Position Overview:
The Office of the County Engineer (OCE) is a regional leader in delivering comprehensive and integrated professional services to a diverse range of clients. Our vision is to enhance the built environment, creating new structures that elevate the quality of life for the growing Harris County community.
Our departments—including engineering, architecture, project management, real property assessment/acquisition, and construction services—utilize innovative and sustainable solutions to ensure that every project exceeds expectations and delivers creative, practical results.
The Office of the County Engineer Internship Program (OCEIP), led by Dr. Santa Maria, Chief of Staff, is designed for students aged 18 and over who are pursuing post-secondary opportunities. OCEIP provides students the unique chance to gain hands-on experience in local government, exposing them to real-world programs, policies, and issues. Through this immersion, interns will build the professional skills necessary for their future careers.
Committed to fostering diversity, OCEIP actively recruits students from a wide range of educational, economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds to reflect the diversity of Harris County’s residents. Interns will benefit from leadership training, professional development opportunities, and meaningful work experiences that prepare them for success in the public and private sectors.
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
- Interns in the Office of the County Engineer Internship Program (OCEIP) will be fully immersed in active project teams, taking on meaningful responsibilities across a range of tasks.
- These may include supporting field visits, assisting with design work, engaging in customer service, conducting research, participating in community outreach, and performing administrative or project management duties.
- The program also offers valuable mentoring and professional development opportunities, providing interns with guidance from experienced professionals and the tools needed to grow their skills, knowledge, and confidence as they prepare for their future careers.
Education:
- Candidates must be currently enrolled (at time of application) in a college or university working toward a degree in Engineering (Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, Electrical), Surveying, GIS, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management, Business, Finance, Human Resources, Communications.
- Candidates should have completed a minimum of two years of study.
- Candidates must have completed a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours (4 courses) in courses relative to their chosen major.
Experience:
- Interested students should provide a resume indicating classes taken, software competency, and other associated skills or experiences.
- A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED outlining why they chose their respective field, what they would like to do upon graduation, and why they would like to work for Harris County.
- Writing Sample- completed between August 2024 to present.
- Unofficial Transcript.
- Color Headshot.
- Letter of Recommendation (Must be from a Professor, Previous Employer, and/or Organization Leader).
- Any additional information, such as previous military service, should be included.
Knowledge, Skill & Abilities (KSAs):
- Applicants must be 18 years or older.
- Possess a valid driver’s license.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, using proper grammar and spelling.
- Must be attentive to detail and have effective problem-solving skills.
- Excellent organizational, time management, and customer service skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team and prioritize tasks.
Program Policies:
- Only one applicant per family unit may be accepted for the Spring 2025 cohort.
- Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from their assigned work location.
- Interns must have reliable transportation, with public transportation use encouraged.
- A valid driver’s license is required for all interns.
- Interns are expected to complete the full internship program. Early departure will result in dismissal, and participants must wait one year to reapply.
- Leave requests must be submitted to both the direct supervisor and the HCEIP staff. Failure to do so may result in a write-up, and dismissal from the program is at the host site's discretion.
OCEIP (Spring Internship) Duration:
- Starts on January 13th, 2025, until April 4th, 2025.
Location:
- 1111 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas
Work Hours:
- 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
- Work hours are subject to change and may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Physical Demands:
- Frequent standing and walking; extended periods of sitting.
- Frequent bending, reaching, and lifting items up to 10 pounds, with occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds.
- Regular use of a computer monitor.
- Occasional handling of documents, books, files, and materials.
Working Environment:
- Field visits may require walking on rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
- Interns must be willing to work in various weather conditions during field visits, including exposure to heat, cold, wind, moisture, air pollution, and dust.
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
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