Engineer in Training I, Construction - Denver
Colorado Department of Transportation, Denver, CO, United States
About the Work Unit
The Engineer works in the Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT) Region 1 central section. This unit provides engineering expertise in developing, building, and maintaining a safe and integrated transportation system, overseeing projects for upgrading, reconstructing, and maintaining the highway system with federal, state, and local funds.
About the Position
The Engineer‑in‑Training position is expected to gain engineering expertise and apply engineering theories, principles, and standards to the design and preparation of plans and specifications for highway projects. The role will also ensure quality construction by supervising, inspecting, testing, and documenting work on highway construction projects and verifying compliance with contract plans and specifications. As the selected candidate gains knowledge and experience, there is opportunity for advancement.
Responsibilities
Assists the Construction Project Engineer (approx. 35% of time) with detailed measurements of field quantities, independent checks for computerized project pay estimates, and driving to project sites for observation and inspection.
Performs Construction Inspection under guidance of the Project Engineer (approx. 50% of time), conduct field inspections of construction methods, procedures, and materials to ensure compliance with plans, specifications, and engineering details; records measurements and maintains a daily diary of contractor activities and materials.
Provides project design assistance in the office (approx. 15% of time) under a licensed professional engineer, applying engineering principles, design specifications, and federal, state, and local design standards to develop safe, efficient, and economical designs for new construction or reconstruction of roadways, intersections, bridges, culverts, signs, and pavement markings.
Applies engineering software to develop project plans and assist in evaluating survey information, culvert reports, traffic studies, site conditions, and environmental constraints.
Assists with inspection and certification of contractor equipment, materials, methods, workmanship, and product conformance to contract plans and specifications.
Assembles data, calculations, figures, reports, and diaries for project records; checks calculations and tabulated quantities under supervision.
Includes appropriate Standard and Special Project Specifications in the PS&E submittal and ensures plan quality checks to avoid or limit errors in design standards and human factors.
Tracks construction and contract budgets, generates spend‑down information for each contract, and supports required financial reporting, including updating the federal financial plan and preparing monthly updates.
Assists with tracking project activities, drafts Contract Change Orders/Minor Contract Revisions, letters, and construction engineering memos, and maintains organized filing systems for easy access to documents.
Abides by all safety regulations, policies, and procedures and wears required personal protective equipment; attends and completes all required safety training.
Performs other job duties as assigned.
Work Environment
Generally daytime hours, Monday–Friday; night and/or weekend work may be required during the construction season (April–November).
Drives to and from the field office daily and to progress meetings during the design phase.
May require overnight travel to work out of town for the duration of certain projects.
Performs field construction inspections and works outdoors frequently.
Required to drive CDOT vehicles.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering or engineering technology (accepts May 2026 graduates; transcripts must show the degree is conferred on or before the date of hire).
Current enrollment as an Engineer Intern by the Colorado Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors, OR current, valid licensure as a Professional Engineer from the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers, and Professional Land Surveyors.
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the responsibilities section.
Years of State service experience related to the duties of this position.
Highest work/personal ethics and integrity.
Knowledge and experience with civil engineering design and construction for transportation projects.
Knowledge of CDOT Materials Manual, CDOT Roadway Design Manual, CDOT Project Development Manual, CDOT Construction Manual, CDOT Standards & Specifications Manual for Road and Bridge Construction, CDOT Field Materials Manual, CM/GC Manual, CDOT PEL Manual, AASHTO Roadside Design Guide, and MUTCD.
Maintains current working knowledge of engineering processes, theories, laws, principles, conceptual models, and best practices.
Interest in working on Construction Management/General Contractor (CM/GC) projects.
Ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and projects in a demanding environment.
Ability to work under tight deadlines and adapt to changing assignments.
Ability to solve problems innovatively and take initiative.
Ability to work with general public, professional consultants, and staff, with sensitivity to their needs and commitments.
Excellent interpersonal, relationship building, time, and project management skills.
Excellent analytical, investigative, and problem‑solving ability.
Excellent facilitation, presentation, and communication skills, both written and oral.
Strong attention to technical detail and accuracy.
Passion for safety.
Ability to work effectively in both independent and team situations.
Desire to perform field construction inspections and work outdoors.
Desire to progress through the EIT program to become a Licensed Engineer, managing inspectors, testers, and ensuring contractors follow plans and specifications on capital improvement and asset‑management construction projects.
Fluency in MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project, Project Wise, Open Roads, In Roads, Gmail, Google Suite, SAP, and the ability to quickly learn other software systems.
Benefits
CDOT employees receive competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, PERA retirement, a generous paid‑time off package (annual, sick, holiday, and other leave), strong career growth, tuition reimbursement, and professional development. Employees also enjoy perks such as the Colorado Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP) counseling, wellness, credit union membership, and employee discount program.
