SEASONAL ENGINEERING INTERN - BUREAU OF MATERIALS

Agency Mission Statement

The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking to hire Seasonal Engineering Interns for the summer of 2023. The Seasonal Engineering Intern Program is designed to give engineering students an opportunity to obtain on-the-job training from May 16, 2023, through August 15, 2023.

The IDOT team works diligently to provide safe, cost-effective transportation for Illinois in ways that enhance quality of life, promote economic prosperity and protect our environment. We are problem solvers and leaders, constantly searching for innovations and improvements in support of our commitment to providing the best multimodal transportation system for Illinois.

Our team fosters a culture of inclusivity. We value diversity and hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards as we work together for a common purpose. Team members frequently collaborate with colleagues and others outside the department to best meet customer needs.

We invite qualified applicants to apply to become part of our team for the summer of 2023. We are confident that you will take pride in serving Illinois and its residents and visitors.

Job Responsibilities

The incumbent will provide support for various materials investigations, studies, and experimental feature projects. S/He will assist the Technical and Product Studies Unit with field investigations and surveys as needed. This position assists during peak construction season when the Bureau of Materials' ten materials testing laboratories are receiving the largest number of samples in support of construction contracts across the state.

This position reports to the Engineer of Materials. There are no subordinates reporting to this position.

This position operates in an environment where s/he learns methods of quality testing according to prescribed standards and how to accurately and safely perform tests, record results, and maintain equipment in sound workable condition. Assignments are generated by various staff within the Bureau of Materials.

The challenge for the incumbent is to accurately, safely, and efficiently perform all testing according to prescribed standards and to further knowledge in the field of materials testing.

Under immediate supervision, this position is responsible for assisting with testing special and routine materials, analyzing and correlating jobsite data with laboratory developed data, testing and evaluating in-place materials which exhibit performance problems, inspecting various materials producers, and conducting field inspections and pavement distress surveys. The end result of the incumbent's work will be the correlation of laboratory and field data, recommendations for solving technical problems arising in a job environment, and timely inspections of products.

(Job Responsibilities continued)

The incumbent performs his/her accountabilities under immediate supervision. This position is constrained by applicable departmental guidelines.

The incumbent's primary contacts are within the Bureau of Materials. Externally the incumbent may have occasional contacts with Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) producers, PCC products producers, and other materials producers.   Occasional statewide travel is required in order to obtain field .data. and assist with problem solving or perform inspections.

The effectiveness of this position is measured by the incumbent's ability to provide, coordinate, and recommend solutions to technical problems arising in a project environment.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Assists with conducting correlation of field and laboratory test results to ensure the applicability of laboratory developed results to field situations. 
2. Assists with performing inspections of materials producer's products. 
3. Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules. Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees. 
4. Performs other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

Position Requirements

• Valid driver's license
• Completion of high school or GED
• Current enrollment in a college engineering program
• Frequent travel· within the district
• ANSI Class 75, 6" or higher, steel toe safety shoes
• Automobile liability insurance

Position Desirables

• Ability to maintain cooperative relationships with departmental staff
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• knowledge of materials testing and laboratory testing equipment
• Strong computer skills