4 Yr Undergrad Intern I (DSD & E&O Internship) at Charlottenc
Charlottenc · Charlotte, United States Of America · Onsite
- Office in Charlotte
Close Date: Tuesday, December 02, 2025 12:00 AM
Department: Transportation Department
Apprentice/Internships
Salary: $19.00 - $20.00 Commensurate with Experience
Welcome to the City of Charlotte
Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.
Our guiding principles include:
Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce
Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development
Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services
Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems
Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions
SUMMARY
The internship position will work directly in the Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) divisions to develop and gain hands-on experience to implement transportation projects in the field of transportation. These exposures and real-world assignments will allow students to gain technical and professional experience in the field of transportation while learning about CDOT and how the department support the residents of Charlotte.This internship position will work with the Development Services Division and Transportation Systems (Engineering and Operations) Division.
Development Services Division
The Development Services Division works with developers and utility providers to accommodate growth and development while maintaining mobility. The division also works with event organizers to ensure safe and successful use of the public rights-of-way and consists of two sections: Land Development and Right-of-Way Management.
Transportation Systems (Engineering and Operations) Division
The Engineering and Operations Division designs, installs, operates, and maintains traffic and pedestrian signals, road signs, and pavement markings. The division is also responsible for vehicle and pedestrian safety through the city’s Vision Zero program. It focuses on design and operation for all users (motorists, transit riders, pedestrians, and bicyclists) of the transportation system to create a balanced system that provides managed traffic flow and promotes a walkable and sustainable community.
CDOT’s internships build a solid foundation that provide students with the tools, resources, and employer references to become competitive in the application process for future transportation-related positions.
This internship will involve both fieldwork and in-office responsibilities and may last up to one year. CDOT will collaborate with the selected candidate to align the work schedule with their academic commitments.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
This internship will reside in the Development Services Division and Transportation Systems (Engineering & Operations). The following outline is an example of major duties and responsibilities:
Development Services Division
Introduction to the Development Services Division
Coordinates work on assigned projects within CDOT, with other City Departments, contractors, utility companies, and governmental agencies
Reviews/prepares traffic control designs and monitors work zones so they are compliant with the WATCH.
Responds to citizens’ requests, concerns, and complaints.
Issues public notices for street and lane closures
Inspects compliance with approved plans/permits.
Assures compliance of City utility installation guidelines (Standards and Provisions)
Resolves subsurface and above-surface issues.
Schedules and coordinates construction projects with utility companies
Coordinates schedules with other events and activities in construction
After completion of the project, inspections are made to confirm restoration has been made to planting strips, sidewalks, and pavement. Also, confirm no damage to other above-ground facilities or infrastructure.
Reviews construction plans for encroachment and right-of-way lease agreements; assists in resolving problems; coordinates improvements; conducts pre-construction conferences.
Transportation Systems (Engineering and Operations)
Introduction to the Transportation Systems (Engineering) Division.
Work with the Implementation section and provide the opportunity to gain knowledge to use and process work orders through the City of Charlotte’s management system.
Work with Construction Coordinator to develop and maintain work schedules to meet work order needs and productivity targets.
Review project plans to identify signal utility conflicts and coordinate their design and resolution for both public and private projects.
Learn to prepare Developer’s Signal Agreements to accommodate mitigation of signal impacts by third parties.
Review proposed traffic control designs/devices, recommend alternatives within the guidelines of the Department’s design standards with the goal to minimize utility conflicts and to assess right-of-way needs.
Learn about the signal design manual & MUTCD to design and install proposed signals using AutoCAD.
Monitor traffic control on all assigned projects.
Coordinate work on assigned projects within CDOT, with other City Departments, private developers, contractors, utility companies, and governmental agencies.
Coordinate with Duke Energy and prepare meter service requests.
Learn to prepare plans and work orders for City crews or contractors to complete traffic control, signals, signs, and pavement marking projects.
Prepare task orders, request Purchase Orders, and review invoices for work performed by CDOT contractors.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Must be a currently enrolled Sophomore, Junior, or Senior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Preferred QUALIFICATIONS:
Ability to start in the spring 2026 semester
Currently pursuing a degree in civil engineering, engineering technology, or construction management
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Ability to learn and demonstrate hands-on technical skills in the transportation field.
Ability to demonstrate time-management and project management skills.
Ability to demonstrate professional communication skills in a team environment.
Ability to take on new challenges.
Ability to learn OSHA, City, and Federal rules and regulations, as well as work hazards and applicable safety precautions of the assigned work.
Ability to learn about traffic control devices and appropriate uses. Gain knowledge and experience using the City of Charlotte WATCH Manual and MUTCD
Ability to learn customer and personal services including customer need’s assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Ability to learn construction knowledge of materials, methods, tools, and procedures used in the construction and maintenance of streets.
Ability to learn about troubleshooting and determining causes of operating errors and identifying corrective actions and/or preventative actions.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.
Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.
Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.
The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.
Our culture is to serve the community honorably.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online.
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.
You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.
For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email [email protected].
The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.
BENEFITS
The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.
Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.
The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.
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