Engineering Trainee (Part-Time Benefited) - Department of Transportation)

Salary : $62,899.20 - $76,481.60 Annually
Location : San Jose Metropolitan Area
Job Type: Part-Time
Job Number: 202601863
DEPART: Transportation
Opening Date: 11/10/2026
Closing Date: 11/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San Jos, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San Jos employees work together as one team to make San Jos a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San Jos.

The City of San Jos is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San Jos is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at , 711 (TTY), or via email at
About the Department
The Department of Transportation (DOT) plans, develops, operates, and maintains transportation facilities, services, and related systems which contribute to the livability and economic health of the City. We comprise a team of more than 500 people ready to serve the needs of our residents to improve the efficiency and safety of San Jos streets. We are an energetic and innovative team that is improving transportation in the nation's 10th largest city, while focusing on safety, sustainability, and active public life! For more information about DOT, visit

This internship will be with the Infrastructure Maintenance (IM) division whose main goal is to operate and maintain the City's transportation infrastructure that promotes a safe, cost-effective, efficient, multimodal, and environmentally sound transportation infrastructure system.

Within the Infrastructure Maintenance division, the position will be specifically with the Sanitary & Storm Sewer Maintenance Section. The Engineering Trainee will work out of the Mabury Yard to support day-to-day operations of the Sewer Engineering Group. The Engineering Trainee will learn to collect data to solve engineering problems and to work in a structural team environment.

Position Duties
The Department of Transportation is currently seeking to fill one (1) Engineering Trainee vacancy in the Infrastructure Maintenance division. If you are interested in employment in these classifications, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Responsibilities of Engineering Trainees may include, but are not limited to, assisting with the following:

• Maintaining engineering data from the City's various maintenance databases (upkeep of database, entering new inventory, history, and condition information)
• Perform field investigations and inspections including taking pictures, field measurements, and recording observation to support engineering or maintenance staff
• Researching as-built plans, engineering records, and right of way records
• Read and interpret engineering plans
• Support day-to-day maintenance activities, data analysis, mapping and application support for GIS needs
• Assist in the collection, management, and maintenance of geographic data (both spatial and attribute) pertaining to a variety of Sanitary and Storm Sewer maintenance related needs
• Support Engineering staff with technical and data as required
• Perform additional sub-professional duties as needed

More information on the typical duties can be found in the Class Specifications for

Minimum Qualifications
Education: Successful completion of high school, General Education Development (G.E.D.) Certificate, or California Proficiency Certificate and current enrollment in an accredited college or university with a major in Civil Engineering or a closely related field.

Experience: No minimum requirement.

Acceptable Substitutions: None.

Other Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

• Job Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
• Communication Skills: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
• Constructive Energies: A demonstration of energy and drive that comes from within, and a willingness to approach all aspects of work with a generally positive attitude; possessing the inclination to take appropriate action rather than waiting to be told what to do; examples of Constructive Energies include but are not limited to: enthusiasm, honesty, integrity, empathy, dedication, reliable, proactive, respectful, confidence, ethical, and a willingness to help others
• Computer Skills: Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.
• Customer Service: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
• Problem Solving: Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.
• Reliability: Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.
• Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills: Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

RESOURCES: If you need assistance with the online application system, please contact Human Resources (either by phone or in person). If you do not have access to a computer or the internet, there are computers for your use in the lobby of Human Resources.

City of San Jos - Human Resources

200 East Santa Clara Street

4th Floor, Tower

San Jose, CA 95113

Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)


If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Keana Tran at
Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.
Part-time positions(less than 40 hours per week) are required to participate in the City's PTC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan per Federal regulations. Employees are required to contribute 3.75% of gross earning and the City contributes a matching amount of 3.75%. The funds contributed by the City are 100% vested upon initial deferral and will be held in a stability of principal investment. This plan is in lieu of social security and does not include any healthcare benefits or contributions.

Part-time employees may elect to contribute additional retirement savings through the City's Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Additional Information on both plans can be found on the
01

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect the candidate's own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

• Yes, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above statement regarding the use of AI in the application and interview process.

02

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School Diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• College (1 to 29 semester units/ 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units/ 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units/ 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units/ 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units/ 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• Other
• None of the above

03

As a minimum requirement, applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university with a major in Civil Engineering or closely related field. Please state your field of study and the accredited college or university.
04

Tell us about your engineering degree program, including an area of study or coursework that you have found particularly interesting or challenging. What initially drew you to engineering, and how has your experience in the program influenced your career interests?
05

Please describe your experience with the following Microsoft applications: Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and ArcGIS and how you have used them through your coursework, projects, internships, or employment? Identify the programs you are most comfortable using, how you have used them, and describe a specific task or project where you applied those skills.
06

Please explain a recent class project, work assignment, or other experience where you had to collaborate with others to complete a shared task or achieve a goal. How did you communicate with team members, coordinate responsibilities, and ensure everyone remained informed? In your response should include where you gained the experience (project, employer, and/or position).
Required Question