Job Details

Position Information

TxDOT's Houston District, the largest district in the agency, is seeking highly motivated Engineering Graduates that have an interest in pavement design or materials engineering. TxDOT offers a comprehensive career development program to prepare engineering graduates to earn their professional engineering license, including training, exam prep courses, networking and mentoring.

While successful candidates will start in the District Lab where pavement design and materials engineering are key focused areas, rotation to other transportation disciplines in the district, such as construction, roadway design, bridge design or traffic engineering will be required as part of the career development program.

We invite you to explore this opportunity to join TxDOT's Houston District, which will offer challenging and rewarding assignments aimed at fostering your professional growth in the transportation field.

The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of position based on the applicant's work experience, education, skill level and all other appropriate factors, and based on business needs.

Benefits and Perks

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Position Description

Engineering Assistant I, II, and III

Performs engineering work. Work involves job rotation, training and continuing education in design, construction, construction inspection, maintenance, surveying, environmental and transportation operations-related activities with the intent to actively pursue engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams. Design activity is supervised by a licensed professional engineer who has authority for final approval of all projects. Work requires contact with local governmental representatives, engineering contractors and private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

NOTE: All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the Engineering Assistant Career Development program. Participation in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program (EACDP) required that employees sign a Program Agreement, which outlines employee responsibilities and service time commitment.

Essential Duties:

Engineering Assistant I

• Actively prepares for professional engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams and completion/maintenance of required documentation.
• Applies engineering principles, methods and techniques to a wide variety of transportation-related activities.
• Collects engineering data at project sites.
• Participates in Career Development for the Engineering Assistants program which includes job rotation, training and continuing education.
• Performs construction inspection and material sampling/testing.
• Performs design computations and plan preparations to include preparing plan sheets for construction projects.
• Performs engineering-related planning, design, data collection, evaluation and analysis activities.
• Uses automated roadway/structural/hydraulic design programs and computer-assisted design/engineering systems.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Engineering Assistant II

The following job duties are in addition to those listed under Engineering Assistant I:

• Performs engineering calculations for plan quantities as part of PS&E preparation activities.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Engineering Assistant III

The following job duties are in addition to those listed under Engineering Assistant I & II:

• Creates detailed PS&E.
• Performs advanced and specialized engineering design work.
• Performs engineering-related duties in the field of transportation engineering.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Engineering Assistant I, II, and III

• • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related science bachelor's or higher degree accepted by TX PELS is required for all levels.

Acceptable Substitutions :

• • • Master's degree in engineering or a Master of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree, in the same discipline, which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.
    • Doctoral degree in engineering or a doctor of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree, in the same discipline, which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) may substitute for a Bachelor's degree

Experience :

Engineering Assistant I

• • None

Engineering Assistant II

• • 1 year of engineering related experience. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent)

Engineering Assistant III

• • 2 years of engineering related experience. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent)
    • Acceptable Substitution : Passing Professional Engineer (PE) exam prior to obtaining requisite experience for gaining PE licensure may substitute for two (2) years of engineering related work experience

Licenses and Certifications :

Engineering Assistant I, II, and III

• • Valid driver's license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Engineering Assistant II and III

• • Texas Engineer in Training Certificate (EIT)

Competencies:

Engineering Assistant I

• • Transportation engineering terminology and fundamentals
  • Transportation design engineering principles, practices and methods and the application of engineering theory
  • Engineering designs
  • Applicable plans, specifications and estimates preparation, review, processing and compliance requirements
  • Materials used in highway/bridge construction and maintenance
  • Highway construction and maintenance
  • Using engineering workstations and applications of engineering technology
  • Training in a classroom, office, and field environment
  • Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities
  • Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that support business objectives and goals

Engineering Assistant II & III

The following expected knowledge in competencies, are in addition to those listed under EA I:

• • Applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations specific to area of responsibility for safeguarding information and information technology related systems

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

Engineering Assistant I, II, and III

• • Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes
  • Subject to noise
  • Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs.
  • Stooping - bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist

Conditions of Employment:

Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation - 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) - does not authorize "medical marijuana" under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
• All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the EA program. Participation in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program (EACDP) requires that employees sign a Program Agreement, which outlines employee responsibilities and service time commitment. Failure to comply with all terms of the Program Agreement will result in reclassification .