Construction Intern

The role: 

Are you a college student looking for a hands-on opportunity in construction this summer? Join our Portland team as an intern and get real-world experience in construction contract administration while helping serve the people of Oregon. You’ll work alongside our construction inspection team and learn about things like traffic control, measuring materials, reading plans and testing materials. You’ll also develop important skills like attention to detail, communication, time management and problem-solving. This internship will give you a chance to see different areas of engineering in action, including work on grading, drainage, paving, signs, lighting and more. Check out this timelapse of one of our completed projects to get an idea of the exciting work you’ll be a part of!

This job posting is for temporary positions and does not include the typical benefits available for permanent employees. Temporary employees may be eligible for employee health benefits offered through the Public Employees Benefit Board (PEBB) as outlined in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our positions. We hope you’ll join us on our path to increasing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging through our values, commitments, strategies and actions.

Before applying, visit our applicant information website to learn more about our process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, you must apply through your employee Workday profile.

What you will learn:

Work as part of a construction inspection team they will gain knowledge of construction, staging, traffic control, quantity measurement and payment, plan reading, and insight into materials testing requirements; attention to detail, communication, time management, organization, problem solving and professionalism.

Learn about grading, drainage, structures, paving, curb ramps, signing, illumination, signals and roadside development.

Gain exposure to many different engineering disciplines.

Work Environment:

The working conditions for this position include, but are not limited to, tight time schedules; simultaneous projects containing similar or identical deadlines; working with contractors; long hours; flexible hours; being on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays; and working with contractors and the public.

Work outdoors, in all weather conditions, 50% or more of the time – field work involves working around construction equipment and traffic hazards, and walking on various types of terrain, climbing ladders, traversing scaffolding and working in elevated locations.

Construction site conditions, including but not limited to, dust, noise and safety hazards.

Project site and travel are subject to adverse weather conditions including, but not limited to, heat, cold, storms, snow, ice, rain, wind and fog.

Lift and carry material or equipment that weighs up to 50 pounds.

Access to construction and survey sites includes traversing terrain that may be any combination of rough, uneven, rocky, muddy, icy, heavily vegetated or sloping. Access includes climbing ladders, traversing scaffolding, and work in elevated locations while wearing the appropriate safety equipment.

This position will be in office and in the field, which may include night work.

Minimum qualifications:

We are accepting applications from freshman, sophomore, senior and first year graduate students in Civil Engineering and Survey disciplines.

Special qualifications:

Driving is an essential function of this position. You must have a valid driver license and an acceptable driving record. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate(s). Your license does not have to be issued in Oregon to be considered.

What we’d like to see:

If you have these attributes, let us know in your application materials! It's how we will choose whom to move forward! You do not need to have all these qualities to be eligible for this position. We may also use transferable skills, experience, education and alignment with ODOT values to help us decide who will move forward.

Coursework or degree in civil engineering or survey engineering.

Experience or training with survey equipment or measurement devices.

Can work independently and as part of a team.

Time management skills with high attention to detail.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.