Equal Opportunity & EEO Statement
The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non‑discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.
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The Engineer works in the Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT) Region 1 central section. This unit provides engineering expertise in developing, building, and maintaining a safe and integrated transportation system, overseeing projects for upgrading, reconstructing, and maintaining the highway system with federal, state, and local funds.
About the Position
The Engineer‑in‑Training position is expected to gain engineering expertise and apply engineering theories, principles, and standards to the design and preparation of plans and specifications for highway projects. The role will also ensure quality construction by supervising, inspecting, testing, and documenting work on highway construction projects and verifying compliance with contract plans and specifications. As the selected candidate gains knowledge and experience, there is opportunity for advancement.
Responsibilities
Assists the Construction Project Engineer (approx. 35% of time) with detailed measurements of field quantities, independent checks for computerized project pay estimates, and driving to project sites for observation and inspection.
Performs Construction Inspection under guidance of the Project Engineer (approx. 50% of time), conduct field inspections of construction methods, procedures, and materials to ensure compliance with plans, specifications, and engineering details; records measurements and maintains a daily diary of contractor activities and materials.
Provides project design assistance in the office (approx. 15% of time) under a licensed professional engineer, applying engineering principles, design specifications, and federal, state, and local design standards to develop safe, efficient, and economical designs for new construction or reconstruction of roadways, intersections, bridges, culverts, signs, and pavement markings.
Applies engineering software to develop project plans and assist in evaluating survey information, culvert reports, traffic studies, site conditions, and environmental constraints.
Assists with inspection and certification of contractor equipment, materials, methods, workmanship, and product conformance to contract plans and specifications.
Assembles data, calculations, figures, reports, and diaries for project records; checks calculations and tabulated quantities under supervision.
Includes appropriate Standard and Special Project Specifications in the PS&E submittal and ensures plan quality checks to avoid or limit errors in design standards and human factors.
Tracks construction and contract budgets, generates spend‑down information for each contract, and supports required financial reporting, including updating the federal financial plan and preparing monthly updates.
Assists with tracking project activities, drafts Contract Change Orders/Minor Contract Revisions, letters, and construction engineering memos, and maintains organized filing systems for easy access to documents.
Abides by all safety regulations, policies, and procedures and wears required personal protective equipment; attends and completes all required safety training.
Performs other job duties as assigned.
Work Environment
Generally daytime hours, Monday–Friday; night and/or weekend work may be required during the construction season (April–November).
Drives to and from the field office daily and to progress meetings during the design phase.
May require overnight travel to work out of town for the duration of certain projects.
Performs field construction inspections and works outdoors frequently.
Required to drive CDOT vehicles.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering or engineering technology (accepts May 2026 graduates; transcripts must show the degree is conferred on or before the date of hire).
Current enrollment as an Engineer Intern by the Colorado Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors, OR current, valid licensure as a Professional Engineer from the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers, and Professional Land Surveyors.
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the responsibilities section.
Years of State service experience related to the duties of this position.
Highest work/personal ethics and integrity.
Knowledge and experience with civil engineering design and construction for transportation projects.
Knowledge of CDOT Materials Manual, CDOT Roadway Design Manual, CDOT Project Development Manual, CDOT Construction Manual, CDOT Standards & Specifications Manual for Road and Bridge Construction, CDOT Field Materials Manual, CM/GC Manual, CDOT PEL Manual, AASHTO Roadside Design Guide, and MUTCD.
Maintains current working knowledge of engineering processes, theories, laws, principles, conceptual models, and best practices.
Interest in working on Construction Management/General Contractor (CM/GC) projects.
Ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and projects in a demanding environment.
Ability to work under tight deadlines and adapt to changing assignments.
Ability to solve problems innovatively and take initiative.
Ability to work with general public, professional consultants, and staff, with sensitivity to their needs and commitments.
Excellent interpersonal, relationship building, time, and project management skills.
Excellent analytical, investigative, and problem‑solving ability.
Excellent facilitation, presentation, and communication skills, both written and oral.
Strong attention to technical detail and accuracy.
Passion for safety.
Ability to work effectively in both independent and team situations.
Desire to perform field construction inspections and work outdoors.
Desire to progress through the EIT program to become a Licensed Engineer, managing inspectors, testers, and ensuring contractors follow plans and specifications on capital improvement and asset‑management construction projects.
Fluency in MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project, Project Wise, Open Roads, In Roads, Gmail, Google Suite, SAP, and the ability to quickly learn other software systems.
Benefits
CDOT employees receive competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, PERA retirement, a generous paid‑time off package (annual, sick, holiday, and other leave), strong career growth, tuition reimbursement, and professional development. Employees also enjoy perks such as the Colorado Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP) counseling, wellness, credit union membership, and employee discount program.
Equal Opportunity & EEO Statement
The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non‑discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.
#J-18808-Ljbffr