4 Yr Undergrad Intern I (Engineering Technology and Construction Management Program (SMD & 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 Street Maintenance Division and Transportation Systems (Engineering and Operations) Division.
Street Maintenance Division
The Street Maintenance Division has over 200 employees committed to ensuring Charlotte streets, drainage structures, and sidewalks are in a safe condition. Street Maintenance is divided into three districts: Northwest, Northeast and Southwest. Each district is responsible for a geographic area equal to approximately 1/3 of the city.
Street Maintenance is responsible for:
• Asphalt repair and maintenance.
• Pothole repair.
• Resurfacing.
• Sidewalk repair.
• Storm drains maintenance, repair and debris clean up.
• Winter weather preparedness, emergency response and unscheduled maintenance need.
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 Street Maintenance and Transportation Systems (Engineering & Operations). The following outline is an example of major duties and responsibilities:
Street Maintenance Division
Introduction to the Street Maintenance Division (SMD).
Work with the SMD Planning Section and provide the opportunity to gain knowledge to use and process work orders through the City of Charlotte’s management system.
Introduction to the City’s Resurfacing Program. Gain knowledge on resurfacing prioritization, exposure to budget management, and resurfacing construction management.
Work with the Field Operation Supervisor to develop and maintain work schedules to meet work order needs and productivity targets.
Participate in field operations for street construction, roadway, storm drainage, sidewalk maintenance, and repair projects.
Work in the field with crews for hands-on construction experience in Masonry, Resurfacing, Concrete, and Stormwater.
Complies with work and safety rules, OSHA regulations, and work hazard rules/regulations.
Transportation Systems (Engineering and Operations)
Introduction to the Transportation Systems (Operations) Division.
Work with the Operations section and provide the opportunity to gain knowledge to use and process work orders through the City of Charlotte’s management system.
Work with the Field Operation Supervisor to develop and maintain work schedules to meet work order needs and productivity targets.
Participate in field operations for fiber, traffic, and pedestrian signals, road sign installation, and pavement marking projects.
Work in the field with crews for hands-on construction experience in Sign Fabrication/Sign Installation, Pavement Markings, Loops and Construction, Communication and Locates, and Lab and Aerial.
Complies with work and safety rules, OSHA regulations, and work hazard rules/regulations.
Transportation Systems (Engineering and Operations)
Introduction to the Transportation Systems (Engineering) Division.
Develop, review, coordinate, and implement construction for traffic signals, road signing, and pavement marking plans with the City and external contractors.
Work closely with Operations staff on the installation, maintenance, and modification of elements of the City's traffic management system.
Prepare new and reconfigured traffic signal designs for public and/or private projects.
Prepare traffic signal record plans, ensuring that up-to-date and accurate information is on file for the City's signal system.
Prepare cost estimates, assist in contract preparation, and assist in contract administration.
Perform related work as required, including assisting with maintaining project budgets.
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 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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