Transportation Internships
Update: The application window for 2026 internships has closed. Thank you to those who applied and stay tuned for the application window for internships in 2027!
College and Graduate Student Internship Program
The Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT) student intern team is expanding! Successful candidates will have the opportunity to gain experience working in a fast-paced, progressive transportation department and develop the skills needed for a career in multimodal, mobility-focused transportation planning, engineering, or public administration.
Tentative Schedule for 2026:
- November 25, 2025 - Applications open
- January 9, 2026 - Applications due by 5pm
- Early February 2026 - Notification of interviews
- February 2026 - Interviews
- March/April 2026 - Notification of hiring & paperwork
- Early summer 2026 - Internship begins
Information:
- The wage for Undergraduate students is: $32.14/hour
- The wage for Graduate students is: $37.36/hour
- Interns may work a maximum of 960 hours per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).
- For questions, email oakdotinternships@oaklandca.gov
Interns may join one of the following teams:
Please read the team descriptions(PDF, 2MB) before applying.
Qualifications:
- Must be currently enrolled full-time in a degree seeking program for the duration of the internship. Spring graduates who are not planning on being enrolled in the coming are not eligible for summer internships.
- Must have completed at least one semester at the time of hire.
- Must be able to work in-person, in the office or doing fieldwork, in Oakland during the summer.
- Preference will be given to applicants who plan to continue their internship in a part time capacity beyond the summer.
How to Apply
The application window for 2026 internships has closed. Thank you to those who applied and stay tuned for the application window for internships in 2027!
Complete an online application (when applications are open). Applications must include three PDF attachments, titled with applicant's name (e.g. JaneDoe_OakDOTapp.pdf):
- A one-page cover letter. We suggest addressing the following topics: What motivated you to apply for an intern position with OakDOT? In what areas are you hoping to grow through an internship with OakDOT? How will you leverage this internship to advance your career?
- Resume
- Unofficial transcript (official transcript will need be provided later). If you are in your first year of your program, submit proof of enrollment instead.
Applicants from diverse disciplines are encouraged to apply. Disciplines may include, but are not limited to, Communications, City and Regional Planning, Computer Science, Geography, Journalism, Public Administration, Public Policy, Ethnic Studies, Public Health, Public Relations, Transportation, Engineering, Environmental Design or other interdisciplinary programs providing the requisite abilities.
We strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with disabilities, women, and people with other underrepresented identities to apply.