Fleet Equipment Mechanic Intern - Fleet Operations Division

Texas Department of Transportation; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

On-the-Job Training

Tuition Assistance Program

Career Development Opportunities

Job summary

Texas Department of Transportation in Houston, TX invites applications for a Fleet Equipment Mechanic Intern in our Fleet shop. You will gain hands-on experience maintaining and repairing vehicles from small pickups to heavy equipment used in road maintenance projects.

Work with seasoned mechanics, receive classroom and hands-on training, and learn our procedures. This internship requires current student status; tools are supplied by TxDOT and opportunities for advancement to full-time positions

Qualifications

• Must be a student in high school or enrolled in a college, university, or educational institution.
• No experience required; experience can be satisfied by full-time or prorated part-time equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Perform inspections on vehicles and equipment in the shop.
• Support with maintenance and repair of heavy equipment used in highways/bridges.
• Assist with vehicle preparation for service and decommissioning.
• Handle preventive maintenance tasks and ensure safety features are present.

Skills

Computer literacy

Communication skills

Safety awareness

Ability to follow instructions

Education

High school student or enrolled in college/trade school

Tools

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word)

Job description

Performs entry-level and routine maintenance work. Work involves physical labor tasks such as: plant and landscape maintenance, maintenance of comfort stations and rights-of-way, minor equipment repair, and assisting with roadway repair. Employees at this level perform assignments following specific instructions and are subject to frequent review by the immediate supervisor.

Essential Duties

• Performs inspections on vehicles and equipment coming into the shop.
• Supports Shop Technicians with maintenance and repair of heavy equipment used in the construction and maintenance of highways/bridges.
• Assists with preparing vehicles for sale (equipment decommissioning).
• Assists with preparing new vehicles and equipment for services (equipment make-ready).
• Prepares pool vehicles for use by performing inspections and preventive maintenance, washing/cleaning, checking for required safety features such as first aid kits, fire extinguishers, mobile radios, etc.
• Completes repair order documentation and enters information into the fleet information management system.
• Picks up parts from local vendors as needed.
• Shuttles vehicles and equipment to and from vendors.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Must be a student in high school or other educational institution or accepted into a college, university or educational institution.

No Experience Required (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent)

Other Conditions

• Must be at least 16 years of age, a student currently enrolled in high school or any institution of higher education to include a trade/vocational school.
• Employees at least 18 years of age with valid driver's license may be assigned driving duties and may use power tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Using applicable hand and power tools, equipment and mechanical devices of the trade
• Mechanical repair procedures for diesel, gasoline engines
• Diagnosing problems and repairing equipment to include electronic and mechanical components and subsystems according to defined codes and specifications
• Using computers and Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel and Word
• Troubleshooting, repairing and calibrating electronic and mechanical components and subsystems
• Brake repairs to include antilocking systems, mechanical brakes, air brakes and hydraulic brake systems
• Diagnostic skills with automotive and diesel computer applications

Competencies

• Some skill in using computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems
• Communicate effectively
• Follow verbal and written instructions
• Follow applicable safety standards, practices and procedures
• Maintain a safe working environment
• Protect sensitive and confidential information

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Required to wear personal protective equipment (safety shirt/vest, eye protection, hard hat, gloves, etc.)
• Subject to noise
• Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour
• Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs
• Kneeling-bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee(s)

Conditions of Employment

Please read the Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT) for all positions

• 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.

Position Information

***Opportunity for Current Students***

If you like to work on a variety of vehicles and equipment and want to build a career as an equipment mechanic, you will love this job! As a Fleet Equipment Mechanic Intern in our Fleet shop in Houston, TX, you will gain marketable experience maintaining and repairing everything from small vehicles like pickup trucks and SUVs up to heavy equipment such as dozers, loaders and backhoes and many other types of machinery used in road maintenance projects.

You will have the opportunity to work with seasoned mechanics and learn from some of the best in the industry. You will benefit from the same classroom and hands-on training that fulltime Fleet Equipment Mechanics receive. Additionally, TxDOT provides opportunities for advancement with full time positions. The only requirement for this internship is that you must be a current student.

You won’t have to worry about tools for this job. At TxDOT we supply all the diagnostic, hand, and power tools you need to get the job done, so you will not be required to provide your own tools.

At TxDOT, you will be a part of a network of 30 fleet repair and maintenance shops across the state that are responsible for the maintenance and repair of approximately 13,000 assets. These assets are essential to daily operations and crucial in emergency situations such as hurricanes and other weather events.

As a member of the TxDOT Team, you will make a difference in the State of Texas while you advance your career!

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)

Job

School

Schedule

Part-time

Employee Status

Temporary

Job Type

Temporary Work

Job Level

Non-Management

Job Posting

Sep 18, 2026, 10:21:39 AM

State Job Title/s

Clerk III

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.

Applicant Information

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.

Additional Applicant Information for applicants