Environmental Intern; TPT

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world’s longest floating bridge, leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

WSDOT is seeking a Transportation Planning Technician Intern to join the Southwest Region Environmental Team. This internship provides a unique opportunity for college students or recent graduates to gain practical, hands‑on exposure to the environmental field within transportation infrastructure. The role supports a team of Transportation Planning Specialists by assisting with environmental documentation, data collection, field studies, and compliance tasks required by federal, state, and agency laws and regulations.

Environmental Interns gain experience with environmental assessments, permit preparation, GIS‑based project summaries, and on‑site construction monitoring while collaborating with design, construction, and environmental staff to help ensure transportation projects meet environmental requirements. The selected individual will also develop skills in applying multimodal transportation procedures, concepts, and techniques in real‑world projects that positively impact communities and the environment across Washington State.

Core business hours are Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and occasional extended hours may be required. This position performs work both indoors in an office setting and outdoors. While out in the field, duties may require navigating rough or steep terrain, which can include downed logs, dense brush, shallow streams, tidal channels and steep slopes. Travel within the Southwest Region for projects site visits or meetings with stakeholders, as well as occasional statewide travel for training, may be required.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Environmental Intern will:

• Provide technical assistance support to higher level specialists within the SWR Environmental Team in carrying out environmental documentation, roadside restoration, and compliance responsibilities consistent with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Assist with preparation of environmental documentation.
• Assemble data; assist in preparing biological, cultural, noise, and other special studies.
• Research and write portions of permit applications.
• Prepare environmental commitment lists and compliance notebooks for construction; prepare environmental memos and maps.
• Produce Environmental Review Summaries (ERSs) using GIS software for environmental scoping of future projects.
• Perform field work and complete data collection.
• Participate in various environmental studies such as biological assessments, hazardous material assessments, wetland delineations, and wildlife surveys; assist in compiling data, drawing supporting sketches and preparing reports.
• Assist Environmental Compliance Inspector.
• Conduct fish exclusion work for projects requiring in water work, pre-project and active construction avian/wildlife monitoring and surveys.

To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:

• Education Eligibility (Statutory Requirement):
  Meets the education eligibility requirements for student employment (internship) as outlined in RCW 43.06.420 and currently enrollment in an accredited educational institution for an undergraduate degree program.
• Environmental Knowledge
  :
  Understanding of environmental principles and practices in biology, environmental science, natural resources, or closely related disciplines.
• Task and Workload Management
  :
  Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and manage multiple complex tasks concurrently while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Research and Analytical…