Throughout the year, the Port of Los Angeles employs college engineering majors as student engineers and/or architecture majors as student architects. Student engineers or architects may assist in the design and construction of major Port and LA Waterfront projects.
Duties and Responsibilities
Student engineers may be assigned to one of the following divisions at the Port of Los Angeles: Construction, Engineering, or Goods Movement. Student architects may be assigned to the Engineering Division. Applicants are assigned based on the hiring division's needs.
Construction Division
Students assigned to the Construction Division may provide support to Port construction managers during various phases of construction in data entry, reviewing plans and specifications, reviewing and preparing cost estimates, attending meetings and preparing minutes, processing shop drawings, writing memorandums and change orders, conducting field investigations and other special projects. Students may also provide support to the Test Lab Team by performing material tests in the field or lab to ensure they meet quality standards.
Engineering Division
Students assigned to the Engineering Division may assist Port engineers and architects in the preparation of plans and specifications for projects involving grading, pacing, storm drain systems, sewer systems, roadways, buildings, wharves, transportation studies, marine facilities and other engineering duties, including making copies, scanning documents, processing shop drawings and record drawings, preparing plans for permits and coordinating with other agencies.
Goods Movement Division
Students assigned to the Goods Movement Division may assist Port transportation engineers in the preparation, review and/or analysis of Port traffic and data, regional transportation studies with other government agencies, regulatory and legislative transportation issues and grant applications. Students may also assist with the development and conceptual design of roadway and rail facilities.
Qualifications
Candidates must be of at least sophomore standing and maintain a minimum of 9 semester units or 12 quarter units at a recognized college or university. Candidates must also have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 (3.0 for graduate students). It is preferred candidates have at least one year remaining before graduation. Working knowledge of AutoCAD is required.
Ideal student employee candidates are expected to be motivated, responsible, punctual and committed. Students may work up to 20 hours per week and should be available Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Student Engineer/Architect I: $21.65 per hour.
University sophomore enrolled in a bachelor degree engineering or architecture program having completed one year of engineering or architecture coursework.
Student Engineer/Architect II: $22.81 per hour.
University junior enrolled in a bachelor degree engineering or architecture program having completed two years of engineering or architecture coursework.
Student Engineer/Architect III: $24.19 per hour.
University senior enrolled in a bachelor degree engineering or architecture program having completed three years of engineering or architecture coursework.
Student Engineer/Architect IV: $34.31 per hour.
Graduate student enrolled in a graduate level engineering program.
How to Apply
Applications for student engineer and student architect positions are accepted year-round and filled throughout the year.
Students interested in applying must submit a student worker questionnaire, along with a resume and City of Los Angeles application to studentworkerprogram@portla.org.
For more information, please call the Port’s Human Resources Division at (310) 732-3480.
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