Paid College Internships - Capital Programs 2026

Who We Are

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) oversees building and maintaining the nation’s 5th largest interstate system and the 3rd largest number of bridges. We take pride in providing safe and efficient roadways for the people of Ohio and to the people traveling within our great state. And in order to achieve that, we do A LOT! From Planning, Engineering, Construction to Law, HR, Communications, IT and everything in between, ODOT has a career for just about everyone. ODOTers are hardworking, passionate, and dedicated to public service. We strive to achieve our agency’s vision every day: To be a long term, reliable, professional, and highly productive organization.

ODOTs Mission Statement

To provide a transportation system that is safe, accessible, well maintained, and positioned for the future.

Benefits To You

• PAID Internship with the rate based on your rank in school
• Freshman & Sophomore - $19.50/hour; Junior & Senior - $20.00/hour; Graduate Students - $24.00/hour
• Flexible hours based around your school schedule
• Real world experience
• Our interns work year round and are eligible to participate in the intern program as long as they are enrolled in an accredited college or university and are in good academic standing
• The opportunity to work on an important mission
  
  

What You Will Do

Under supervision in the Planning Section, student will receive training and assist with a variety of planning activities involving traffic engineering studies (e.g. prepares and reviews information on highway safety and speed zones; conducts traffic counts; collects and reviews field data; verifies sign locations and pavement marking locations; photographs site of proposed projects; researches and analyzes accidents and traffic signal warrants; participates in field reviews and project scoping). Assists in the scanning of plans and documents in the permits database. Assists in the processing of legislation issues and MPO matters. Assists in the Environmental area concerning the selection of potential noise walls for study, takes noise readings and updates the data base. Performs field work on selected safety locations including speed studies, pavement marking, sign and signal location. Enter and manipulate data base for environmental noise walls, safety and congestion locations and bridge conditions.

Under supervision in the Engineering Section, student will receive training in PC based and mainframe CADD systems (i.e. MicroStation and OpenRoads Designer); as well as, various software packages used by the District. Collect and reviews roadway, culvert, and bridge field data required for the preparation of highway construction plans. Assists project manager or designer with the design, development, and review of various portions of highway construction plans. Assists project surveyor on projects, receives training in the operation and maintenance of survey instruments (e.g. total stations, GPS receivers, digital levels, 3-D laser scanners and data collectors) and survey applications, to, complete highway survey projects. Assists project surveyor with gathering of necessary field supplies and equipment and takes notes and records of survey data obtained. Performs miscellaneous duties to facilitate operational efficiency of work unit (e.g. researches plans and records; assists with necessary record keeping; maintains accurate data of work performed; organizes materials and compiles information to assist in report preparation; attends training).

Under supervision in the Construction Section, student will receive training in proper procedures for inspection of work being done by contractors (e.g. widening and resurfacing projects, safety upgrading, signing, guardrail, intersections, drainage facilities, forms and reinforcing steel, concrete placement on structures, flexible and rigid pavement). Assists project engineer in the inspection of bituminous plants, performs test on concrete and soils, and in any required surveying to verify field measurements. Performs support functions in record keeping, maintains accurate data of work performed, organizes materials, and compiles information to assist in report preparation.

Under supervision in the Environmental Section, assists the Environmental staff with projects & documentation by utilizing the computer & related software (e.g., internet, web pages for ODOT, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); ELLIS, Microsoft Word, Excel & Outlook) to research information (e.g., National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Environmental Justice Maps, Categorical Exclusions, upcoming projects, submerged land leases, lake lines, city limits), to pull maps, generate reports, create lists (e.g., public involvement requirements, mussel stream) & data bases (e.g., permits, flood plain).

MUST BE ENROLLED IN A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY PROGRAM AND IN GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING.

Must show proof of valid drivers license to operate state vehicle.

This position is unclassified per Section 124.11(A)(29).

Organization

Transportation - District 03

Agency Contact Name and Information

D03.Personnel@dot.ohio.gov

Unposting Date

Ongoing

Work Location

District 3 HQ

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Ashland County-Ashland

Compensation

19.50 - 24.00

Schedule

Part-time

Work Hours

07:00 AM To 03:30 PM

Classified Indicator

Unclassified

Union

Exempt from Union

Primary Job Skill

Internship

Technical Skills

Internship

Professional Skills

Active Learning, Attention to Detail, Listening, Teamwork

Agency Overview

Paid ODOT College Internships, Capital Programs - Planning, Engineering & Construction

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