Traffic Internship - Summer 2027

DOWL; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

DOWL in Helena, MT (also Spokane, WA) seeks a Traffic Internship to support our transportation planning and design teams. You’ll help develop roadway improvements, coordinate with traffic engineers, and contribute to practical, safe solutions for communities.

This role involves site visits, AutoCAD drafting, cost estimation, and preparing project correspondence. A couple of years of college coursework toward a civil engineering degree and a valid driver’s license are required.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering.
• 1–2 years of college coursework; construction or civil engineering exp desirable.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Proficiency in math, geometry and trigonometry.

Responsibilities

• Document existing conditions via site visits and research.
• Perform engineering calculations for civil design.
• Draft with AutoCAD and manual drafting.
• Coordinate with government agencies and client staff.
• Prepare project correspondence and records.
• Monitor site progress and quality during construction visits.
• Assist with writing construction specifications.
• Estimate construction costs from plans and specs.
• Conduct roadway construction inspections.
• Support other engineering duties as assigned.

Skills

Mathematical skills

Communication skills

Technical reading

Team collaboration

Education

Pursuing Bachelors in Civil Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Project

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued. We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

Transportation Planning and Design

Join our dynamic team of transportation planners and designers dedicated to creating innovative, practical solutions that improve safety, connectivity, and accessibility. Collaborating closely with our traffic engineers, you'll help develop and implement roadway improvements that solve immediate traffic challenges while supporting long-term community goals. If you're passionate about shaping smarter, safer transportation systems, we’d love you to be a part of our team! This position can be filled in either the Spokane, WA or Helena, MT office locations. Applicants who can commit to these areas are encouraged to apply!

Traffic Internship

This is a position to provide engineering assistance to the Civil & Land Development, Water & Environmental Services, Transportation & Structures, and Constructions-Related Services Practice Areas.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Establish and document existing conditions at project sites through research and site visits.
• Perform engineering calculations in support of civil engineering design projects.
• Perform manual and/or AutoCAD drafting.
• Coordinate with government agencies, client staff, and other professionals to obtain design information and approvals.
• Prepare and route project related correspondence and record keeping.
• Conduct periodic site visits to construction sites to monitor quality and progress of the work.
• Assist with writing and editing construction specifications.
• Tabulate bid items and calculate construction bid quantities from plans and specifications. Estimate construction costs.
• Perform construction inspection of roadway project.
• Perform materials testing in support of our lab technicians.
• Other engineering related duties as assigned.

Qualifications.

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

One to two years of college-level course work in pursuit of a baccalaureate degree in civil engineering. Prior work experience in construction or civil engineering related fields is desirable.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Driving is an essential job function or a valid driver’s license is required to support legitimate business purposes.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical analysis, and fundamentals of geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret scientific and technical journals. Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from clients, co-workers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to clients, co-workers, and the public.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with abstract and concrete variables.
• Should be able to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Project software.
• AutoCAD knowledge and experience is highly desirable.
• Ability to prioritize special projects and daily workload to ensure that all work is completed in a timely and efficient manner.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.