Civil/Construction Materials Intern

Salary

$19.76 Hourly

Location

Davenport - 52801 - Scott County, IA

Job Type

Internship

Job Number

26-01882

Agency

645 Iowa Department of Transportation

Opening Date

01/21/2026

Closing Date

3/1/2026 11:59 PM Central

LinkedIn Tag

#LI-DNP

Point of Contact

Shane Neuhaus (shane.neuhaus@iowadot.us)

Job Description

We are responsible for a 12-county area in Eastern Iowa where the position will involve travelling to and from a plant or project site.  The position includes hands on training with one or all the following. 

The Iowa DOT District 6 Materials Office is seeking intern students to assist our department with Verification testing and Independent Assurance sampling on state and/or federal transportation projects.  A Civil/Construction Materials Intern will participate in the sampling and testing or the witnessing of sampling and testing of materials used in Iowa DOT transportation project.  With instruction and hands-on training, interns will be involved in many different aspects of transportation construction.  A typical day for an intern can include any of the following: 

1. Travel to district labs to assist with material testing as needed.  Training and certification will be provided for testing and inspection to be conducted by the intern. 
2. Travel to a quarry or mine to collect material samples and observe production practices. 
3. Travel to a precast plant to obtain samples, witness testing, and observe production practices. 
4. Travel to a concrete production plant to collect samples, witness sampling and testing, and observe production practices. 
5. Travel to a construction site to run materials tests, collect samples, and observe construction and testing practices. 

The intern may also have the opportunity to participate in other areas of DOT project planning and oversight, if desired and as schedules permit.  Interns typically participate in tours of our Central Materials testing laboratories Resident Construction Engineer’s Offices, and other locations in the district involved with transportation construction.  Interns are typically involved with construction projects ranging from a few thousand dollars to multi-million-dollar projects.  Interns may be tasked with conducting project materials audits for projects. 

The intern may be asked to complete work outside on construction sites, in office settings, or in manufacturing plants. Good communication of risk tolerance and flexibility in changing conditions is a must.

Duration options:   Summer Intern (40 hours/week), Part Time Fall Semester Intern (up to 20 hours/week

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Completion of at least two years in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, structural, or transportation engineering, or in an engineering management curriculum at an accredited four-year college or university with eligibility for junior status upon return to school.

Additional Qualification Requirements

Interns must possess a valid drivers license, be comfortable driving a DOT pickup truck or car, and be able to lift up to 50 lbs.  We are looking for people who are eager to learn, can receive instruction, and can work as part of a team and independently.