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Seeds Student Worker Program

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MnDOT's Seeds Program provides paid college-level student worker positions to highly motivated minority or economically disadvantaged college students, students who are recently separated veterans, students with disabilities or female students in S.T.E.M or non-tradition fields of study.

About

Seeds signature directional sign

Seeds is not an acronym, but a concept for MnDOT growing its own workforce talent. The program is stylized by four icons and its signature multidirectional graphic. The icons include a graduation cap, multiple hands, a growing plant, and the State of Minnesota that reflect the programs focus of students, diversity, MnDOT’s efforts to grow and develop its own talent, and the agencies commitment to the State of Minnesota. The multidirectional graphic which lists the words Students, Exploring, Expanding and Developing, represents the many career directions students can pursue.

MnDOT launched the Seeds Program in 1993 to help the workforce better reflect the communities MnDOT serves. Since then MnDOT has placed many successful program students into permanent, full-time positions.

As a participant in this program, students will gain firsthand knowledge and experience by working in the real world with professionals in a variety of fields. Day-to-day opportunities include participating in meetings and training classes, as well as networking with industry professionals in your chosen field of study.

To be considered for this program you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Must be a college level student in one of the following categories:
    • minority *
    • recently separated veteran **
    • student with a disability ***
    • female student in S.T.E.M or non-tradition field of study ****
    • economically disadvantaged *****
  • Be legally eligible to work in the United States
  • Be a student at a college, university, technical or trade school taking a minimum of six semester credits or nine quarter credits
  • Be in pursuit of a major related to MnDOT’s needs:
    • Accounting/Finance
    • Business Administration/Management
    • Computer-aided Design/Drafting
    • Chemistry/Materials Science
    • Civil Engineering/Civil Technology
    • Communications/Graphic Design
    • Geography/Geographic Information Systems
    • Human Resources
    • Information Technology
    • Law/Paralegal
    • Planning
    • Surveying
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (3.0 for engineering majors)
  • Have at least one year or more left before graduation

* A minority student is defined as an individual who identifies themselves as an ethnic person of color.

** A recently separated veteran is defined as a veteran who has served in active military duty, on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and has been honorably discharged as shown on their DD214.

*** An individual with a disability is defined as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of such impairment; or is regarded as having such impairment.

**** A female student in STEM or non-traditional field is defined as a person who identifies as female studying either science, technology, engineering or math fields. Non-tradition refers to labor intensive fields.

***** If applying under the Economically Disadvantaged criteria, please review income verification details as part of your application.

Student worker level positions start at $15 per hour and senior level positions start at $16.08 per hour. Student worker levels are determined based on the students’ qualifications, experience, and year of study.

Students who are employed for six months or more may be eligible for the following:

  • Vacation time (may not be used during the first six months of employment)
  • Holiday pay
  • Sick leave
  • Mentoring program

Students may work up to 20 hours during the school year and 40 hours during summer and school breaks.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Minnesota has suspended the hiring process for the below job openings until further notice.