Geotechnical Internship (Level 1)

Engineering Consulting Service; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

ECS Group of Companies is seeking an entry-level geotechnical field assistant in Charlottesville, VA. You will assist with geotechnical fieldwork, subsurface exploration, drilling coordination, and site access tasks under supervision.

The role emphasizes hands-on field support, data collection, and teamwork, with certifications to be completed within defined windows. A driver’s license is required for driving duties associated with ECS subsidiaries.

Qualifications

• Pursuing an Associate, Bachelor, or Master degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Must complete 1 certification within 90 days and all basic certifications within 270 days (Radiation Safety, Soils I, Concrete I).
• Valid driver's license if driving for ECS subsidiary.
• Strong communication, dependable, detail-oriented, and organized work ethic.
• Able to work outdoors in field conditions and in a team or alone.

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.
• Perform boring and test pit layout using surveying and GPS equipment.
• Assist in observation and classification of soil samples and test pits.
• Support boring logs and location diagrams.
• Perform hand auger borings to obtain soil samples and subsurface information.
• Assist with site seismic testing and other field investigations.
• Observe foundation construction and ground improvement activities.
• Assist with laboratory testing activities as needed.
• Document field observations and support data collection efforts.
• Perform other field or project support tasks as assigned.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Dependable and detail-oriented

Organized work ethic

Independent and team collaboration

Willingness to work outdoors

Education

Pursuing Civil Engineering degree (Associate/Bachelor/Master)

Tools

GPS equipment handling

Conventional surveying basics

Job description

What You’ll Do

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 with 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

What We’re Looking For

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.

Who We Are

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.