Civil Engineering Student Worker Program

MnDOT’s Civil Engineering Student Worker Program (CEP) is a summer program designed for college students majoring in a civil engineering discipline or land surveying. Students are placed in a functional area of the agency to work alongside MnDOT professionals on current civil engineering or land surveying projects while gaining an understanding of how their work impacts the communities MnDOT serves.

Program highlights

Hands-on experience working with MnDOT professionals
Mid-point performance evaluation
Supportive team of supervisors and mentors to help students realize their career goals
Training and development opportunities to expand skill sets
Field trips to see other functional areas of MnDOT

Students may be able to continue working at MnDOT throughout the school year. Students entering their final year of college can apply for MnDOT’s Graduate Engineer and Land Surveyor Program for potential placement upon graduation.

Download the CEP program flyer (PDF).

To be eligible for the Civil Engineering Student Worker Program, students must:

Enrolled in an undergraduate program, pursuing a degree in Civil, Construction, Geo, Structural, or Environmental Engineering or Land Surveying with two or more classes per semester/quarter
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Applicant must be legally eligible for employment in the United States

CEP is open to all qualified applicants. Members of diverse groups are encouraged to apply. No prior transportation-related work experience is required for the program.

CEP students must pursue a degree in land surveying or a civil engineering discipline, including:

Civil Engineering
Construction Engineering
Structural Engineering
Geoengineering
Environmental Engineering

Priority is given to students completing their junior year, but sophomores and freshmen may also apply. Students who are about to graduate in a field listed above should consider applying for the Graduate Engineer and Land Surveyor Training Program.

CEP students are hired as either a Student Worker Paraprofessional or a Student Worker Paraprofessional Sr., depending on their level of education and experience. As of July 1, 2026:

Student Worker Paraprofessional pay rate is $18.15 - $21.26 per hour
Student Worker Paraprofessional Sr. pay rate is $20.20 - $24.02 per hour

CEP students are hired as a cohort that starts in May (or after spring classes conclude). Students typically work up to 40 hours per week throughout the summer, with some positions requiring overtime hours. The program concludes in August before classes resume in the fall.

The Civil Engineering Student Worker Program hires students for positions across Minnesota. See what Civil Engineering Student Worker positions are currently available.

Students who demonstrate an aptitude for the work and a desire to continue working at MnDOT may be eligible for another student worker or temporary MnDOT position upon completion of CEP.

Students who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in the next 12 months can apply for MnDOT’s Graduate Engineer and Land Surveyor Training Program at the end of summer for potential placement upon graduation.

How to apply

The Civil Engineering Student Worker Program is no longer accepting applications for summer 2026 positions. Summer 2027 positions will be posted in September 2026.

The Civil Engineering Student Worker Program accepts applications from September through May (or until all positions are filled) for the following summer’s cohort. All interested students must apply through the State of Minnesota Careers website, complete the CEP Position Preference form, and email their resume and unofficial school transcripts to the MnDOT Civil Engineering Program to be considered for this program.

How to apply @ mn.gov/careers

Go to mn.gov/careers
Select Search open positions
Enter the keyword "Civil Engineering Student Worker" in the search box
Select the job title to view a posting
Select Apply button
Sign in or select Register Now to create an account

The system will guide you through the rest of the application process.