Entry Level Civil Engineering Specialist Jobs
New grad civil engineering specialist jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or a focused portfolio can outweigh a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Consulting & Professional Services, Education, and Construction & Real Estate, with employers like Kimley-Horn, RS&H, and Barge Design Solutions hiring at this level now.
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The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Engineering Technician.
About the Opportunity
The Engineering Technician will support laboratory, pilot-scale, and early commercial hydrometallurgical operations focused on the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from acid mine drainage (AMD) and related feedstocks. This role is hands-on and critical to day-to-day process execution, data collection, and continuous improvement of REE recovery, separation, and purification processes.
We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:
- 37.5-hour work week
- 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
- 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
- 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
- WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
- 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
- Wellness programs
What You'll Do
- Operate and maintain lab-scale and pilot-scale hydrometallurgical equipment (reactors, clarifiers, filters, solvent extraction circuits, precipitation systems).
- Prepare chemical reagents and solutions; conduct controlled leaching, precipitation, and purification experiments.
- Collect, label, and prepare samples for analysis (ICP-OES/MS, titration, pH, conductivity, solids characterization).
- Monitor process parameters (pH, ORP, temperature, flow rates, residence time) and accurately record operational data.
- Support scale-up activities by executing test plans, SOPs, and experimental protocols.
- Assist with troubleshooting process upsets and implementing corrective actions.
- Maintain safe chemical handling practices and ensure EHS compliance.
- Perform routine equipment inspection, cleaning, calibration, and minor maintenance.
- Document results clearly in lab notebooks, databases, and technical reports.
- Always maintain security of data and intellectual property.
- Interface with external customers in a professional manner consistent with WVU policy.
Why This Role Matters
This position directly supports the development of a domestic, environmentally beneficial supply chain for mission-critical rare earth elements—transforming legacy mine waste into strategic materials for U.S. industry and defense.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemical Technology, Process Technology, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field.
- A minimum of two (2) years of hands-on experience in chemical processing, hydrometallurgy, water treatment, or mineral processing (academic lab or industrial) is preferred.
- Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
- All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Familiarity with aqueous chemistry, acid/base systems, and solid-liquid separation.
- Ability to follow SOPs and work safely with acids, bases, and metal-bearing solutions.
- Strong attention to detail and data integrity.
- Must hold a valid United States Driver’s License.
- Capability to lift up to 50lbs.
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with critical minerals or mining-related wastewater (AMD).
- Exposure to solvent extraction or precipitation-based metal recovery.
- Experience supporting pilot plants or demonstration-scale systems.
- Basic understanding of mass balance and process flowsheets.
- Basic mechanical skills and ability to work with basic hand tools.
Physical & Work Environment
- Hands-on laboratory and pilot-plant environment.
- Outdoor field work including but not limited to collecting solid and liquid field samples.
- Required to work on-site in Morgantown WV, Monday through Friday, with limited remote workdays with approval from direct supervisor.
- Travel required.
- Use of PPE required.
West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.
From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.
At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.
Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.
West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.
Job Posting
: Nov 12, 2026Schedule
: Full-timeThe Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Engineering Technician.
About the Opportunity
The Engineering Technician will support laboratory, pilot-scale, and early commercial hydrometallurgical operations focused on the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from acid mine drainage (AMD) and related feedstocks. This role is hands-on and critical to day-to-day process execution, data collection, and continuous improvement of REE recovery, separation, and purification processes.
We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:
- 37.5-hour work week
- 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
- 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
- 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
- WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
- 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
- Wellness programs
What You'll Do
- Operate and maintain lab-scale and pilot-scale hydrometallurgical equipment (reactors, clarifiers, filters, solvent extraction circuits, precipitation systems).
- Prepare chemical reagents and solutions; conduct controlled leaching, precipitation, and purification experiments.
- Collect, label, and prepare samples for analysis (ICP-OES/MS, titration, pH, conductivity, solids characterization).
