Engineering Student Assistant - Environmental Analysis - Hybrid

University Enterprises Inc; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

University Enterprises, Inc. seeks a part-time student assistant to support Caltrans Hazardous Waste, Air, Noise & Paleontology projects. You will assist with GIS data updates, NSSP archiving, and status reporting under supervision, gaining hands-on experience in a government environment.

The role requires a college student, GPA 2.0+, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. Work hours are limited to a part-time schedule with on-site duties in California.

Qualifications

• Must be a college student attending classes during the regular term.
• GPA minimum 2.0; transcripts required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Outlook, Word.
• Strong attention to detail and reliability; good organizational and communication skills.
• Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat Professional.
• Ability to operate office equipment.

Responsibilities

• Update and maintain Caltrans GIS data and correct HazMins/Paleo GIS errors.
• Archive HWANP NSSPs and prepare status reports for the Office Chief.
• Conduct field verifications for HazMins and Paleo projects; site visits and XRF testing.
• Assist with PEAR evaluations for projects in specified phases.
• Create and maintain flowcharts, tables, spreadsheets, reports, and website content.
• Attend HWANP staff meetings as needed.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Punctual attendance

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Analytical ability

Adobe Acrobat

Office equipment operation

Education

College student enrollment

Civil Engineering major

Job description

• Base Pay $18.28 - $28.16 / Hour
• Job Category Part-time, Off-campus, Caltrans
• Employee Type Student Assistant
• Required Degree NONE
• Manage Others No

Description

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is seeking to hire a motivated student assistant, in a learning capacity, to work under the close supervision of the Chief and Staff of the Hazardous Waste, Air, Noise & Paleontology Office. The student assistant will help with research projects related to air quality, noise, hazardous waste, and paleontology. Other duties may include organizing and archiving Nonstandard Special Provisions (NSSPs), assisting with training, maintaining files, and completing general office tasks. This position provides an opportunity to gain hands‑on work experience, learn new skills, and become familiar with Caltrans programs and projects.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

This is a part-time, temporary, non-benefited, student position. Employment in all positions with University Enterprises, Inc. is dependent upon the mutual consent of University Enterprises, Inc. and the employee. This means that either University Enterprises, Inc. or the employee can, at any time, terminate the employment relationship at will, with or without cause. Depending on the type of position you are applying for, a pre‑employment background check consisting of one or more of the following may be conducted: employment history, professional references, criminal check: educational verification (degree, license, or official transcript) or DMV clearance. Applicants will be required to pass required pre‑employment checks to the satisfaction of University Enterprises, Inc. (UEI) and the hiring Agency or Department. UEI does not allow students to hold more than one UEI Job at a time, or work in more than one account per pay period. UEI employees who are considering leaving their current UEI student assistant position for a different UEI student assistant position should inform their supervisor in writing and provide at least a week’s notice.

UEI is not a multi-state employer. UEI only employs candidates who live and work in the state of California. If selected for the position you must reside in California and all work must be performed in the state of California throughout the course of employment.

Prerequisites

Must be a college student attending classes during the regular term (fall, spring, and winter, if applicable), at one of the accredited colleges or universities on our affiliation list.

To view our current affiliation list please paste the following URL into your browser: http://www.calinterns.org/wp-content/uploads/Affiliation_List.pdf

Students must be enrolled in at least six-semester units or nine quarter units for undergraduate students; four-semester units or six quarter units for graduate students.

Students declared major must match the major(s) listed in the job posting.

Majors/Fields of Study

Civil Engineering.

Work Schedule

Monday to Friday, between 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Additional Work Schedule

Student Assistant and Graduate Assistant employees generally work up to 24 hours per workweek (Sunday – Saturday) during the academic year and up to 40 hours per workweek during breaks; (winter, spring, and summer).

Compensation

$18.28 – $28.16 per hour.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Official transcripts of all prior college coursework must be provided prior to employment. Only the most qualified applicants will be interviewed.
• Must maintain punctual and reliable attendance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Strong attention to detail and reliability.
• Good organizational and communication skills.
• Strong deductive reasoning and analytical abilities.
• Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat Professional.
• Ability to operate various office equipment, such as PCs, copiers, document scanners, mailing machines, and printers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with database software and accurate, reliable data entry.
• Ability to create clear and easy-to-understand charts and graphs.
• Ability to learn and understand new workflow processes.
• Willingness to learn new software.

Duties and Responsibilities

• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will assist with updating and maintaining Caltrans Statewide Geographical Information Systems (GIS) data, including correcting HazMins Mapping and Paleontology (Paleo) GIS errors and managing other Hazardous Waste, Air, Noise, and Paleontology Nonstandard (HWANP) GIS data.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will assist with archiving HWANP Nonstandard Special Provisions (NSSPs) and preparing status reports for the Office Chief.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will conduct field verifications for HazMins and Paleo projects, including site visits to local districts (3, 4, and 10) and performing X‑ray fluorescence (XRF) testing in the field and laboratory.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will assist with Preliminary Environmental Analysis Report (PEAR) evaluations for projects in the 0 and K phases.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will create and maintain flowcharts, tables, spreadsheets, reports, website content, and other written documents.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will attend HWANP staff meetings and other meetings as needed.

Physical Requirements

Sit for extended periods using a keyboard and video display terminal; manual dexterity and hand‑eye coordination; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment including computer workstations, telephones, calculators, copiers, printers, scanners, and fax machines, with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office environment. Telework may be available based on work needs and at the supervisor's discretion.

Students/Employees will be required to work according to the current UEI remote workplace policy and sign a UEI Work from Home Agreement. The decision to permit an employee to work from home is at the discretion of the supervisor or employer and may, at any time and with or without cause, unilaterally terminate the option to work from home.

Summary

Caltrans manages more than 50,000 miles of California’s highway and freeway lanes, provides inter‑city rail services, permits more than 400 public‑use airports and special‑use hospital heliports, and works with local agencies. Caltrans carries out its mission of providing a safe, sustainable, integrated, and efficient transportation system to enhance California’s economy and livability, with six primary programs: Aeronautics, Highway Transportation, Mass Transportation, Transportation Planning, Administration, and the Equipment Service Center.

• Agency/Department Transportation, Dept of (Caltrans)