Engineering Intern (student Trainee) - Denver

Engineering Intern (Student Trainee) - Denver

Salary: $19.29 - $25.50 Hourly

Location: Denver, CO

Job Type: Temporary (9 months or less)

Job Number: HAA-SBINTERN-1/26

Department: Department of Transportation

Division: Chief Engineer's Office

Opening Date: 01/05/2026

Closing Date: 3/31/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA: Determined by Position

Primary Physical Work Address: 2829 W. Howard Pl, Denver, CO 80204

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information: Misty.Valles@state.co.us

Type of Announcement: This is a temporary position. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

This announcement is posted until the position is filled. Applications will be considered as they are received. It's in your best interest to apply early.

Pay will be determined by education and experience:

Student Trainee I - IV - $19.29 - $25.50 hourly

This is a paid temporary/intern position limited to a maximum of 9 months from the date of hire. In addition to being a fantastic place to work, CDOT offers all temporary employees paid sick leave. Temporary employees accrue one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, capped at 48 hours.

Schedule: Primarily 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM work hours, Monday through Friday in the HQ/Region 1 office building located in Denver.

This position is not covered by the Partnership Agreement between the State of Colorado and Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions (COWins).

Description of Job: About the Position

The Staff Bridge department at CDOT is seeking four college students or recent graduates who are pursuing a career in Civil Engineering or similar. Staff Bridge is transitioning to the System for Inspection and Management of Structural Assets (SIMSA). SIMSA is leveraging technology to automate, notify, and visualize inspection and asset management data. It will be used across Colorado by CDOT, Consultants, and Local Agency owners. It will help those infrastructure owners do their job of inspecting and managing their assets. Additionally, Staff Bridge is working to collect and update data in accordance with the Specifications for National Bridge Inventory. Training will be provided for all responsibilities; however, any prior experience relating to the duties and responsibilities should be highlighted in the application.

Major duties and responsibilities, include but are not limited to:

Reviewing bridge drawings and files to update data in accordance with the Specifications for National Bridge Inventory.

Reviewing files or data to evaluate, identify discrepancies, perform statistical analysis, and/or track progress.

Performing queries and updates on data using SQL Server Management Studio such as inspection data, project data, and vertical clearance data.

Performing bridge inspections or fabrication inspections with assistance from bridge inspectors or fabrication inspectors.

Identify and classify work performed on structures by reviewing structural plan sets.

Provide technical assistance to design, rating, and construction units as needed.

Driving CDOT vehicles to record vertical clearance on bridges throughout the state as schedule, weather, and other duties allow.

Field work with inspectors and technicians at fabrication sites including documentation with reports and completion of forms.

Other duties as assigned by the Staff Bridge Unit Leaders or their designees.

Work Environment:

Primarily 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM work hours, Monday through Friday in the HQ/Region 1 office building located in Denver.

Occasional travel may be required during work hours to assigned locations to collect data.

Potential overnight travel may be required but is not likely. This would be for inspection trips and would be no longer than two nights once or twice during the summer.

May be required to operate CDOT vehicles.

Must have current driver's license.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified candidates must be either:

Any college student enrolled in an accredited community college, college or university seeking an Associates, Bachelors, Masters or Ph.D. degree in civil engineering or similar.

OR

A recent college graduate. Recently graduated means the individual should have attended an accredited college or university and have graduated with and Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Ph.D. degree in civil engineering or similar within three calendar years.

OR

Passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. This is the prerequisite for taking the Professional Engineering (PE) exam.

OR

A certified participant in the Colorado Refugee Services Program.

College Transcripts: If you are using education to qualify, a legible copy of your official or unofficial college transcript(s) or an official foreign credential evaluation report must be submitted with your application. Transcripts must show the name of the school, completed credit hours, and (if applicable) that a degree was conferred. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States must have been assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. The credential evaluation report must be an official report. Failure to provide a transcript or official foreign credential evaluation report may result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.

Please Note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. "See Resume" statements on the application or resumes in lieu of a complete application may not be accepted. Additional information submitted after the closing date of this announcement will not be considered in the review of your application. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

Conditions of Employment

Must pass a pre-employment screening which may include social security number trace, criminal records check, public court records check, educational records, and driving records checks. More information in the supplemental information section.

A current valid driver's license is required for all Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) positions which require operating a state or personal motor vehicle to perform one or more essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

The exceptional applicant will possess the proven ability or accomplishment in the following:

Strong interest in the duties listed in the Description of the Job section;

Pursuing a related degree;

Knowledge and experience with databases and SQL;

Familiarity with Geospatial Information Systems (GIS);

Highest work and personal ethics and integrity;

Desire to learn (curious) and develop (is teachable);

Effective communication and organizational skills;

Ability to work effectively in both independent and team situations;

Strong attention to technical detail and accuracy;

Excellent reasoning, investigative, analytical, and problem solving ability;

Strong mathematical skills;

Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point etc.) and experience with Google Applications and Gmail; and

The ability and interest to quickly learn other software systems.

Supplemental Information

Applicant Checklist

Complete Applications must include the following documents:

A complete CDOT Application for Announced Vacancy (please submit online using the green 'APPLY' button at the top of this announcement)

A complete Supplemental Questionnaire (The questionnaire is part of the online application. You will be prompted to answer them as you are completing your online application.)

A cover letter that describes your interest in this position, how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position. Cover letters must be uploaded as an attachment to your online application. Cover letters will not be accepted after the closing date and time of the announcement.