Office of the County Engineer Internship Program (OCEIP) - Spring 2027 Intern

Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Internship
Job Number: 17283
Department: Engineering Department
Opening Date: 09/28/2026
Closing Date: 10/28/2026 11:59 PM Central

Position Description
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 department uses innovative, sustainable solutions to ensure every project exceeds expectations and delivers creative, practical results.

The Office of the County Engineer Internship Program (OCEIP), led by Dr. Bashar Ahmed, Chief of Staff, is designed for students aged 18 and over who are pursuing post-secondary opportunities. OCEIP gives students a 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:

• Interns in the Office of the County Engineer Internship Program (OCEIP) will be fully immersed in active project teams and take 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, giving interns guidance from experienced professionals and the tools to build their skills, knowledge, and confidence as they prepare for their future careers.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

If you need special services or accommodations, please call or email

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education:

• Mandatory attendance for the internship period from December 28, 2026, through April 30, 2027.
• Candidates must be currently enrolled (at the time of application) in a college or university working toward a degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Structural), Surveying, GIS, MIS, Computer Science, Urban Development, Construction Management, Business, or Finance.
• Candidates should have completed a minimum of two years of study.
• Candidates must have completed a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours (approximately 4 courses) of coursework specific to their declared major.

Experience:

• Interested students should provide a resume listing classes taken, software competency, and other relevant skills or experience.
• In addition to a completed application, candidates must submit the following:
  • Cover Letter explaining why they chose their field of study, their career goals following graduation, and why they are interested in working for Harris County.
  • Writing Sample.
  • Unofficial Transcript.
  • Letter of Recommendation.
  • Include any additional information, such as previous military service.

Knowledge, Skills, and 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.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications
General Information
COMMITMENT

• Accepted applicants to the Office of the County Engineer Internship Program (OCEIP) are required to work full-time at their designated placement office. Participants are expected to maintain a 40-hour workweek, working 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday, for the duration of the program. Business casual attire is mandatory. All positions are in-person, and applicants must be available for the entire program.

Program Policies:

• Only one applicant per family unit may be accepted for the Spring 2027 cohort.
• Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from their assigned work location. Interns must have reliable transportation; public transportation is encouraged.
• All interns must have a valid driver's license.
• 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 EES. Failure to do so may result in a write-up, and dismissal from the program is at the host site's discretion.

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.
Not Applicable
01

At the time of application, are you currently enrolled in an accredited college or university and actively pursuing a degree?

• Yes
• No

02

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major field of study?

• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• GIS / Geospatial Sciences
• Computer Science / Information Systems / MIS
• Management Information Systems (MIS)
• Construction Management
• Finance
• Urban/ Regional Planning
• Public Administration
• Other
• NA

03

If you selected "Other" in response to the previous question, please list your area of study.
04

Have you completed at least two (2) years of study toward your degree at an accredited college or university?

• Yes
• No

05

Have you successfully completed at least twelve (12) credit hours of major-specific coursework toward your declared major or a closely related field of study?

• Yes
• No

06

What is your current academic classification?

• Freshman
• Sophomore
• Junior
• Senior
• Graduate Student

07

What is your anticipated graduation date? (Month/Year, e.g., December 2027)
08

The internship program runs from December 28, 2026, through April 30, 2027. Are you available to work for the entire duration of the program?

• Yes
• No

Required Question