Engineering Student Assistant - Junior Engineering Technician/ Field Work - Hybrid (Oakland, CA)

University-Enterprises-In; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Caltrans manages surveying work through UEI for student assistants. The role is entry-level within a field survey crew, offering learning opportunities under supervision, with a flexible 8 AM–5 PM window, 24 hours/week in term time, and up to 40 hours/week during breaks. Compensation ranges hourly and requires enrollment in college with a focus on civil/geomatics disciplines.

The position emphasizes safety, data accuracy, and teamwork across field and office settings in California.

Qualifications

• Must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.
• Must enroll as a college student during the regular term.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to work as part of a survey crew to complete projects safely and efficiently.
• Willingness to learn how to inspect vehicles before use.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods and perform physically demanding tasks.
• Ability to read and understand basic survey measurements.
• Willingness to learn safe operation of assigned tools and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Party Chief and survey crew to ensure data collection, note keeping, and field sketches.
• Utilize survey equipment to set points, measure distances and establish elevations.
• Mark survey stakes and construct staking diagrams as directed.
• Perform monument investigation and routine survey instrument work.
• Prepare graphs, basic charts, and preliminary drawings from field data.
• Assist in preparing maps, reports, and survey documents for project delivery.

Skills

Reading basic survey measurements

Verbal and written instructions

Teamwork

Outdoor work

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Survey rod

Chain

Survey equipment

Job description

• Location Oakland, CA, 94601,United States
• Base Pay $18.28 - $28.16 / Hour
• Job Category Part-time, Off-campus, Caltrans
• Employee Type Student Assistant
• Required Degree High school
• Manage Others No

Description

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is seeking to hire a student assistant, in a learning capacity, to work under the close supervision of a Supervisor in the Office of Land Surveys and the direct supervision of a Transportation Surveyor Party Chief (Caltrans) or lead worker. The Student Assistant, in a learning capacity, will function as an entry-level member of a field survey crew. The Student Assistant will also learn and perform routine, sub-professional survey-related duties in a field or office setting and develop an understanding of the fundamentals of land surveying and related workflows.

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 followingURLinto 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, Surveying Engineering, Geomatics Engineering, Geospatial Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or closely related engineering fields.

Work Schedule

F lexible workdays and work hours, Monday – Friday, between 8 AM – 5 PM. Final work schedule will be determined by the supervisor.

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 maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0GPA.
• Must complete each term with minimum unit requirements for Undergraduate and Graduate student classifications. Proof will be collected at the end of each Spring and Fall term.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to work as part of a survey crew to complete projects safely and efficiently.
• Willingness to learn how to inspect vehicles before use.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods and perform physically demanding tasks.
• Ability to read and understand basic survey measurements.
• Willingness to learn safe operation of assigned tools and equipment.
• Ability to learn new skills and take on more challenging duties as experience increases.

Preferred Qualifications

• Under the amendment to Government Code Section 18220, state agencies shall give preference to a qualified applicant (up to 26 years of age) who is, or has been, a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth, a formerly incarcerated youth, or a victim of human trafficking.

Duties and Responsibilities

• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will work closely with the Party Chief and survey crew to ensure complete and accurate data collection, note keeping, and field sketches.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will utilize a survey rod, chain and other survey equipment to set points, measure distances and establish elevation points; holds and sets targets and back sights for line and grade; cuts and clears brush, debris and other materials as directed to improve lines of sight and/or facilitate other survey activities.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will mark survey stakes and lath with field information as directed, places a variety of construction stakes based on pre-determined survey calculations.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will perform monument investigation and recovery and routine survey instrument work; including setting points, measure distance & establish elevation points. Set out traffic signs and warning devices. Performs traffic watches.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will perform basic land survey calculations including conversion of units of measurements, and other calculations using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, percentages, algebra and geometry.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will collect, compile & input data and also construct and prepare graphs, basic charts, preliminary drawings or tracings; project quantity plan sheets, prepare quantity graphs & charts.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will assist in preparing maps, reports, and other survey documents; prepares and/or checks survey and construction notes. Documents and maintains monument control sketches, survey land net schemes, corner records & construction staking diagrams and other construction-related drawings & document files.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will compile information using various computer software programs. Tabulates and plots field data. Prepares and checks survey & construction notes. Operate e-mail systems, 2-way radios & other methods of communication..
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will attend and participate in all formal & informal, including "on-the-job," training as required.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will assist in cleaning, maintaining, calibration and inventorying equipment & materiel including surveying, hand/power tools and vehicles. Assist in determining equipment maintenance & replacement needs.
• Performs pre-op inspections of vehicles.
• Other ancillary field and/or office duties as directed to enhance project delivery. and other assignments as necessary

Physical Requirements

Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; 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, and scanners with or without reasonable accommodation.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a hybrid environment and field work.

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.

Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions, including heat, cold, and uneven terrain. May require occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, or climbing as part of field duties.

Apply by: November 20, 2026

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)