Transportation Engineer 1 (TCE) -20064152

Ohio Department of Transportation; Chillicothe (OH); On-site; USD 43,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Ohio Department of Transportation offers a Transportation Engineer 1 role with a structured 12‑month training plan and scheduled rotations through Planning, Engineering, Construction and Highway Maintenance. You’ll work alongside ODOT engineers and receive hands‑on transportation training to develop your career within the civil engineering field.

The program introduces you to traffic models, project plans, and environmental aspects while preparing you for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required.
• Accepted for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam (EIT) encouraged.
• Hands-on training across Planning, Design, Construction, and Highway Management disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the Transportation Civil Engineering (TCE) Program’s 12‑month training plan.
• Work alongside ODOT professional engineers across core disciplines.
• Gain hands-on transportation engineering experience to advance within ODOT.

Skills

Civil Engineering

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Job description

Transportation Engineer 1 hire will complete ODOT’s Transportation Civil Engineering Program to include a 12 month training plan & scheduled rotation through the department’s core engineering disciplines; Planning & Engineering, Construction and Highway Maintenance.

What You Will Do

• You will receive a thorough introduction to the three core civil engineering disciplines.
• You will work along side of ODOT professional engineers.
• You will receive hands‑on transportation training & experience needed to further your career as an engineer with ODOT.

Official Position Description

ODOT’s Transportation Civil Engineering (TCE) Program offers Engineering college graduates a great opportunity to begin, or continue, their career in the Civil Engineering field. The TCE Program provides a thorough introduction to the department’s core engineering disciplines with hands on training in all concentrations of Civil Engineering. ODOT engineers develop traffic models, environmental mitigation documents and create construction plans for upcoming roadway, bridge, culvert, safety, drainage and other projects. ODOT engineers are in the field overseeing projects being constructed. Whether it is a simple roadway resurfacing or the construction of a new bridge, ODOT engineers make sure contractors follow specifications so all projects are properly built. ODOT engineers develop simple and complex traffic management designs, manage ODOT’s motor vehicle fleet and oversee winter operations, a function that is critical to keeping Ohio’s economy moving forward. TCEs are provided 12 months experience & training with a Professional Engineer in the department’s core engineering disciplines: Construction, Design, Planning and Highway Management. Training opportunities include: GEOPAK Microstation, Surveying/CADD, Project Manager Training, Bridges, Safety, plus hundreds of other training options. Upon successful completion of the 12-month TCE Program & passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, TCEs can advance to the next level of the Engineering series.

In Construction

Inspects standard projects (e.g., bridge overlays, culvert replacements) to ensure contractor compliance with plans, notes & guidelines (e.g., examines plans, verifies calculations, checks quantities, estimates costs) & approves use of contingencies (i.e., quantity & plan design changes).

Maintains project records; performs surveying functions; identifies necessary engineering changes (e.g., performs summarized engineering analyses, makes specific suggestions for remedies).

Performs materials testing assignments (e.g., tests durability of specific mixes for bituminous concrete, evaluates newly-marketed construction materials).

In Highway Management

Conducts traffic studies & researches specific locations (e.g., areas of frequent accidents); reviews lighting plans; assists in planning improvement & reconstruction projects to bring public roads up to reasonable standards within limitations of regulations (e.g., traffic control, sign control, traffic safety); determines characteristics of sewage treatment plants & their operations at roadside rest areas; uses personal computer (e.g., MicroStation) to formulate designs; researches previously implemented projects to identify whether or not materials & original intent result in anticipated outcome; plans, designs & coordinates development of drainage systems using knowledge of soils, slope of land & availability of existing drainage. Participates in county operational activities. Assists with activities involved in bridge painting, waterproofing & annual bridge inspection to determine structural adequacy & condition.

In Planning/Production

Using prescribed methods, performs specific portions of a broad assignment (e.g., uses MicroStation computer software package to draft standard detailed construction drawings used in planning & construction of highways including detailed drawings of roadways, culvert replacements, minor structures, signing, roadway illumination & right‑of‑way; applies standard techniques to adjust data).

Identifies discrepancies in results & corrects by following operations through a series of related steps; plans, designs & coordinates development of drainage systems using knowledge of soils, slope of land & availability of existing drainage; designs structures using established precedents to meet estimated load requirements & to be more efficient, safe, economical & acceptable; reviews highway & bridge plans (e.g., detailed drawings of roadways), contracts & cost estimates for technical & legal accuracy.

Reviews environmental documents (e.g., water & air reports) & engineering source documents in the preliminary development stage for accuracy & compliance with specifications.

Bachelor’s degree in engineering; Accepted for Basic Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (EIT exam) by Ohio Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Surveyors.

Job Skills

Civil Engineering

Organization

Transportation - District 09

Agency Contact Name and Information

Bonnie Hall 740-774-8860 [e-mail]

Unposting Date

Sep 11, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

Work Location

District 9 HQ

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Ross County-Chillicothe

Compensation

$31.47 to $46.08

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours

Operational Needs

Classified Indicator

Classified

Union

OCSEA

Technical Skills

Engineering, Civil Engineering

Professional Skills

Active Learning, Attention to Detail, Critical Thinking, Organizing and Planning, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Time Management

Agency Overview

Who We Are:

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) oversees building and maintaining the nation’s 5 th largest interstate system and the 3 rd largest number of bridges . We take pride in providing safe and efficient roadways for the people of Ohio and to the people traveling within our great state. And in order to achieve that, we do A LOT! From Planning, Engineering, Construction to Law, HR, Communications, IT and everything in between, ODOT has a career for just about everyone. ODOTers are hardworking, passionate, and dedicated to public service. We strive to achieve our agency’s vision every day: To be a long term, reliable, professional, and highly productive organization.

ODOT's Mission Statement

To provide a transportation system that is safe, accessible, well maintained, and positioned for the future.