Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Intern - Summer 2026

This is a paid internship, range of $22/hr - $39/hr (depending on role and qualifications) for those currently pursuing undergraduate degrees and higher rates for those currently pursuing graduate level degrees. 

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including: 

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner. 


• Employee Assistance Program. 


• Paid Time Off: An accrual of up to 4 hours per pay period. Up to 2 floating holidays. 


• Full-time interns will receive an ORCA card at no cost. This card can be used on buses, trains, water taxis in the Puget Sound region, along with the Monorail and Seattle Streetcar. 


• In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues. 

Tentative 2026 Internship Dates:

• Semester students: May 18th to July 24th    


• Quarter students:  June 15th to August 21st

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Sound Transit’s Civil Rights, Equity and Inclusion (CREI) department oversees the work that build toward an equitable system throughout the Puget Sound region – Link, Sounder, ST Express, and Tacoma Link. It is our mission to advance civil rights, equity & inclusion for our employees, passengers, and the community.  The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion intern will have an opportunity to be a part of the team that ensures businesses building our regional transit system represent the communities we serve, grows and sustains our diverse workforce, fosters an inclusive culture, builds organizational capacity; and ensures equal employment opportunity and equal access to our programs, services, and regional transit systems.  

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

JOB DUTIES:

• Assist with the research, design, and development of equity dashboards and measurement frameworks.


• Support agency-wide DEI reporting efforts.


• Collaborate on cross-jurisdictional projects to apply equity tools.

POTENTIAL PROJECTS:

• Annual DEI Divisional Report.


• Participation in a joint effort with the City of Seattle, using the city's Racial Equity Toolkit to apply to the Graham Street Infill station. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants must be a current college student in good academic standing, enrolled in an accredited associate, bachelor's or graduate degree program in Ethnic Studies, LGBTQ+, Gender Studies, Sociology, Human Resources, or other non-technical discipline or relevant two-year certificate in DEI or People and Culture Related work.          

ADDITIONAL SKILLS:

• Understanding of core anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion language, principles, and foundation


• Project and program management skills


• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills


• An eye for narrative and storytelling in inclusive analytics


• Ability to work across different functions, internally and externally, and build relationships and trust

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Intellectually curious, analytical, and passionate about social justice, public service, and systems-level changes.


• Focused on how equity, policy, data and infrastructure intersect in coursework or applied focus areas.


• Foundational knowledge of how inclusive decision-making can shape both organizational culture and community outcome

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed in a standard office environment.


• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.