Intern-Grant Mgmt & Accounting

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.

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.

Grant Management & Accounting is divided into Grant Administration, Project Implementation, Grant Accounting, and Corporate Quality Assurance. Grant Administration includes Grant Reimbursement which oversees drawdown for reimbursement of expenditures funded by various funding agencies, coordinates capital project close-out reconciliation process, ensures timely updates of capital project budgets, prepares and submits financial reports to funding agencies.

Reporting to the department of Grant Management and Accounting, the intern will:

1. Reconcile capital asset data between three databases and review project asset associations.
2. Reconcile capital projects that are in the process to be closed.
3. Reconcile discrepancies related to capital project budgets.
4. Assist with monthly grantor receivable reconciliations.
5. Assist with other duties as assigned.

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 applicants include Accounting, Computer Science, Engineering, or related majors. Preferred skills include proficiency in Excel, attention to detail, organizational ability, verbal and written communication.

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.