Construction Intern Jobs in Iowa
Construction Intern jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, where commercial development, infrastructure expansion, and university campus projects drive consistent demand from entry level to upper-level internship positions. Large contractors and owners with deep Iowa roots, including Knutson Construction, Weitz Company, and the Iowa Department of Transportation, regularly bring on construction interns for field, project management, and estimating work. Residential framing, civil infrastructure, and commercial tenant improvement are among the most active specialties for interns across the state. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Construction Intern JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 17+ Construction Intern jobs
Job Description
The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking multiple engineering students who want to gain hands-on experience in the world of construction!
As a Highway Construction Intern you will conduct inspection duties on highway construction projects in the eastern portion of District 5 (Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Muscatine, Washington, and Van Buren counties). Your experience will include measurement and documentation of quantities, sampling and testing of materials and ensuring construction work is done in accordance with Iowa DOT plans, specifications, and standards. Types of construction may include grading, asphalt and concrete paving, bridges and culverts or pavement maintenance projects.
All students will be trained and certified by the Iowa DOT in materials testing procedures.
You will have the opportunity to Inspect small to moderately complex construction projects such as grading and paving, bridge culverts, erosion control, fencing, guardrail, and/or weatherization projects for compliance which includes reviewing field construction reports and material certifications, verifying quantities and materials, ensuring compliance with specifications and the use of certified materials, and preparing authorizations for vouchers and progress reports.
We’ll ask that you document construction progress and activities in computerized record keeping programs by maintaining detailed project records and preparing periodic reports on project progress and expenditures including item progress, materials used, and test results; performs technical duties in a resident construction office such as compiling and analyzing project reports and assisting the resident construction engineer.
You’ll get the chance to monitor ready mix and Portland cement concrete paving plants to verify material testing and check record keeping progress and plant compliance; performs a variety of standard tests to ensure quality control such air and slump tests on concrete and density and thickness on asphalt; records test results.
And since we are the Department of Transportation, you will gain knowledge in reviewing traffic control set-ups on highway construction projects in low traffic areas (i.e., rural rather than urban) for safety and compliance.
Excited to pursue the next step in your career?
Apply today! 3 Positions available!
Seeking engineering students interested in the construction field.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Eligible majors: engineering
Requirements: Completion of at least two years in civil, construction, materials, or transportation engineering, or in an engineering management curriculum at an accredited four-year college or university with eligibility for junior status upon return to school. Potential option for engineering students who do not meet the above requirement.Job Description
The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking multiple engineering students who want to gain hands-on experience in the world of construction!
As a Highway Construction Intern you will conduct inspection duties on highway construction projects in the eastern portion of District 5 (Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Muscatine, Washington, and Van Buren counties). Your experience will include measurement and documentation of quantities, sampling and testing of materials and ensuring construction work is done in accordance with Iowa DOT plans, specifications, and standards. Types of construction may include grading, asphalt and concrete paving, bridges and culverts or pavement maintenance projects.
All students will be trained and certified by the Iowa DOT in materials testing procedures.
You will have the opportunity to Inspect small to moderately complex construction projects such as grading and paving, bridge culverts, erosion control, fencing, guardrail, and/or weatherization projects for compliance which includes reviewing field construction reports and material certifications, verifying quantities and materials, ensuring compliance with specifications and the use of certified materials, and preparing authorizations for vouchers and progress reports.
We’ll ask that you document construction progress and activities in computerized record keeping programs by maintaining detailed project records and preparing periodic reports on project progress and expenditures including item progress, materials used, and test results; performs technical duties in a resident construction office such as compiling and analyzing project reports and assisting the resident construction engineer.
You’ll get the chance to monitor ready mix and Portland cement concrete paving plants to verify material testing and check record keeping progress and plant compliance; performs a variety of standard tests to ensure quality control such air and slump tests on concrete and density and thickness on asphalt; records test results.
And since we are the Department of Transportation, you will gain knowledge in reviewing traffic control set-ups on highway construction projects in low traffic areas (i.e., rural rather than urban) for safety and compliance.
Excited to pursue the next step in your career?
Apply today! 3 Positions available!
Seeking engineering students interested in the construction field.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Eligible majors: engineering
Requirements: Completion of at least two years in civil, construction, materials, or transportation engineering, or in an engineering management curriculum at an accredited four-year college or university with eligibility for junior status upon return to school. Potential option for engineering students who do not meet the above requirement.See All 17 Construction Intern Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Construction Intern JobsConstruction Intern Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Construction Intern Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in construction intern jobs across Iowa.
- Current enrollment in an accredited Iowa construction management or civil engineering program
- Basic proficiency with construction drawings, blueprints, and project specifications
- Familiarity with OSHA 10-hour construction safety certification or willingness to obtain it
- Experience or coursework in estimating, scheduling, or project management software such as Procore
- Valid Iowa driver's license and ability to travel to active job sites
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for coordinating with field crews and project teams
Construction Intern Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a construction intern in Iowa?
Becoming a construction intern in Iowa typically starts with enrollment in an accredited construction management, civil engineering, or architecture program at an Iowa institution such as Iowa State University, University of Iowa, or Iowa Lakes Community College. Most Iowa employers prefer candidates who have completed at least one year of coursework. Obtaining an OSHA 10-hour construction safety certification before applying gives candidates a concrete credential that many Iowa contractors require before an intern sets foot on a job site.
Which companies hire construction interns in Iowa?
Employers hiring construction interns in Iowa right now include State of Iowa, JP Cullen, and McCarthy Bush Corporation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Iowa's mix of large general contractors, state infrastructure agencies, and university facilities departments means internship openings appear across both private commercial projects and publicly funded work throughout the year.
Which Iowa cities have the most construction intern jobs?
The Iowa cities with the most construction intern openings are Des Moines, Davenport, and Cedar Rapids. Des Moines anchors demand as the state's largest commercial and government construction market, Cedar Rapids draws activity from food manufacturing and industrial facility projects, and Iowa City benefits from ongoing University of Iowa campus and healthcare construction that keeps contractor rosters stocked with interns year-round.
Are there remote construction intern jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of construction intern openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how hands-on and site-dependent most construction intern duties are. The portions of the role most likely to carry a remote or hybrid option are estimating, scheduling, and document control tasks that can be performed from a home office or university location between site visits.
How can I get hired as a construction intern in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to summer internship programs run by major Iowa general contractors, which are designed specifically for students with no prior field experience. Companies like Weitz Company and Knutson Construction recruit directly from Iowa State University and other Iowa programs, accepting applicants with only foundational coursework completed. Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity of Iowa chapters also builds hands-on site exposure that hiring managers recognize, and completing an OSHA 10-hour certification before interviewing signals job-site readiness even without paid experience.
Where can I find and apply to construction intern jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to construction intern jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your skills, preferred location, and availability, then apply directly to the ones that fit. No account creation is needed to view or apply to the positions listed.
See All 17 Construction Intern Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Construction Intern Jobs