Caltrans manages more than 50,000 miles of California's highway and freeway lanes, provides inter-city rail services, permits more than 400 public-use airports and special-use hospital heliports, and works with local agencies. Caltrans carries out its mission of providing a safe, sustainable, integrated, and efficient transportation system to enhance California's economy and livability, with six primary programs: Aeronautics, Highway Transportation, Mass Transportation, Transportation Planning, Administration, and the Equipment Service Center. To learn more visit www.dot ca.gov. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is seeking to hire a student assistant, in a learning capacity, to work under the close supervision of Field Engineers. In a learning capacity, the student assistant will assist with a wide variety of engineering work in either an office or a field setting. The student assistant will also assist field engineers to ensure contractors are in compliance with the contract documents (Standard Plans, Standard Specifications, Contract Plans and Special Provisions) and/or in construction support role to the field engineers. Conditions of Employment This is a part-time, temporary, non-benefited, student position. Employment in all positions with University Enterprises, Inc. is dependent upon the mutual consent of University Enterprises, Inc. and the employee. This means that either University Enterprises, Inc. or the employee can, at any time, terminate the employment relationship at will, with or without cause. Depending on the type of position you are applying for, a pre-employment background check consisting of one or more of the following may be conducted: employment history, professional references, criminal check: educational verification (degree, license, or official transcript) or DMV clearance. Applicants will be required to pass required pre-employment checks to the satisfaction of University Enterprises, Inc. (UEI) and the hiring Agency or Department. UEI does not allow students to hold more than one UEI Job at a time, or work in more than one account per pay period. UEI employees who are considering leaving their current UEI student assistant position for a different UEI student assistant position should inform their supervisor in writing and provide at least a week's notice. UEI is not a multi-state employer. UEI only employs candidates who live and work in the state of California. If selected for the position you must reside in California and all work must be performed in the state of California throughout the course of employment. Prerequisites Must be a college student attending classes during the regular term (fall, spring, and winter, if applicable), at one of the accredited colleges or universities on our affiliation list. To view our current affiliation list please paste the following URL into your browser: http://www.calinterns.org/wp-content/uploads/Affiliation_List.pdf Students must be enrolled in at least six-semester units or nine quarter units for undergraduate students; four-semester units or six quarter units for graduate students. Students declared major must match the major(s) listed in the job posting. Majors/Fields of Study Civil Engineering or related engineering field. Work Schedule F lexible workdays and work hours, Monday
- Friday, between 8 AM
- 5 PM. Final work schedule will be determined by the supervisor. Additional Work Schedule Student Assistant and Graduate Assistant employees generally work up to 24 hours per workweek (Sunday
- Saturday) during the academic year and up to 40 hours per workweek during breaks; (winter, spring, and summer). Compensation $18.28
- $28.
16 per hour. Minimum Qualifications Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Must complete each term with the minimum required units for undergraduate or graduate student classification. Proof of enrollment and unit completion will be collected at the end of each Fall and Spring term. Knowledge of the fundamental principles of physics, chemistry, and mathematics as applied to civil engineering, including engineering construction materials, their properties and uses, and construction methods and equipment. Knowledge of contract administration procedures and practices. Ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and tactfully, both orally and in writing, with construction staff at all levels of experience. Ability to effectively relay information to appropriate responders and communicate responses accurately and efficiently. Ability to communicate the need for clarification, corrective action, or additional supporting documentation to management and staff.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Preferred Qualifications Under the amendment to Government Code Section 18220, state agencies shall give preference to a qualified applicant (up to 26 years of age) who is, or has been, a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth, a formerly incarcerated youth, or a victim of human trafficking. Duties and Responsibilities 35% In a learning capacity, the student assistant will assist registered engineers in ensuring contract compliance with the plans and specifications by the contractor. Assist engineers with preparation of contract change orders (CCO) for the purpose of making alterations, deviations, additions to, or deletions from the plans and specifications. 35% In a learning capacity, the student assistant will review daily inspection reports documenting contractor activities and as-built plans. Trains and utilizes the use of computer-based processes to compile engineering data, horizontal and vertical alignments and curve computations; assist with development and/or maintaining transportation-related state-of-the-art computer programs and procedures. 25% In a learning capacity, the student assistant will assist registered engineers with engineering assessment of plans for adequacy of design, particularly with respect to suitability to actual field conditions and ensures compliance with the plans and specifications by the contractor. 25% In a learning capacity, the student assistant will assist in reviewing quantity calculations and quantity sheets for payment purposes and reviews calculations prepared by Transportation Engineering Technicians and Transportation Engineers. 20% In a learning capacity, the student assistant will assist in reviewing samples and acceptance testing on materials used in the construction of transportation and public works projects including concrete, asphalt, soils, aggregates, and other materials. 20% In a learning capacity, the student assistant will assist with proper sampling intervals, tracking, documentation, notification of results, remedial actions/corrections as required are performed within the contractual requirements. 20% In a learning capacity, the student assistant will assist in safety of State employees and contractor employees as well as the traveling public by observing contractor operations and traffic conditions and taking corrective action when necessary.
20% In a learning capacity, the student assistant will assist in reviews of contractor operations for compliance with California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (CAL/OSHA) regulations.
Note:
Student Assistants are not to be assigned work of an ongoing nature (e.g., preparation and submittal of monthly progress reports) or work that is more appropriately assigned to civil service employees (e.g., inspections, monitoring). Physical Requirements Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment including computer workstations, telephones, calculators, copiers, printers, and scanners with or without reasonable accommodation. Working Conditions Work is performed in an office or in a field environment. Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions, including heat, cold, and uneven terrain. May require occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, or climbing as part of field duties. Application Instructions Please complete all fields of the employment application. Include your educational history in the "Educational Experience" section and any employment history in the "Employment Experience" section of our application. In addition to your resume, please upload your most recent transcripts.
Apply by:
06/23/2026