Traffic Safety Engineering Intern
State of Iowa
FreshPosted Jan 28
✓ Fresh Listing
Posted: January 30, 2026 (4 days ago)
This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.
Engineering Intern (Maintenance Bureau)
State of Iowa
645 Iowa Department of Transportation
Location
Iowa, 50319
Salary
$19.76 - $19.76
per hour
Type
Internship
More Engineering jobs →Closes
March 2, 2026More State jobs →
Job Description
Summary
This internship supports the Iowa Department of Transportation's Maintenance Bureau by helping with tasks like analyzing road marking data, building databases for installation records, inspecting guardrails, and improving safety guidelines for highways.
It involves both office work, such as updating manuals and managing equipment, and fieldwork, like collecting data and supporting bridge teams.
A good fit would be a college engineering student interested in transportation infrastructure who is reliable, good at communicating, and eager to learn about maintaining safe roads.
Key Requirements
- Engineering major enrolled in college, having completed at least one full year of classes
- Commitment to part-time work (10-20 hours/week) during fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters
- Continuous enrollment in an academic program related to job duties
- Moderate familiarity with Microsoft Excel and ability to operate a personal computer
- Valid Class C (or higher) driver's license and ability to safely drive department vehicles statewide
- Effective oral and written communication skills and ability to work well with coworkers in office and field settings
Full Job Description
The internship program will involve the following duties:
Engineering support for the Maintenance Bureau including any of the following:
- Data analytics and reporting for pavement marking retro reflectivity and application records
- Constructing a pavement marking installation record database, including reviewing completed project plans to harvest historical installation data
- Field collection of pavement marking retro reflectivity data
- Review of guardrail inspection protocols and developing a guardrail inspection program
- Develop a program for replacement of existing guardrail based on existing conditions and budget
The internship position may also assist with other engineering tasks including:
- Updating and revising the pavement marking program manual and related guidance for field crews
- Management of the connected arrow board program, including working with others to troubleshoot problems
- Work zone safety analysis and revising/developing new standard road plans or guidance
- Supporting bridge maintenance field teams
- Field support for equipment, including analyzing replacement needs or writing specifications for new equipment
Essential Functions:
- The candidate must be able to operate a personal computer, have a moderate level of familiarity with Microsoft Excel, and be able to navigate through various computer systems
- The candidate must maintain a Class C (or higher) driver’s license and be able to safely operate Department-owned light-duty vehicles statewide
- They must also have effective oral and written communication skills and work well with co-workers both in the office and in the field
- The candidate must also meet the listed qualifications
Experience gained from this internship:
- The candidate will gain experience in the maintenance and management of a large highway transportation network and the elements that are required to keep it safe for travelers
- They will gain exposure to the electronic organization and retrieval of project records and learn how to read and interpret project plans and materials data reports
- They will be exposed to our accounting, purchasing, and equipment management systems
- They will gain experience in technical writing and development of standards and protocols
- They will gain experience in organizing and sustaining technical programs and managing projects
Period of Internship and Weekly Hours:
March 2026: 10-20 hours per week. Ideal candidate will continue full-time through the summer 2026 at 40 hours per week.
Qualifications
Engineering majors who have completed at least one full school year of college classes and will commit to working part time (10-20 hours/wk) during the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters.
Transition to full-time (40 hours/wk) during the Summer of 2026 is desirable but not required. Intern must continuously be enrolled in an academic program related to the job duties.
Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes