About the Department
Jumpstart your career with VTA’s Marketing team!
The Market Development Department leads the creation of award-winning marketing campaigns and communications programs that promote VTA’s services across Santa Clara County and beyond. As a Student Intern, you will gain hands-on experience supporting campaigns that increase ridership, enhance public awareness, and strengthen VTA’s brand through both traditional and digital media channels.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to real-world projects that shape how communities connect to transit—including high-visibility, large-scale initiatives such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup. You will collaborate with a dynamic team, support outreach efforts, and help deliver creative, engaging messaging to diverse audiences.
If you are passionate about marketing, communications, and public service, this internship offers meaningful experience to help launch your career.
About the Marketing DepartmentThe Market Development Department creates award-winning marketing campaigns and communications programs that highlight VTA. We find creative ways to promote VTA fares and services to a region-wide audience and use traditional and new media to deliver pertinent and timely messages to the public with the goal of increasing ridership and fare revenues. In addition, we develop partnerships with local, regional, national, and international organizations that amplify our brand to a wider audience.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 CandidateThe ideal candidate is a proactive and detail-oriented student with an interest in business development and marketing. They can think creatively, communicate clearly, and support projects in a fast-paced environment. A passion for public transportation is a plus!
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 transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.
VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.
As the county’s congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.
VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.
As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.
For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward
Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)
The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.
Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.
Position Duties
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.
Other Qualifications
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
General Application Instructions Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference. To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as “continuous,” we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation. Personalized responses to Supplemental Questions that connect your past experiences to this specific role are the most effective. AI-generated content may lack the specificity required to address the key criteria outlined in the job description. While we encourage the use of AI as a tool to enhance your work, we want to evaluate your non-AI-assisted communication skills. You may use AI to generate ideas, but please ensure your final responses are in your own voice and reflect your unique experience. Overreliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish your chances of success. Important: Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications, resumes, Job Interest Notification Cards, or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application. Communication & Contact Information All updates regarding your application—including notices for testing and interviews—will be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid, up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles. Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support, contact NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays. Application Review & Processing All current and prior relevant work experience—including experience with VTA—must be fully detailed in the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as “see resume” are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected, even if you meet the minimum qualifications. While you are welcome to upload a resume, it does not substitute for completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position. Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications. Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications, experience, education, or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA. Tentative Examinations: Oral Panel: Third week of MayConditions of Employment Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, and a criminal history review before appointment. Eligibility List The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur. 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. Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email Personnel@vta.orgat least five business days before the test. Equal Employment Opportunity 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.