The FHWA Engineer Training Program

Career Development

The Highway Engineer Training Program is an entry-level career development program. We are looking for college graduates with a bachelor's degrees in civil engineering. This program will lead to successively more responsible positions within the Federal Highway Administration.

The FHWA training program provides the following opportunities:

• Training and On-the-Job Experience of the Highest Professional Caliber
• Planned Career Development
• Geographic and Occupational Mobility
• Diversified Experience

You will learn, earn, and develop professionally as a highway engineer. You will study, work, and gain experience in all phases of highway engineering:

• Location and Design
• Urban and Environmental Development
• Transportation Planning
• Construction and Maintenance
• Hydraulics
• Structures
• Research
• Traffic Engineering
• Safety

Educational Opportunities

Continuing your education while gaining work experience is an important part of the Highway Engineering Training Program. You will increase your skill and knowledge through on-the-job training and formal classroom training.

While in training, you will attend a variety of courses and seminars including an orientation in the Washington, D.C. Headquarter's Office. You also will attend other formal orientations to various organizational levels of the Federal Highway Administration and the Department of Transportation.

You will have the flexibility to decide upon and place emphasis on the areas that will be of greatest interest to you throughout your career.

Postgraduate Study

Selected highway engineers can pursue postgraduate study later in their careers at the Government's expense. Engineers may enroll in advanced training in areas such as hydraulic, geotechnical engineering, structures, or some other specialized area related to highway engineering.

Career Planning Assistance

The Federal Highway Administration is known for its team spirit ... its professionalism ... its dedication to serve the public ... its commitment to ethical values. All qualities that support another tradition ... helping and encouraging one another to grow and advance in our organization.

Guidance, counseling, and supervision are the responsibilities of your immediate supervisor on each assignment. You can expect an appraisal of job performance approximately each month while in the training program. Your supervisor uses these formal reviews and informal daily contact to assist you in planning your career. Part of the formal course work also helps you analyze and determine your career direction.

Advancement During the Program

You will enter the Highway Engineer Training Program as a highway engineer trainee at a grade GS-5 or GS-7. As a highway engineer trainee, you will be advanced according to your performance and development.

Consideration for promotion, once you have completed the training program, will be determined by competitive procedures under the FHWA Merit Promotion Plan. Under this system, you will be eligible for consideration for promotional opportunities at each career level.

This wide range of opportunities can lead to the highest engineering and administrative positions within the Federal Highway Administration. Achievement is rewarded by career growth.

Throughout your career, you will be provided the opportunity to develop your job skills to meet your goals. As your skills develop, so will your chances for advancement and so will the benefits to our organization. The FHWA encourages development and offers training to refresh, update, and build your talents.

Candidates selected for the Highway Engineer Training Program must be willing to maintain geographic mobility not only within the training program but throughout their careers. The location of your first assignment, upon completing the training program, will depend on the needs of the FHWA. As you continue in your career, you will have the opportunity to apply for positions throughout the Nation.

The Highway Engineer Training Program is 24 months of diverse work assignments, varying in length and location. A typical training program includes the following assignments.

If you are currently attending college, determine if a Federal Highway Administration representative is scheduled for an on-campus visit and sign up for an interview. If, however, an on-campus visit is not scheduled, or you have already graduated from college, then forward your resume to the following address:

Federal Highway Administration
Office of Personnel and Training, HPT-31
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590

The Federal Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Hiring and advancement in the Government are based on qualifications and performance. All applicants will receive consideration for appointment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, political affiliations, handicap, or any other nonmerit factor.