or copies of previous, partial, or un-submitted applications, are not an acceptable substitute to a completed application.

ALL APPLICATION AND TESTING NOTIFICATIONS WILL BE SENT BY E-MAIL.Applicants should select e-mail as the preferred method of notification. Candidates must maintain an up-to-date, valid and reliable e-mail address. Candidates are also responsible for maintaining up-to-date phone numbers and addresses on their

on-line account. Due to the number of applications received, candidates must check their application status through their on-line account. Contact NeoGov for assistance if needed.

Information on how to apply for jobs at the VTA is available on the VTA Employment website and from the NEOGOV's Applicant Assistance Line (855) 524-5627. NeoGov Applicant support is available from 8:00AM to 5:00PM (PST) Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations

The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment/examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If you wish to request an accommodation, call the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email at Personnel@vta.org.

Application Processing Information

All related current and past work experience (including VTA experience) must be listed and fully described in the Work Experience section of the application ("See Resume" is not acceptable). Incomplete or improperly completed online applications may be rejected even if you are qualified for the position for which you are applying. It is your responsibility to ensure that the online application reflects the work experience and education needed to meet the requirements for the position you are applying for. Although your resume may have all your experience and education details, please make sure to complete each section of the online application to ensure that your information is accurately captured during our screening process.

All applications are subject to review as to meeting minimum qualifications at any point in the recruitment process. Passing any step is no guarantee of continuation if it is determined that the applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications as stated in the class specification.

Candidates found to have exaggerated/falsified their qualifications, experience, training, and/or education may be disqualified at any point in the recruitment process and may be denied future employment with the VTA.

If selected for the position, candidates will be required to complete a criminal conviction disclosure form. Candidates who successfully become VTA employees, and fail to disclose any of the criminal background information as required may be subject to discipline up to and including discharge.

Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period.

Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment. If you have questions related to an Eligible List you might be on or were on, you should contact Human Resources.

If you have questions regarding your status as an applicant for this position, please call the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email at Personnel@vta.org.

VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities or religious needs, absent undue hardship.

VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.