Engineering Assistant I or II - Yoakum District

Texas Department of Transportation; Yoakum (TX); On-site; USD 51,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement Plans

Flexible work schedules

Paid leave and holidays

Health premiums paid

Job summary

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Yoakum District seeks Engineering Assistant I or II to support design, construction inspection, surveying, and traffic operations. Positions are located in Yoakum and Wharton, TX, with potential rotation through the district.

Demonstrated interest in professional engineering, applicable coursework, and a valid driver's license are valued. Opportunities include mentoring, career development, and a broad benefits package in a mission-driven state agency.

Qualifications

• Pursuit of professional engineering licensure/registration through designated training and exams.
• Experience not required for Engineering Assistant I; one year preferred for Engineering Assistant II.

Responsibilities

• Assist in engineering design, drafting, and plan reviews.
• Collect data at project sites and support field/office activities.
• Participate in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program and job rotation.

Skills

Engineering knowledge

FE/ABET readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Job Description - Engineering Assistant I or II - Yoakum District (2602870)

Position Information

TxDOT's Yoakum District is looking for two Engineering Assistant I or II positions. One position will be at the Wharton Area Office located in Wharton, Tx, and one will be at the Yoakum District Office in the Traffic/Operations department, located in Yoakum, Tx.

At TxDOT, we value employee work-life balance. In keeping with our commitment to this value, our employees benefit from a wide array of programs and activities that include an extensive wellness program, career development programs, retirement benefits, tuition assistance, and various other benefits.

Physical Work Location: 11401 US 59 N, Victoria, TX, 77905

Salary Plan/Grade

• Engineering Assistant I: $51,158 - $81,351
• Engineering Assistant II: $54,278 - $87,046

The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of position based on the applicant’s work experience, education, skill level and all other appropriate factors, and based on business needs.

Benefits and Perks

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package.

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov).

Performs engineering work. Work involves job rotation, training and continuing education in design, construction, construction inspection, maintenance, surveying, environmental and/or transportation operations-related activities with the intent to actively pursue engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams. Design activity is supervised by a licensed professional engineer who has authority for final approval of all projects. Work requires contact with local governmental representatives, engineering contractors and private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

NOTE: All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the Engineering Assistant Career Development program. Participation in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program (EACDP) requires that employees sign a Program Agreement, which outlines employee responsibilities and service time commitment.

The essential duties for the Engineering Assistant I include:

• Actively prepares for professional engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams and completion/maintenance of required documentation.
• Applies engineering principles, methods, and techniques to a wide variety of transportation-related activities.
• Assists during emergencies and inclement weather.
• Assists in survey activities.
• Collects engineering data at project sites.
• Participates in Career Development for the Engineering Assistants program which includes job rotation, training, and continuing education.
• Performs engineering-related calculations and drafting/design work.
• Performs engineering-related duties in the field of transportation engineering.
• Prepares and checks plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) and designs.
• Prepares drawings and exhibits to support public involvement.
• Reviews construction plans prepared by consultants.
• Uses automated roadway/structural/hydraulic design programs and computer-assisted design/engineering systems.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Additional duties for Engineering Assistant II include:

• Performs advanced and specialized engineering design work.
• Actively prepares for professional engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams and completion/maintenance of required documentation.
• Assists in survey activities.
• Assists in training less experienced engineering assistants, specialists, and/or technicians.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Note: If you graduate in December 2026 with a Bachelor’s Degree in accordance with the requirements above, you can apply for this position. However, if offered the job, you must provide proof of your degree no later than your start date.

Acceptable Substitutions for All Levels

Master's degree in engineering or a Master of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree, in the same discipline, which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.

Doctoral degree in engineering or a doctor of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree, in the same discipline, which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.

Experience

• Engineering Assistant I: No work experience is required. No supervisory experience required.
• Engineering Assistant II: 1 year of Engineering related experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). No supervisory experience required.

Licenses and Certifications

Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications

• Has passed the FE

The required competencies for the Engineering Assistant I include

• Some knowledge of Transportation engineering terminology and fundamentals
• Applicable plans, specifications and estimates preparation, review, processing, and compliance requirements
• Computer-aided drafting and design systems
• Plan review methods, processes, and procedures
• The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
• Application of engineering fundamentals
• Using engineering workstations and applications of engineering technology
• Reading and interpreting applicable plans, schematics, blueprints, and maps
• Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities
• Performing calculations using algebra, trigonometry, and geometry
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others

Additional competencies for Engineering Assistant II include

• Considerable knowledge of Materials used in highway/bridge construction and maintenance
• Highway construction and maintenance
• Advanced and specialized design/drafting
• Design review
• Performing calculations to include material and labor estimates, expenses, technical survey data and engineering calculations

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.

Subject to hazards-moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals.

Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or other device.

Light work: Life up to 20lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs.

Balancing- walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling.

This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.

Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.

Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation - 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) - does not authorize medical marijuana under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.

All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the EA program. Participation in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program (EACDP) requires that employees sign a Program Agreement, which outlines employee responsibilities and service time commitment. Failure to comply with all terms of the Program Agreement will result in reclassification.

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Type

Standard

Job Level

Non-Management

State Job Titles and Codes

State Job Title/s: Engineering Specialist III, IV State Job Code/s: 2129/2130

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

Click on the appropriate occupational category to view the MOS codes.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.