Geotechnical Internship (Level 1)

ECS Group of Companies; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

ECS Group of Companies in Charlottesville, VA is seeking a motivated student to support geotechnical field operations, assist with drilling coordination, and prepare field plans.

You must be pursuing an Associate, Bachelor, or Master in Civil Engineering or related field, complete required certifications within 270 days, have strong communication, and be willing to work outdoors. The role offers hourly pay between $16 and $18, with location-based adjustments.

Qualifications

• Pursuing an Associate, Bachelor, or Master in Civil Engineering or related field.
• One certification must be completed within 90 days, and all basic certifications within 270 days, including Radiation Safety, Soils I, and Concrete I.
• If driving for ECS subsidiary, a valid driver’s license is required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with geotechnical fieldwork and subsurface exploration activities.
• Support scheduling and coordination of drilling operations.
• Assist with obtaining utility clearances and evaluating site access.
• Support preparation of drilling instructions and field plans.
• Document field observations and support data collection efforts.

Skills

Communication skills

Outdoor work

Teamwork

Detail-oriented

Education

Pursuing Civil Engineering degree

Job description

Responsibilities

• Assists with geotechnical fieldwork and subsurface exploration activities
• Supports scheduling and coordination of drilling operations
• Assists with obtaining utility clearances and evaluating site access
• Supports preparation of drilling instructions and field plans
• Performs boring and test pit layout using conventional surveying and GPS equipment
• Assists in observation and classification of soil samples and test pits
• Supports preparation of boring logs and location diagrams
• Performs hand auger borings to obtain soil samples and subsurface information
• Assists in site seismic testing and other field investigations
• Observes foundation construction and ground improvement activities
• Assists with laboratory testing activities as needed
• Documents field observations and supports data collection efforts
• Performs other field or project support tasks as assigned

Required Qualifications

• 0 years of related experience
• Must be pursuing an Associate, Bachelor, or Master degree in Civil Engineering, or other degree related to our services
• One certification must be completed within the 90-day introductory period, and all basic certifications must be completed within 270 days of employment, including: Radiation Safety, Soils I, and Concrete I
• If driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary, a valid driver's license is required
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
• Dependable, detail-oriented, and organized work ethic
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to follow directions and work under close supervision
• Basic problem-solving and observational skills
• Willingness to work in outdoor environments and field conditions

Military Qualifications

• The following US Military ranks would qualify for this position:
• E-4

The expected pay range for this role and location is $16-$18/hour. The final agreed-upon compensation will be determined based on specific location and other individual qualifications.

ECS Group of Companies (ECS) was founded in 1988 with the goal to raise the standards of professional engineering consulting. Today, we are a leader in geotechnical, construction materials, environmental and building science + infrastructure consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,200 employees in 125 offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record's Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #148 in Engineering News-Record's Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #38 in Zweig Group's Hot Firm List (June 2026). For additional information about ECS, visit: www.ecslimited.com.

ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, click here.