Office of the County Engineer Internship Program (OCEIP) - Fall 2026 Intern

Office of the County Engineer Internship Program (OCEIP) - Fall 2026 Intern

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Internship

Job Number

16918

Department

Engineering Department

Opening Date

07/07/2026

Closing Date

7/21/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

Position Overview:

The Office of the County Engineer (OCE) is a regional leader in delivering comprehensive and integrated professional services to a diverse range of clients. Our vision is to enhance the built environment, creating new structures that elevate the quality of life for the growing Harris County community. OCE uses innovative, sustainable solutions to ensure every project exceeds expectations and delivers creative, practical results.

The Office of the County Engineer Internship Program (OCEIP), led by Dr. Santa Maria, the Chief of Staff, is designed for students aged 18 and older who are pursuing post-secondary education. OCEIP provides students with the unique chance to gain hands-on experience in local government, exposing them to real-world programs, policies, and issues. Through this immersion, interns will build the professional skills necessary for their future careers.

Committed to fostering diversity, OCEIP actively recruits students from a wide range of educational, economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds to reflect the diversity of Harris County's residents. Interns will benefit from leadership training, professional development opportunities, and meaningful work experiences that prepare them for success in the public and private sectors.

Job Duties:

• Interns in the Office of the County Engineer Internship Program (OCEIP) will be fully immersed in active project teams, taking on meaningful responsibilities across a range of tasks.

• These may include supporting field visits, assisting with design work, engaging in customer service, conducting research, participating in community outreach, and performing administrative or project management duties.

• The program also offers valuable mentoring and professional development opportunities, providing interns with guidance from experienced professionals and the tools they need to develop their skills, knowledge, and confidence as they prepare for their future careers.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education:

• Mandatory attendance for the internship period from August 10, 2026, through October 30, 2026.
• Candidates must be currently enrolled (at the time of application) in a college or university working toward a degree in Engineering (Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, Electrical), Surveying, GIS, CIS, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management, Business, or Finance.
• Candidates should have completed at least two (2) years of study.
• Candidates must have completed a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours, four (4) courses related to their chosen major.

Experience:

In addition to completing the application, interested students must submit:

• A resume that lists classes taken, software competencies, and other relevant skills or experience.
• Cover letter outlining why they chose their field, what they plan to do upon graduation, and why they would like to work for Harris County.
• Writing Sample.
• Unofficial Transcript.
• Letter of Recommendation.
• Any additional information, such as previous military service, should be included.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Applicants must be 18 years or older.
• Possess a valid driver's license.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, using proper grammar and spelling.
• Must be attentive to detail and have effective problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational, time-management, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team and prioritize tasks.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation, but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

General Information

COMMITMENT

• Accepted applicants to the Office of the County Engineer Internship Program (OCEIP) are required to work full-time at their designated placement office. Participants are expected to maintain a 40-hour workweek, working 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday, for the full duration of the 12-week program. Business casual attire is mandatory. All positions are in-person, and applicants must be available for the entire program.

Program Policies:

• Only one applicant per family unit may be accepted for the Fall 2026 cohort.
• Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from their assigned work location. Interns must have reliable transportation, with the use of public transportation encouraged.
• A valid driver's license is required for all interns.
• Interns are expected to complete the full internship program. Early departure will result in dismissal, and participants must wait one year to reapply.
• Leave requests must be submitted to both the direct supervisor and EES. Failure to do so may result in a write-up, and dismissal from the program is at the host sites discretion.

Location:

1111 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas

Work Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday

Work hours are subject to change and may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Demands:

Frequent standing and walking; extended periods of sitting.

Frequent bending, reaching, and lifting items up to 10 pounds, with occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds. Regular use of a computer monitor.

Occasional handling of documents, books, files, and materials.

Working Environment:

Field visits may require walking on rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.

Interns must be willing to work in various weather conditions during field visits, including exposure to heat, cold, wind, moisture, air pollution, and dust.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications, positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

Not Applicable

01

At the time of application, are you enrolled in an accredited college or university and pursuing a degree?

• Yes
• No

02

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major field of study?

• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Surveying
• GIS / Geospatial Sciences
• Computer Science / Information Systems / MIS
• Management Information Systems (MIS)
• Architecture
• Construction Management
• Business
• Finance
• Urban/ Regional Planning
• Public Administration
• Ohter

03

If you selected "Other" in response to the previous question, please list your area of study.

04

Have you completed at least 2 years of study toward your degree at an accredited college or university?

• Yes
• No

05

Have you successfully completed at least twelve (12) credit hours (four courses) in your declared major or a closely related field of study?

• Yes
• No

06

What is your current academic classification?

• Freshman
• Sophomore
• Junior
• Senior
• Graduate Student

07

What is your anticipated graduation date? Please enter your anticipated graduation month and year (e.g., May 2027).

08

The internship program runs from August 10, 2026, through October 30, 2026. Are you available to work for the entire duration of the program?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx