Entry Level Civil Jobs in Nebraska (NOW HIRING)

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Hiring Agency:

Transportation - Agency 27

Location:

Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:

$36.443

Job Posting:

JR2026-00027868 Highway Design Engineer (Evergreen) (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

Job Description:

Join the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) Roadway Design team and help shape the future of the State of Nebraska's transportation infrastructure! You'll get the opportunity to design a variety of projects from maintenance to new construction, all while working with a variety of groups from environmental, to construction to local entities. You will gain valuable experience learning how NDOT takes projects from concept to construction and helps provide a safe and reliable transportation system to the traveling public.
At the Nebraska Department of Transportation, we reward your hard work with a friendly and supportive work environment and a comprehensive benefits package which includes:
State-matched retirement contribution of 156%
13 paid holidays
Generous leave accruals that begin immediately
A culture that embraces work-life balance
Military leave
Tuition reimbursement program
Dependent tuition reimbursement program with partnering Nebraska community colleges
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government
79% employer paid health insurance plans
Dental and vision insurance plans
Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy
Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the State
Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service
Training and development based on your career aspirations
Job security and stability, even during times of economic hardship
Employee Assistance Program
Free parking
Pay range is $36.443 -$53.722 per hour. The pay rate may be commensurate with education and/or experience within fiscal constraints if approved.
If unable to fill at the Professional Engineer I level, will consider applicants at the Engineer level which requires a bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline. Must obtain Engineer Intern Enrollment (Engineering in Training Certification) within one year of employment. Pay rate for this classification is $31.968 per hour.
If hired at the Engineer level, you will perform entry-level engineering assignments in the civil engineering discipline, under the direct control, supervision, and review of a professional licensed engineer and assist other engineers in project location, development, design, construction, and/or other engineering functions and programs. This role will provide learning opportunities to apply engineering principles and acquire an understanding of federal and state rules and regulations, and the employing agency's engineering standards and procedures.

Job Duties:

• Participate in the design of various complex rural and municipal roadway construction projects including resurfacing and reconstruction projects.

• Perform the design of horizontal and vertical alignments, roadway cross-sections, guardrail, erosion control, and other roadway features.

• Perform hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, design culverts, storm sewers and other drainage features, and prepare drainage structure cross-section plans.

• Compute wetland impacts and design mitigation sites.

• Perform design and analysis work to support the NEPA process.

• Prepare preliminary and final roadway construction project plans and other project deliverables.

• Draft miscellaneous design details.

• Prepare estimates of construction project quantities and costs.

• Perform data collection, background research, note reduction, calculations, analysis and documentation of engineering related decisions.

• Write project descriptions, special provisions, alternatives analysis, and other project documents.

• Maintain project correspondence files and plans in an accurate and up to date condition.

• Prepare for and participate in project related meetings and field inspections.

• Coordinate several roadway design projects concurrently within the Division and Department, including public service agencies such as cities, counties, and utilities.

• Aid and assist other engineering personnel as necessary.

Requirements / Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Engineer: Bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline. Must obtain Engineer Intern Enrollment (Engineering in Training Certification) within one year of employment.

Professional Engineer I: Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline. Must possess a Professional Engineer (P.E.) license at the time of application and be licensed by the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects at time of employment or be able to obtain such license within 90 days of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering with transportation related focus.

• Educational experience and knowledge in the design of highways, streets, culverts, and storm sewers.

• Educational experience and knowledge in the preparation of highway construction plans, construction estimates, highway construction, highway inspection and highway surveying.

• Educational experience or other experience in MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer, ProjectWise, and AASHTOware.

Other:

• Engineering degrees must be from an EAC/ABET-accredited program (or evaluated by NCEES as equivalent).

• Requires occasional out-of-town overnight travel and working extended hours to meet deadlines.

• Valid driver's license or ability to provide independent authorized transportation is required.

• Regular and reliable attendance is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of: civil engineering theories, principles, and practices of civil engineering and design; modern methods and techniques of highway construction, maintenance, and materials; legal responsibilities and ramifications associated with the work performed; federal and agency design standards, specifications, and procedures; federal and state laws and regulations applicable to the function performed; practices and terminology of computer operations and Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD); and practical engineering concepts.

• Ability to: interpret, understand and implement state and federal laws and regulations, and agency standards, policies, and procedures; read, interpret and evaluate engineering plans and specifications; understand all levels of project design; organize, analyze, and evaluate available information and draw reasonable conclusions; develop procedures and determine the logical flow of work through the work unit; plan, organize, assign and direct the work of section/unit staff; provide direction and expertise to other engineering professionals and engineering technicians; evaluate the professional and/or technical skills of assigned team members and assign work accordingly; communicate information clearly and concisely; prepare, interpret, use, and explain civil engineering plans, maps, specifications and standards and reports, communicate with the public, agency staff, and local government officials; interact with assigned workers, other agency employees, local government representatives, and the public.

If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.
Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.