Engineering Student Assistant- Technician/Field Work (Los Angeles, CA)

Theuniversityunion; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is seeking a Student Assistant in a learning capacity to work under close supervision of a Senior Transportation Electrical Engineer. The role supports contract administration of transportation improvement projects to gain professional experience.

Work will occur in both field and office settings, with interaction across project teams within the D7 Construction Division, offering hands-on insight into construction inspection, document

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled as a student and meet minimum unit requirements.
• Ability to use personal computers/laptops, scanners, and input data into systems.
• Clear verbal and written communication and cooperative teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Assist Construction Engineer and Resident Engineers to ensure contractor compliance and inspect job sites.
• Prepare daily reports, learn contract provisions, and help with monthly progress pay estimates.
• Maintain project records, change orders, and related documentation in electronic filing systems.
• Support in various contract administration tasks, including RFI responses and safety meetings.

Education

High school

Job description

• Base Pay $18.28 - $28.16 / Hour
• Job Category Part-time, Off-campus, Caltrans
• Employee Type Student Assistant
• Required Degree High school
• Travel 10%
• 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 Senior Transportation Electrical Engineer, in a learning capacity, the Student Assistant assigned will assist in the contract administration of transportation improvement projects in order to gain experience working in a professional environment.

The Student Assistant will be in both field and office settings and may be interfacing with other personnel within D7 Construction Division.

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

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

Electrical Engineering.

Work Schedule

F lexible workdays and work hours, Monday – Friday, between 8 AM – 5 PM. The 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.
• Must be able to use personal computers/laptops, scanners, copiers, and able to input data to computer systems.
• Must be able to communicate clearly both verbal and in writing.
• Must be able to carry out written/verbal instructions.
• Must be able to maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the workplace.

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 be working in the construction field office, assisting the Construction Engineer and Resident Engineers to ensure Contractor compliance with all contract documents and requirements. Tasks to assist will include: inspecting jobsite, keeping complete and accurate documents of work, quantity calculations, verifying material sources and qualities, and keeping the Resident Engineer informed of work progress and problems timely.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will learn to read and understand the contract special provisions, project plans, standard plans, and standard specifications. Will assist in the field inspection of the construction project. Prepare daily reports of the contractor activities, conduct labor compliance interviews, and assist in the preparation of the monthly progress pay estimates.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will assist in processing, filing, and maintaining complete and accurate project records including: monthly progress pay estimates; extra work reports; contract change orders; labor and equipment records; correspondence and personnel records. Records will be maintained in the States Electronic Filing system Falcon.
• In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will assist in the preparation of Contract Change Orders, Request For Information responses, project photographs, attend tailgate safety meetings and other general duties appropriate to construction contract administration. .

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 an office or in a field environment.

Field work may require working outdoors and may be exposed to dirt, noise, uneven surfaces, and/or extreme heat or cold. Must be accompanied by the Construction Engineer, Resident Engineer, or Assistant Resident Engineer and only after taking Caltrans provided Construction Safety Training. The Job may have exposure to chemicals, equipment, machinery, heat, cold, dust, outdoor conditions, indoor conditions, and humidity. May have exposure to high decibels of noise. Hard hat, safety vest, appropriate clothing, work boots and appropriate safety equipment must be worn at all times in the field, no exceptions.

May have exposure to high volumes of paperwork, filing, and data entry. While at the field office, employees will work in a climate-controlled office under artificial lighting. However due to periodic problems with the heating and air conditioning, the building temperature may fluctuate. Use of computers and other office equipment is required.

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)