Trainee Process Engineer Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

Introduction
Are you passionate about shaping the future of transportation in Connecticut?
If so, join our great team of engineering and construction management professionals and make an impact!
Current students who will be graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Construction Management by the end of May 2027 are strongly encouraged to apply!
The State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (CTDOT), is now accepting applications for Transportation Engineer Trainee (Construction Engineering) positions in the Division of Construction Operations, Material Evaluation and Specification Unit (MESU), located in Rocky Hill.
The positions available at the MESU are in material evaluation and material support for CT DOT and Municipalities influencing Highway, Bridge, Rail, Facility, and Municipality transportation related projects in Connecticut. The successful candidates will assist in support and development of material related aspects of the DOT and municipality construction programs, while developing their understanding of construction engineering and the significant role the MESU has in ensuring the success of the transportation infrastructure of Connecticut.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Schedule: Full-Time (40 Hour), First Shift, Monday - Friday
• Location: Rocky Hill, CT
• This position is eligible to apply for telework after successful completion of the working test period, and thereafter, in accordance with the Telework Policy. The Policy can be found here.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
• Join an award winning agency! CTDOT has been recently awarded the Employer of the Year award by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE) and named the Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) CT Employer of the Year for 2024!

APPLICATION DETAILS

• Applicants must be available to travel for training, conferences, meetings, field reviews, etc.
• A valid motor vehicle operator's license is required and must be maintained.
• Please list your Driver's license number, expiration date, and issuing State, Engineer in Training license number (if applicable), and any other job-relevant licenses or certifications you hold, in the Licenses and Professional Certifications section of your application.

THE ROLE
In this role you will be responsible for:
• Assisting with maintaining AASHTOWare Construction and Materials (or other Construction Management Reporting Systems) and COMPASS within MESU and with MESU's stakeholders.
• Assisting MESU, Construction, and Maintenance staff with materials testing and documentation to ensure compliance with the Department's Quality Assurance (QA) Program for materials acceptance.
• Assisting higher-level employees with maintaining laboratory accreditation and monitoring compliance.
• Assisting higher-level employees with the timely and accurate material certification of completed Department projects.
• Supporting MESU and active construction project staff in administering the Department's Quality Assurance (QA) Program for materials.
• Assisting with revisions to the processes and software platforms used to support these activities.
• Assisting with the collection, analysis, and report creation of materials-related data.
• Performing other duties, as required, to support the Division of Construction Operations.
*SALARY/PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY
Max of the Target Level for Transportation Engineer 2.
Promotional Opportunity
Salary
Transportation Engineer Trainee
$76,307/annually
After successful completion of a one (1) year training program, you will be promoted to Transportation Engineer 1 (Construction Engineering)
$85,151-$104,720
annually
After successful completion of two (2) years as a Transportation Engineer 1 (Construction Engineering), you will be promoted to Transportation Engineer 2 (Construction Engineering)
$95,865-$123,809
annually
ABOUT US
As one of Connecticut's largest State agencies, DOT employs approximately 3,300 individuals statewide in five distinct bureaus. It is the DOT's mission to improve quality of life through transportation. We have a significant transportation infrastructure system that is essential to maintaining mobility for Connecticut residents and businesses and supporting economic and community development while preserving environmental and cultural resources. The Department of Transportation is committed to cultivating a diverse staff that is representative of the communities we serve. Applications from individuals having diverse backgrounds and life experiences are strongly encouraged.
Learn more about our mission, vision, and values by clicking here!
Watch the video below to learn what Transportation Engineers do at the Connecticut DOT!
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
Please Note: In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting by the closing date listed on the job posting.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
• For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).

• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
• This employer may participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm work authorization.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Nicole Frascatore via Nicole.Frascatore@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Transportation and the Connecticut Airport Authority this class is accountable for receiving training in introductory professional engineering work for the development of technical and professional transportation engineering and transportation construction engineering skills and knowledge in order to qualify for advancement in the field of transportation engineering.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Performs a wide variety of increasingly difficult duties as technical skills are acquired during course of training period.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of basic transportation engineering theories, principles and methods;
• Skill in use of drafting and calculating instruments and other computer applications;
• Considerable ability in performing mathematical computations, making neat and accurate drawings and preparing minor design and structural details.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Possession of a Bachelor's degree.
NOTE: If the target job classification has a Minimum Qualification that requires specific licensure and/or the Bachelor's degree to be in a specific area(s), then these specific licensures and degree areas are required for appointment to the Transportation Engineer Trainee classification. Candidates cannot be appointed until all degree requirements are complete.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• Possession of Professional Engineer (PE) licensure from the Department of Consumer Protection State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors consistent with C.G.S. §20-302 may be substituted for the General Experience requirement.
• Possession of Engineer-In-Training (EIT) licensure from the Department of Consumer Protection State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors consistent with C.G.S. §20-302 may be substituted for the General Experience requirement.

NOTE: The following additional substitutions are allowed for the Target Class of Transportation Engineer 1 (Construction Engineering):

• Possession of Land Surveyor (LS) licensure from the Department of Consumer Protection State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors consistent with C.G.S. §20-302 may be substituted for the General Experience requirement.
• Possession of Land Surveyor-In-Training (LSIT) licensure from the Department of Consumer Protection State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors consistent with C.G.S. §20-302 may be substituted for the General Experience requirement.
• Possession of at least Level III certification, from the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), in one of the following Civil Engineering Technology Programs may be substituted for the General Experience requirement:
  • Transportation Construction Inspection Program - Highway Construction Inspection.
  • Construction Materials Testing Program - Asphalt, Concrete or Soils.
  • Transportation Program - Highway Materials, Highway Surveys or Highway Construction Inspection.
• Possession of a Level III Survey Technician Certification from the National Society of Professional Surveyors may be substituted for the General Experience requirement.
• Possession of an American W