Civil Engineer Trainee

Commonwealth-of-Pennsylvania; Montoursville (Lycoming County); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation invites you to join a Civil Engineer Trainee program designed to build foundational skills in design, construction, maintenance, and safety. The twelve-month training path includes on-the-job learning and classroom instruction to prepare you for a permanent district role.

The program emphasizes rotations, field exposure, and project support, culminating in placement aligned with departmental needs and individual development goals.

Qualifications

• One year of civil engineering experience or related internship.
• A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or closely related field.
• Able to obtain Engineer-in-Training certificate within nine months of graduation.

Responsibilities

• Participate in rotational training across engineering districts to learn procedures and workflows.
• Attend classroom instruction to expand technical knowledge and job readiness.
• Receive tasks with oversight to ensure accuracy and proper methods.
• Support work projects contributing to training objectives.
• Prepare for final placement based on departmental needs.

Skills

Civil engineering experience

Engineer-in-Training certificate

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

Job description

Are you looking to jump-start your civil engineering career? Join the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as a Civil Engineer Trainee! This twelve-month training program is designed to develop the engineering skills, abilities, and knowledge required of a PennDOT Civil Engineer.

Through on-the-job learning activities, you will gain exposure to engineering areas of design, construction, maintenance, and highway safety and traffic, which will prepare you to advance into a permanent position within the district.

This is more than just a job; it's the start of a rewarding career in civil engineering!

This position supports the development of skills in highway and bridge design, construction, and maintenance, along with related support activities.

As a Civil Engineer Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Rotational Training: Participate in scheduled assignments across engineering districts to learn procedures and workflows
• Classroom Instruction: Attend designated training to expand technical knowledge and job readiness
• Work Screening: Receive closely reviewed tasks that ensure accuracy, proper methods, and clear understanding
• Project Assistance: Support work projects that contribute to overall training objectives
• Program Completion: Prepare for final placement based on departmental needs and individual development

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment.
• Work hours are 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
  • Work hours may vary throughout training program.
• Multiple positions available.
• Work is performed in an engineering office setting and at field construction sites. Work occasionally involves field trips to project sites under design. Field inspection/visits may require traversing rough terrain and climbing bridges. Outdoor work can occur during any season of the year under a wide range of weather conditions.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, during certain phases of the training programs. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Montoursville. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary:Most selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $67,658.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of civil engineering experience and a valid Engineer-in-Training certificate issued by or acceptable to the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists;
• A bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field that includes or is supplemented by major coursework in civil engineering.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within nine months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Conditions of Employment:

• This position also requires possession of a valid driver's license which is not under suspension.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.