Internship: Transportation/Public Works

Hennepin County•Hennepin County, MN

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Hennepin County Public Works is seeking to fill multiple non-benefit earning internships. These positions will be a part of the Design, Bridge, Construction, Planning, Traffic and Asset Management divisions. Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit employee referral program. These positions are limited duration, non-benefit earning internships. These positions are internally classified as an Intern II. Applicants are encouraged to attach a current resume.

Requirements

Must be in one of the following: Enrollment for the 2026-2027 academic school year in a vocational/technical or undergraduate degree program in civil engineering, construction, geography, Geographic Information System (GIS), land surveying/highway engineering technology, data science, urban planning/studies or another related field.
Recent graduate (within 6 months) in a vocational/technical or an undergraduate degree program in civil engineering, construction, geography, Geographic Information System (GIS), land surveying/highway engineering technology, data science, urban planning/studies or another related field.
A valid driver's license and the ability to obtain a Hennepin County driver's permit.
Reliable internet connection and self-support hybrid office space.

Nice To Haves

Troubleshooting basic computer issues with efficiency and accuracy.
Working with Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Suite, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, CAD, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access), Microstation/AutoCAD, and/or Synchro/SimTraffic.
Math functions such as arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.
Python, ArcPy or Arcade languages.
Walk on uneven terrain; bend and stoop; work outdoors in all types of weather conditions.
Communicate with staff at all levels of the organization, in person, via email and phone.

Responsibilities

Support design teams with CAD drawings, plan preparation, modeling, and basic engineering calculations.
Collaborate with teams across the design division - including transportation, water resources, traffic, bidding, and specifications on various engineering tasks.
Participate in field visits, job shadowing, and attending project coordination meetings to gain exposure to Public Works and Hennepin County operations.
Assist with completing an audit of the County’s municipal stormwater program.
Contribute to research on a relevant engineering topic and present key findings to the design division.
Develop hands-on experience in design workflows and present key internship takeaways and acquired skills at the conclusion of the program.
Support project managers and design staff through data gathering, documentation, and coordination activities.
Support the development and modification of technical drawings and documents for bridges and retaining walls.
Review and interpret engineering plans, details, codes, and standards to assist project teams.
Assist with quantity take-offs, cost estimates, and engineering calculations under close supervision.
Contribute to Hennepin County’s annual bridge inspection program.
Conduct research using technical drawings, standards, and engineering references to support project documentation.
Aid in preparing computations, technical reports, and drafting tasks.
Update and maintain the GIS database for retaining wall inventory.
Assist in construction surveying, inspection activities, and contract administration.
Support materials testing and soils investigations under the guidance of engineering staff.
Perform and verify quantity calculations to support project documentation and cost tracking.
Enter data into software applications and generate required outputs.
Document field activities, summarize findings, and assist in routine report preparation.
Contribute to data management by maintaining accurate project records and activity logs.
Collaborate with project teams to ensure quality control and adherence to construction standards.
Assist with developing CAD drawings for pavement restriping concepts.
Compile quantity takeoffs from completed plans in preparation for year-end metrics reporting.
Researching low-cost, high-impact safety improvements that can be utilized across the county to improve safety for all road users.
Conduct data analysis, create crash diagrams, and contribute toward before-after-research involving transportation safety in Hennepin County.
Assist with GIS mapping, crash data analysis, and application development for the upcoming Regional Solicitation and Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Solicitation.
Support the Capital Project Prioritization process with work tasks such as updating guidelines, developing materials for the Technical Work Group, and preparing documents for project scoping.
Archive project documentation for the Capital Budget preparation.
Collect, process, and analyze traffic data.
Perform traffic detection accuracy validation.
Monitor real-time traffic conditions through traffic cameras.
Observe operation of traffic signal detection and controller systems.
Assist in the maintenance of coordinated signal timing operations.
Assist in organizing documents and database related to the operation of traffic signals.
Create sketches of intersections and collect measurements of turn lanes.
Support IT to help resolve communication network issues.
Assist with plan production using OpenRoads and support project estimates, specifications, and related documentation.
Collect and verify transportation, environmental, and pavement asset data in the field using GPS, cellular, or vehicle technology, following established guidelines.
Support GIS mapping and data management tasks, including creating dashboards, static maps, and conducting data analysis.
Compile, process, and document physical and digital data to develop metrics, perform cost analyses, and prepare routine reports.
Gain hands-on experience within the Asset Management Division through fieldwork, job shadowing, and presenting key internship learnings at the conclusion of the program.