Civil or Environmental Engineering Co-op Intern
About The Position
SWCA is seeking enthusiastic Civil or Environmental Engineering Co-ops (HR Title: Intern – Engineering) to join our Spring 2027 team in Chicago, IL. This role offers a dynamic mix of office and field experience, giving you the chance to collaborate with talented, multi-disciplinary engineering professionals. As an Engineering Co-op, you will apply your passion for civil or environmental engineering in real-world projects, while building critical skills in communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. We are looking for students with a positive attitude, eagerness to learn, flexibility, and strong collaboration skills. Your role will be filled with exciting challenges and hands-on projects, running from January 4th, 2027 until April 23rd 2027. This is a paid, 40-hour/week co-op with a competitive rate of $24/hour. Preference will be given to candidates located in the Chicago, IL area; however, qualified candidates residing in Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Indiana will also be considered. Please submit a cover letter to be considered for this position. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified. This position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established.
Requirements
- Currently enrolled in a college or university, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering, or a related field.
- Completed their first year of their engineering curriculum.
- Enrollment in a co-op program integrated into your university curriculum is required.
- Ability to travel to the field approximately 50% of the time, including spending up to a week or two at a project location.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle in remote or backcountry conditions.
- Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and meet SWCA's driver requirements.
- This position may require domestic travel, including travel by commercial airline. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain all valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel throughout the duration of employment.
- Adheres to the safety program and looks out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree candidates will also be considered; Ph.D. candidates are not eligible through this program.
- Students who have completed at least their sophomore year in college/university are highly preferred.
- Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D through coursework, projects, co-op experience, or volunteer work.
- Familiarity with GPS devices, digital data collection, and mapping software such as ArcGIS.
- Experience with technical writing or preparing reports.
Responsibilities
- Support project managers and field lead in various engineering projects (stream restoration, wetland restoration, site grading, stormwater management, inspections, etc.).
- Engage in office tasks such as data clean-up, reporting, and other tasks supporting the Engineering team.
- Conduct fieldwork across office locations and nearby states, including hiking for extended periods.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and independently when required.
Benefits
- paid wellness time
- opportunities to build technical skills and gain experience across a variety of environmental projects
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
