Civil Engineering Trainee Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $89,398.40 Annually
Location : 5620 NW 120th Lane, Gainesville, FL, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: FY26-17315
Department: Public Works
Division: Transportation Improvement
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 8/28/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Minimum Qualifications
Now Hiring: Civil Engineer III
Hiring Range: $42.9829-$60.1761 per hour, dependent on qualifications and experience.
The Alachua County Department of Public Works is seeking a Civil Engineer III to support transportation capital improvement projects. The Department provides stewardship of County-owned infrastructure and equipment while working with the community to support growth that balances environmental, social, and community development.
This position will help plan, design, coordinate, and deliver transportation capital projects that enhance and maintain Alachua County's public infrastructure.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, public works engineering, or closely related engineering field and four years related professional engineering experience in design and management of transportation capital improvement. Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/ experience may be considered for trainee status.
A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.
Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.
State of Florida Professional Engineer (P.E.) Registration is required within six months of employment.
Position Summary
This is responsible administrative and professional engineering work in the review and preparation of plans, designs and specifications, and project management for public works projects related to the Transportation Capital Improvement Program (TCIP). Work involves assisting in the coordination, planning, project management and review of the work of subordinate technical employees engaged in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of public works projects related to the TCIP.
An employee in this classification serves as chief engineer and manager for a major public works function, Transportation Capital Improvement Program Division.
Work is performed under the direction of the higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports and observation of results obtained.
Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.
Exudes a positive customer service focus.
Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County's core values.
Supervises, assists in planning, directing and coordinating the activities of the Transportation Capital Improvement Program Division.
Performs complex design elements related to various TCIP projects.
Reviews and approves design work of subordinate technicians and engineers.
Performs detailed review of development plans and reports prepared by private licensed engineers and ensures compliance with applicable codes and engineering standards.
Recommends updates to development codes when necessary.
Exercises considerable autonomy in the design and management of transportation capital improvement projects.
Approves layouts and other significant design considerations for projects.
Responsible for assimilating all components of project plans, including but not limited to plans, quantities, specifications, contracts, and bid documents.
Prepares detailed scopes of work for consultants; participates in the selection process, manages consultant contracts and reviews work of consultants.
Recommends payment approval for contracts.
Prepares construction contract documents through the collaboration of the Procurement (contracts) Office.
Serves as expert witness in court cases pertaining to design, development activities and condemnation trials.
Supervises, plans, directs and prepares engineering studies, feasibility reports, construction plans and cost estimates.
Prepares and monitors the budget for the Transportation Capital Improvement Program Division.
Coordinates engineering field surveys, and construction and maintenance activities performed by private utilities and contractors within public works.
Serves as expert advisor on construction projects to technicians and engineers on complex design/construction problems and interprets specifications as required between engineers/technicians and contractors.
Establishes training programs for subordinate engineers and technicians.
Develops major program plans, establishes methodology for project prioritization, and establishes project plans and production schedules.
Represents higher level supervisors including the County Engineer and Public Works Director at various meetings.
Makes public presentations representing higher level supervisors including the County Engineer and Public Works Director to various groups.
Drives a County and/or personal vehicle to perform required duties.
Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering, specifically in the areas of transportation, pavement design, drainage, construction, and management.
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of project management.
Ability to develop and adhere to project schedules.
Ability to prepare complex engineering reports, feasibility reports and complex specifications.
Ability to perform and review complex engineering and mathematical calculations.
Ability to plan, direct, monitor and control the work of engineers, technicians, contractors and clerical personnel.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with contractors and other County employees.
Ability to coordinate numerous concurrent activities; ability to multitask.
Ability to work within established parameters and time frames.
Ability to give technical and professional review to a large variety and volume of engineering plans and documents produced by staff or private registered engineers.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing, including public speaking and preparing written reports and memoranda.
Ability to prepare budgets.
Ability to exercise considerable independent engineering judgment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; reach with hands and arms, and use hands to finger, handle or feel.
The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds; occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to construction sites, working near moving mechanical parts and heavy equipment; wet, humid conditions (non-weather); outdoor weather conditions, and extreme heat (non-weather).
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Supplemental Information
Government/Public works engineering experience desirable.
An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future. BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance
• Employee Life Insurance
• Florida Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits
You may also view regarding benefits.

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement. A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows:

1. New Years Day
2. Martin Luther King Day
3. Memorial Day
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day
6. Labor Day
7. Veterans' Day
8. Thanksgiving Day
9. Friday following Thanksgiving
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)
11. Christmas Day
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)
13. 2 Floating Holidays (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF - International Association of Firefighters Pay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.
Vacation Leave - Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to .
Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.
01
I understand that once my application has been submitted for this specific position that I will NOT be able to make any changes to it. Any changes to my master application will only be reflected in any future positions for which I may apply.

• Yes
• No

02
If an applicant meets all minimum qualifications as posted he/she is referred to the appropriate hiring manager. The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for the ones with the specific experience he/she is seeking.Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

• Yes
• No

03
I understand that if I earned a bachelor's or master's degree outside the United States, I must submit a foreign credential evaluation with my application or email it to achr@alachuacounty.us. International degrees without an evaluation will not be considered toward minimum qualifications.

• Yes
• No

04
Do you have four years of civil engineering, road design, survey, or road construction inspection experience?

• Yes
• No

05
Education: Do you possess a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, public works engineering, or a closely related engineering field?

• Yes
• No

06
Transportation Capital Improvement Experience: How many years of professional engineering experience do you have in the design and management of transportation capital improvement projects?

• Less than 2 years
• 2 to 4 years
• 4 to 6 years
• 6 to 8 years
• 8 years or more

07
Professional Engineer Registration: Do you currently hold an active Professional Engineer (P.E.) license?

• Yes, active Florida P.E. license
• No, but I am eligible and able to obtain Florida P.E. registration within six months of employment
• Yes, active P.E. license in another U.S. jurisdiction
• No

Required Question