Geotechnical Internship (Level 2)

Engineering Consulting Service; York (York County); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

ECS Group of Companies is seeking a motivated student to perform geotechnical fieldwork, assist with drilling scheduling, and support field plans across diverse sites.

You will gain hands-on experience with surveying, GPS, boring logs, and testing while following safety guidelines. This role is ideal for civil engineering students seeking practical exposure and growth within a national engineering firm.

Qualifications

• Pursuing an Associate, Bachelor, or Master degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• At least one internship with ECS or another firm.
• Certifications must be completed within specified timelines (Radiation Safety, Soils I, Concrete I).
• If driving for ECS, a valid driver’s license is required.
• Strong communication, dependable, and organized work ethic.
• Willingness to work in outdoor environments and varying site conditions.

Responsibilities

• Performs geotechnical fieldwork and supports subsurface exploration activities
• Assists with scheduling drilling operations and coordinating field efforts
• Obtains utility clearances for subsurface investigation activities
• Supports preparation of drilling instructions and field plans
• Performs boring and test pit layout using surveying and GPS equipment
• Observes and classifies soils and test pits
• Prepares boring logs and location diagrams
• Performs hand auger borings to obtain soil samples and subsurface data
• Assists with or performs specialized testing (e.g., Pile Driving Analyzer testing)
• Supports site seismic testing and other geotechnical investigations
• Observes foundation construction and ground improvement installations
• Documents field observations and supports data collection and reporting
• Performs other field or project support tasks as assigned

Skills

Geotechnical fieldwork

Outdoor work

Strong communication

Team oriented

Detail oriented

Independent worker

Education

Pursuing Civil Engineering degree

Tools

Surveying

GPS equipment

Drilling operations

Boring logs

Site testing

Job description

What You'll Do

Responsibilities

• Performs geotechnical fieldwork and supports subsurface exploration activities
• Assists with scheduling drilling operations and coordinating field efforts
• Obtains utility clearances for subsurface investigation activities
• Supports preparation of drilling instructions and field plans
• Performs boring and test pit layout using surveying and GPS equipment
• Observes and classifies soils and test pits
• Prepares boring logs and location diagrams
• Performs hand auger borings to obtain soil samples and subsurface data
• Assists with or performs specialized testing (e.g., Pile Driving Analyzer testing)
• Supports site seismic testing and other geotechnical investigations
• Observes foundation construction and ground improvement installations
• Documents field observations and supports data collection and reporting
• Performs other field or project support tasks as assigned

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• 90 days of related experience
• At least one internship with ECS or another firm
• 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
  • Additional certifications applicable to the work performed may be required for Level 2
• 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 independently and as part of a team
• Ability to follow directions with limited supervision
• Basic understanding of geotechnical fieldwork and testing procedures
• Basic problem-solving and observational skills
• Willingness to work in outdoor environments and varying site 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 $18-$20/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. To learn more, click here.