Highway Construction Engineering Intern

State of Iowa; Fairfield (IA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Iowa Department of Transportation invites engineering students to gain hands-on experience as Highway Construction Interns. You will inspect highway construction projects across the eastern portion of District 5, perform measurements, sampling, and testing of materials, and ensure adherence to plans, specs, and standards.

You will receive training in materials testing, document project progress, and help prepare vouchers and progress reports.

Qualifications

• Two years of study in civil, construction, materials, or transportation engineering or an engineering management curriculum at an accredited four-year college or university.
• Eligibility for junior status upon return to school or engineering students not meeting the above requirement may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Inspect highway construction projects in District 5 eastern counties for compliance with plans, specs, and standards.
• Perform measurement and documentation of quantities; sample and test materials.
• Prepare authorizations for vouchers and progress reports and maintain project records.
• Monitor ready-mix and Portland cement concrete plants; conduct standard tests (air, slump, density) for quality control.
• Review traffic control set-ups for safety and compliance in low-traffic areas.

Skills

Attention to detail

Measurement & documentation

Inspection

Education

Two years in civil/construction/materials/transportation engineering or eng management curriculum

Job description

The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking multiple engineering students who want to gain hands‑on experience in the world of construction!

As a Highway Construction Intern you will conduct inspection duties on highway construction projects in the eastern portion of District 5 (Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Muscatine, Washington, and Van Buren counties). Your experience will include measurement and documentation of quantities, sampling and testing of materials and ensuring construction work is done in accordance with Iowa DOT plans, specifications, and standards. Types of construction may include grading, asphalt and concrete paving, bridges and culverts or pavement maintenance projects.

All students will be trained and certified by the Iowa DOT in materials testing procedures.

You will have the opportunity to Inspect small to moderately complex construction projects such as grading and paving, bridge culverts, erosion control, fencing, guardrail, and/or weatherization projects for compliance which includes reviewing field construction reports and material certifications, verifying quantities and materials, ensuring compliance with specifications and the use of certified materials, and preparing authorizations for vouchers and progress reports.

We'll ask that you document construction progress and activities in computerized record keeping programs by maintaining detailed project records and preparing periodic reports on project progress and expenditures including item progress, materials used, and test results; performs technical duties in a resident construction office such as compiling and analyzing project reports and assisting the resident construction engineer.

You'll get the chance to monitor ready mix and Portland cement concrete paving plants to verify material testing and check record keeping progress and plant compliance; performs a variety of standard tests to ensure quality control such air and slump tests on concrete and density and thickness on asphalt; records test results.

And since we are the Department of Transportation, you will gain knowledge in reviewing traffic control set‑ups on highway construction projects in low traffic areas (i.e., rural rather than urban) for safety and compliance.

Excited to pursue the next step in your career?

Seeking engineering students interested in the construction field.

Eligible majors: engineering

Requirements: Completion of at least two years in civil, construction, materials, or transportation engineering, or in an engineering management curriculum at an accredited four‑year college or university with eligibility for junior status upon return to school. Potential option for engineering students who do not meet the above requirement.