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Posted: January 21, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Civil/Construction Materials Intern - Cedar Rapids

State of Iowa

645 Iowa Department of Transportation

Fresh

Location

Salary

$19.76 - $19.76

per hour

Closes

March 2, 2026More State jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This internship involves hands-on training in testing and sampling construction materials for transportation projects across a 12-county area in Eastern Iowa, including travel to sites like quarries, plants, and construction zones to observe and assist with quality checks.

Interns gain practical experience in civil engineering aspects of road and infrastructure building, with opportunities for tours and audits on projects of various sizes.

It's ideal for engineering students eager to learn, who are flexible, team-oriented, and comfortable with fieldwork and physical tasks.

Key Requirements

  • Completion of at least two years in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, structural, transportation engineering, or engineering management at an accredited four-year college or university
  • Eligibility for junior status upon return to school
  • Valid driver's license and ability to drive a DOT vehicle
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
  • Comfortable working outdoors on construction sites, in offices, or manufacturing plants
  • Strong communication skills, flexibility in changing conditions, and ability to work independently or in a team
  • Eagerness to learn and receive instruction

Full Job Description

We are responsible for a 12-county area in Eastern Iowa where the position will involve travelling to and from a plant or project site. The position includes hands on training with one or all the following.

The Iowa DOT District 6 Materials Office is seeking intern students to assist our department with Verification testing and Independent Assurance sampling on state and/or federal transportation projects.

A Civil/Construction Materials Intern will participate in the sampling and testing or the witnessing of sampling and testing of materials used in Iowa DOT transportation project.

With instruction and hands-on training, interns will be involved in many different aspects of transportation construction. A typical day for an intern can include any of the following:

  1. Travel to district labs to assist with material testing as needed. Training and certification will be provided for testing and inspection to be conducted by the intern.
  2. Travel to a quarry or mine to collect material samples and observe production practices.
  3. Travel to a precast plant to obtain samples, witness testing, and observe production practices.
  4. Travel to a concrete production plant to collect samples, witness sampling and testing, and observe production practices.
  5. Travel to a construction site to run materials tests, collect samples, and observe construction and testing practices.


The intern may also have the opportunity to participate in other areas of DOT project planning and oversight, if desired and as schedules permit.

Interns typically participate in tours of our Central Materials testing laboratories Resident Construction Engineer’s Offices, and other locations in the district involved with transportation construction.

Interns are typically involved with construction projects ranging from a few thousand dollars to multi-million-dollar projects.

Interns may be tasked with conducting project materials audits for projects.

The intern may be asked to complete work outside on construction sites, in office settings, or in manufacturing plants. Good communication of risk tolerance and flexibility in changing conditions is a must.


Duration options: Summer Intern (40 hours/week), Part Time Fall Semester Intern (up to 20 hours/week


The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov

Qualifications

Completion of at least two years in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, structural, or transportation engineering, or in an engineering management curriculum at an accredited four-year college or university with eligibility for junior status upon return to school.

Additional Information

Interns must possess a valid drivers license, be comfortable driving a DOT pickup truck or car, and be able to lift up to 50 lbs. We are looking for people who are eager to learn, can receive instruction, and can work as part of a team and independently.

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Posted on NEOGOV: 1/21/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/22/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-iowa-5205002