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Intern Civil Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island (NOW HIRING)

Overview ABOUT THE POSITION VHB's Providence, Rhode Island office is seeking Structures Intern to ... Candidates must be pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Civil Engineering or related studies ...

ABOUT THE POSITION VHB's Providence, Rhode Island office is seeking Structures Intern to join the ... Candidates must be pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Civil Engineering or related studies ...

Overview ABOUT THE POSITION VHB's Providence, Rhode Island office is seeking Structures Intern to ... Candidates must be pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Civil Engineering or related studies ...

Overview ABOUT THE POSITION VHB's Providence, Rhode Island office is seeking Structures Intern to ... Candidates must be pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Civil Engineering or related studies ...

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Showing results 1-20

Intern Civil Engineer information

See Rhode Island salary details

$13

$19

$26

How much do intern civil engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for intern civil engineer in Rhode Island is $19.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.49 and $21.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an intern civil engineer do?

An Intern Civil Engineer assists professional engineers in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and water supply systems. Their responsibilities often include drafting blueprints, conducting site visits, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing reports. They work under the supervision of licensed engineers, gaining practical experience and applying their academic knowledge to real-world projects. This internship helps them develop essential technical and communication skills needed for a successful engineering career.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an intern civil engineer?

To thrive as an Intern Civil Engineer, you need a solid understanding of engineering fundamentals, mathematics, and basic design principles, often supported by ongoing or completed coursework in civil engineering. Familiarity with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and other relevant design or modeling software is typically required, along with knowledge of industry standards. Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities are essential soft skills for collaborating with senior engineers and addressing project challenges. These skills and qualifications ensure effective contribution to engineering projects, foster professional growth, and support the safe, efficient delivery of infrastructure solutions.

What types of projects and tasks can an intern civil engineer expect to work on during their internship?

As an Intern Civil Engineer, you can expect to be involved in a variety of hands-on and support tasks related to ongoing infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, water systems, or buildings. Typical responsibilities may include assisting with site inspections, drafting technical drawings using software like AutoCAD, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing reports or documentation for senior engineers. Interns often work closely with both field and office teams, gaining exposure to project management, design processes, and regulatory compliance. This collaborative environment offers valuable learning experiences and lays a strong foundation for future career growth in civil engineering.

What is the difference between Intern Civil Engineer vs Civil Engineering Technician?

AspectIntern Civil EngineerCivil Engineering Technician
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recently completed a bachelor's degree in civil engineeringAssociate degree or diploma in civil engineering technology
Work EnvironmentOn-site project sites, engineering offices, assisting senior engineersFieldwork and office work, supporting engineers with technical tasks
Employer & Industry UsageInternships in engineering firms, construction companies, government agenciesConstruction firms, consulting firms, government departments

Intern Civil Engineers are usually students or recent graduates gaining practical experience, while Civil Engineering Technicians support engineering projects with technical tasks. Both roles work closely in the civil engineering industry but differ mainly in education level and responsibilities.

What do you do as a civil engineer intern?

A civil engineer intern assists with project planning, design, and analysis by supporting senior engineers. They may conduct site inspections, prepare reports, and use tools like AutoCAD or Civil 3D to help develop construction plans. The role provides practical experience in engineering principles and project management within a construction or infrastructure environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Civil Engineer jobs in Rhode Island?

The most popular types of Civil Engineer jobs in Rhode Island are:

What cities in Rhode Island are hiring for Intern Civil Engineer jobs?

Cities in Rhode Island with the most Intern Civil Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Intern Civil Engineer job openings in Rhode Island as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,434 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

$101K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


U.S. Department Of Homeland Security rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

100th of 297 rated public sector bodies


Job description

This vacancy is for a GS-0810-12, Civil Engineer located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, CIVIL ENGINEERING UNIT PROVIDENCE-PRODUCT LINE in WARWICK, Rhode Island.

Qualifications:Basic Requirements: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience or substitution of education for experience or combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements:
EDUCATION: A.
Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
  1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
  2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
  3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
  4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
AND

In addition to the above basic education requirement to qualify at the GS-12 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the federal or private sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular and recurring basis:

  • Performing professional civil engineering design and analysis for facility or infrastructure projects, including developing engineering plans, specifications, calculations, and cost estimates; evaluating technical requirements; and coordinating or overseeing project design and construction activities.

NOTE: Education can be substituted for experience at this grade level.


National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:This position does have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail.
Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected & prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. (see FOREIGN EDUCATION below).
College Transcript: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Transcripts should be legible and detailed, showing course number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
Employment Type: OTHER

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About U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a federal agency operating within the government services industry in Washington, DC, US. Established in 2003, the DHS is directly responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries. Its main responsibilities include protecting the United States from and responding to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters. Through its more than 20 component agencies including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, it ensures the safety of the US through numerous programs and initiatives. The DHS upholds a core value system with the mission of safeguarding the American people, our homeland, and values. Notably, the DHS plays a critical role in the spectral range of activities to prepare, prevent, and respond to possible threats to the US.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003