AI Innovation Assistant

New Jersey Department of Transportation; Ewing Township (NJ); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Built-in peer support system

Flexible scheduling

Direct exposure to division leadership

Hands-on portfolio building

Job summary

The New Jersey Department of Transportation seeks forward-thinking, collaborative college students to join as Part-Time AI Innovation Assistants. You will be paired with another student and embedded within a DOT division to analyze workflows, identify AI opportunities, and help staff implement smart solutions to improve efficiency and public service.

Responsibilities include division-specific embedded support, collaborative AI opportunity identification, research and presentation of

Qualifications

• Enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program.
• Majors in Computer Science, Data Science, IT, Engineering or Public Policy preferred.

Responsibilities

• Division-specific embedded support with your partner.
• Brainstorm and propose AI use cases tailored to the division needs.
• Research and present data-driven recommendations to division leadership.
• Assist staff in piloting new AI tools and gather feedback.
• Co-create simple guides to help non-technical staff adopt these tools.
• Meet with AI interns from other divisions to align AI strategy.

Skills

Collaboration

AI trends

Communication

Adaptability

Education

Undergraduate or Graduate student enrollment

Tools

AI tools

Job description

The Department of Transportation is seeking forward - thinking, collaborative college students to join our team as Part - Time AI Innovation Assistants. In this role, you will be paired with another student and embedded directly within a specific DOT division (e.g., Engineering, Transit Operations, Traffic Management, or Administration). Together as a dynamic pair, your mission will be to analyze your assigned division's unique workflows, identify opportunities to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI), and help staff implement smart solutions to improve efficiency and public service. If you enjoy teamwork, problem - solving, and want hands - on experience driving technology adoption in public infrastructure, this role offers a unique opportunity to build your portfolio alongside a peer collaborator.

Responsibilities

• Division - Specific Embedded Support - Work alongside your assigned student partner to deeply understand the day - to - day operations, tools, and challenges of your designated DOT division.
• Collaborative AI Opportunity Identification- Brainstorm and propose specific AI, machine learning, or automation use cases tailored to your division's needs (e.g., predictive maintenance for transit, traffic flow optimization, or automated document processing).
• Research and Presentation - Partner together to research emerging AI tools and present collaborative, data - driven recommendations to division leadership.
• Staff Integration and Training - Assist division employees in piloting new AI tools, gathering user feedback, and co - creating simple guides to help non - technical staff adopt these technologies.
• Team - Based Project Delivery - Meet regularly with AI interns from other divisions to share insights, cross - reference data, and ensure a cohesive AI strategy across the entire DOT.

Qualifications

• Enrolment: Currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program. Majors in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Business, or Public Policy are preferred, but all enthusiastic students are encouraged to apply.

Required Skills

• Strong Collaboration Skills: Proved ability to work effectively in a team or partner environment; shared problem - solving and accountability are critical to this role.
• Technical Familiarity: A solid understanding of current AI trends and tools (e.g., generative AI, data analysis tools, basic automation workflows).
• Communication Skils: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for division staff.
• Adaptability: Ready to dive deep into a specific operational area of government and learn its unique language and goals.

Program Highlights

• Built - in peer support system through a designated student partnership.
• Flexible scheduling that prioritizes your academic commitments.
• Direct exposure to division leadership and modern infrastructure challenges.
• Hands - on portfolio building in an in - demand professional field (AI integration).

Please note that this position is an hourly temporary role and does not offer a benefits package.