Civil or Environmental Engineering Co-op Intern

About the role

SWCA is seeking enthusiastic Civil or Environmental Engineering Co‑ops (HR Title: Intern – Engineering) to join our Spring 2027 team in Chicago, IL. This role offers a dynamic mix of office and field experience, giving you the chance to collaborate with talented, multi‑disciplinary engineering professionals. As an Engineering Co‑op, you will apply your passion for civil or environmental engineering in real‑world projects, while building critical skills in communication, problem‑solving, and teamwork. We are looking for students with a positive attitude, eagerness to learn, flexibility, and strong collaboration skills. Your role will be filled with exciting challenges and hands‑on projects, running from January 4th, 2027 until April 23rd 2027. This is a paid, 40‑hour/week co‑op with a competitive rate of $24/hour. Preference will be given to candidates located in the Chicago, IL area; however, qualified candidates residing in Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Indiana will also be considered.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee‑owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges. We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA, we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices nationwide, SWCA offers a collaborative, team focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long‑term careers.

Responsibilities

• Support project managers and field lead in various engineering projects (stream restoration, wetland restoration, site grading, stormwater management, inspections, etc.).
• Engage in office tasks such as data clean‑up, reporting, and other tasks supporting the Engineering team.
• Conduct fieldwork across office locations and nearby states, including hiking for extended periods.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and independently when required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a college or university, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering, or a related field.
• Completed the first year of the engineering curriculum.
• Master’s degree candidates will also be considered; Ph.D. candidates are not eligible through this program.
• Students who have completed at least their sophomore year are highly preferred.
• Enrollment in a co‑op program integrated into your university curriculum is required.
• Ability to travel to the field approximately 50% of the time, including spending up to a week or two at a project location.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle in remote or backcountry conditions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D through coursework, projects, co‑op experience, or volunteer work.
• Familiarity with GPS devices, digital data collection, and mapping software such as ArcGIS.
• Experience with technical writing or preparing reports.

Benefits

• Paid wellness time.
• Opportunities to build technical skills and gain experience across a variety of environmental projects.

Pay

$24.00 per hour (40‑hour/week co‑