Design Engineering Student Assistant- Technician​/Field ; Oakland, CA

Overview

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is seeking a Student Assistant in a learning capacity to work under the close supervision of a Senior Transportation Engineer in the Office of Utility Engineering. The student will work with a team of engineers, learn workflows and processes, receive feedback, collaborate on solutions, assist in coordinating and processing lane closure requests, and may accompany engineers to the field to observe and record observations.

In a learning capacity, the Design Engineering Student Assistant is tasked with assembling and logging utility maps from utility owners, reviewing utility maps, using Google Earth to explore above-ground features, and logging and recording findings. The student may use software applications such as Micro Station or AutoCAD to plot draft utility line work.

The student will also be responsible for record keeping, reading draft project reports to understand and explain work elements to the Utility Engineering (UE) team, attending Project Development meetings, and representing the UE when appropriate.

Projects could include pavement rehabilitation, bridge widening, guard rails, walls, director order work, and middle mile broadband network.

• Draft utility verification requests, conflict memos and other correspondence as assigned.
• Assist in utility plan reviews, prepare and file documents, evaluate and process lane closure requests among other duties as assigned.
• Develop an understanding of the Utility Engineering workflows and the UE’s role in project delivery.
• Assist in evaluating, recording and filing utility maps received from utility owners.
• Draft utility verification requests, conflict memos and prepare draft utility conflict matrices.
• Review draft project reports and advise on work improvements proposed.
• Use Excel and other software to prepare spreadsheets, utility drawings and other documents.
• Participate in Project Development Teams (PDT) meetings, conference calls, work assignment evaluations and other assignments as necessary.

• Must be a college student attending classes during the regular term (fall, spring, and winter, if applicable) at an accredited college or university on the affiliation list.
• 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.
• Majors/Fields of Study:
  Civil Engineering.
• Must have completed at least two years in an engineering program.
• Must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.
• Demonstrate a willingness to learn, grow, and actively contribute to the team; be receptive to feedback and seek improvement; be dependable and punctual; show initiative and the ability to work independently.

• Preference may be given to applicants under applicable government codes related to foster care, homeless youth, formerly incarcerated youth, or victims of human trafficking, where applicable by law.

• Flexible workdays and hours, Monday – Friday, between 8 AM – 5 PM. Final schedule determined by the supervisor.
• Student Assistant and Graduate Assistant employees generally work up to 24 hours per workweek during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during breaks (winter, spring, and summer).
• Compensation: $18.28 – $28.16 per hour.

• Must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.
• Must complete each term with minimum unit requirements for undergraduate and graduate classifications; proof collected at end of each term.
• Be able to sit for extended periods, stand and walk as needed, with good hand-eye coordination; standard office/digital tools usage.

Work is performed in an office environment with possible field duties. May work outdoors in various weather conditions, with some bending, stooping, kneeling or climbing.

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 the application. Upload your most recent transcripts along with your resume.

Apply by:
August 31, 2026

Summary:

Caltrans manages extensive highway and other transportation assets and operates under six primary programs:
Aeronautics, Highway Transportation, Mass Transportation, Transportation Planning, Administration, and the Equipment Service Center.

Agency/Department
:
Transportation, Dept of (Caltrans)