- Monitor process parameters (pH, ORP, temperature, flow rates, residence time) and accurately record operational data.
- Support scale-up activities by executing test plans, SOPs, and experimental protocols.
- Assist with troubleshooting process upsets and implementing corrective actions.
- Maintain safe chemical handling practices and ensure EHS compliance.
- Perform routine equipment inspection, cleaning, calibration, and minor maintenance.
- Document results clearly in lab notebooks, databases, and technical reports.
- Always maintain security of data and intellectual property.
- Interface with external customers in a professional manner consistent with WVU policy.
Why This Role Matters
This position directly supports the development of a domestic, environmentally beneficial supply chain for mission-critical rare earth elements—transforming legacy mine waste into strategic materials for U.S. industry and defense.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemical Technology, Process Technology, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field.
- A minimum of two (2) years of hands-on experience in chemical processing, hydrometallurgy, water treatment, or mineral processing (academic lab or industrial) is preferred.
- Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
- All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Familiarity with aqueous chemistry, acid/base systems, and solid-liquid separation.
- Ability to follow SOPs and work safely with acids, bases, and metal-bearing solutions.
- Strong attention to detail and data integrity.
- Must hold a valid United States Driver’s License.
- Capability to lift up to 50lbs.
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with critical minerals or mining-related wastewater (AMD).
- Exposure to solvent extraction or precipitation-based metal recovery.
- Experience supporting pilot plants or demonstration-scale systems.
- Basic understanding of mass balance and process flowsheets.
- Basic mechanical skills and ability to work with basic hand tools.
Physical & Work Environment
- Hands-on laboratory and pilot-plant environment.
- Outdoor field work including but not limited to collecting solid and liquid field samples.
- Required to work on-site in Morgantown WV, Monday through Friday, with limited remote workdays with approval from direct supervisor.
- Travel required.
- Use of PPE required.
West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.
From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.
At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.
Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.
West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.
Job Posting
: Nov 12, 2026Schedule
: Full-timeSee All 126+ Entry Level Civil Engineering Specialist Jobs
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Who's Hiring
- Kimley-Horn46
- RS&H13
- Barge Design Solutions7
- CESO5
- BKF Engineers5
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services92
- Education6
- Construction & Real Estate5
- Science & Research2
- Automotive1
Entry Level Civil Engineering Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level civil engineering specialist job?
Entry level civil engineering specialist roles typically look for a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field, plus hands-on experience from internships, senior capstone projects, or co-ops. Familiarity with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or similar design software gives candidates a real edge. Tailoring your resume to highlight project outcomes, even from academic work, helps you stand out against other new graduates applying for the same openings.
Which companies hire entry level civil engineering specialists?
Companies hiring entry level civil engineering specialists right now include Kimley-Horn, RS&H, and Barge Design Solutions, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a broad mix of employers, including engineering consulting firms, municipal government agencies, construction contractors, and infrastructure development companies actively building out their junior talent pipelines.
Are there remote entry level civil engineering specialist jobs?
Yes, though most civil engineering specialist work is site-dependent, some roles do offer flexibility. About 3% of entry level civil engineering specialist openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, typically covering tasks like drafting, design review, permitting support, and project coordination that can be done without being on-site every day.
Are these new grad civil engineering specialist jobs?
Yes, these listings include new grad, recent graduate, and junior civil engineering specialist roles. A new grad-friendly posting typically welcomes candidates with zero to two years of experience and treats internships, co-ops, or academic project work as qualifying background. Many also accept a strong portfolio in place of full-time professional experience, making them accessible to candidates stepping into the field for the first time.
Which industries hire the most entry level civil engineering specialists?
Entry Level civil engineering specialist roles concentrate in Consulting & Professional Services, Education, and Construction & Real Estate, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive junior hiring because ongoing infrastructure investment, development projects, and regulatory requirements create consistent demand for entry level specialists who can support design, inspection, and project delivery work.