Engineering Intern-Public Services

Description/Distinguishing Features

The City of Kalamazoo Public Works Division is comprised of professional engineers and technicians who design, inspect, and maintain infrastructure in the City. Staff focus on building and maintaining safe, efficient, and long-lasting infrastructure in Kalamazoo. The Division is responsible for street improvements and maintenance, sidewalks, snow and ice removal, forestry and leaf pickup, traffic signs and signals, the snowmelt system, and right-of-way permitting. 

The Division maintains and operates 97 miles of major and 166 miles of local streets, 20 bridges, over 15,517 signs, 134 traffic signals, and 4 flashing beacons. The City provides routine maintenance services, including snow and ice removal for Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) state trunklines within the City limits. The City also maintain traffic signals and flashing beacons for the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County.

Summary

City of Kalamazoo Public Works internships are available to currently enrolled students who are, at a minimum, entering their third year (junior year) of studies in a higher education program in the Civil, Environmental, Traffic, Transportation, or Construction Engineering field. Recently graduated students (within 1 year) or graduate students will also be accepted. Interns can obtain real world experience, valuable knowledge, and gain an introduction to the municipal engineering career field. The exposure to construction management, technical plan interpretation, construction budgets and accounting, inspection, public and contractor relations, and municipal government provides valuable understanding for future engineers in both the public or private sectors who work with local government to maintain and improve infrastructure.

Examples of Duties

Interns will learn and perform the following essential functions, and others, as determined by projects underway during their internship period.

• Assist project engineers and managers with project designs.
• Inspect project construction, which may include but is not limited to:
  1. Recording of quantities.
  2. Monitoring progress of construction schedules.
  3. Inspecting work to ensure it is done in accordance with specifications and bid documents.
  4. Inspecting traffic control devices and items concerning public safety.
• Interact with contractors, consultants, and the public to answer questions and provide information on projects.
• Review drawings and specifications for accuracy and completion.
• Research and develop strategies for future year projects.
• Gather quantities for project development and bid packages.
• Coordinate work with right-of-way (ROW) supervisor and inspect work within ROW.
• Use computer programs, and specialized software including the Microsoft suite of programs; enter data, create and update databases, create drawings, and spreadsheets.
• Participate in developing and revisioning manuals, policies, and procedures.
• Perform related duties as required.
• Prepare reports

Essential Qualifications

Interns will have or be familiar with the following skills and qualifications.

Essential Qualifications

Intern candidates must:

1. Have and exhibit excellent communication and people skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, and the public.
2. Have a thorough understanding and experience with Microsoft OS and Microsoft Applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
3. Have strong background and experience in time management, problem solving, written and verbal communication.
4. Must be detail oriented.

Desired Skills

The following skills are highly desirable in Intern candidates:

1. Computer-aided design skills in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or equivalent is a plus, as is knowledge of Microsoft Project or Primavera P6.
2. GIS (geographic information system) experience and knowledge. (RoadSoft knowledge is a plus)
3. Transportation or traffic related studies or experience.
4. Studies related to civil engineering materials, construction materials, or roadway design.
5. General organizational skills.

Acceptable Training and Experience

Required Education & Experience

• Intern applicants must be a currently enrolled junior, senior or a graduate student within 1-year of completing a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from an accredited university with major course work in Civil, Environmental, Traffic, Transportation, or Construction Engineering.

Professional Development 

Interns will have the opportunity to engage in professional development opportunities including but not limited to: (some development opportunities may be limited due to offering institutions’ schedules)

• Opportunity to obtain possible certifications and attend seminars.
• Developing professional skills including: formal communication, invitation-for-bid package creation, project estimation, and verbal and oral communication with contractors and the public.
• Learning construction inspection skills and construction means and methods.
• Developing skills in technical plan interpretation and review.
• Experiencing using federal, state, and local design guidance, manuals, and requirements to develop projects, inspect construction, and design infrastructure for the municipality.
• Attending professional association meetings.
• Introduction to municipal civil engineering fields to include water, wastewater, street, and stormwater work.