Engineering Associate I

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy:

• Job Posting closes: May 27, 2026

Kansas Department of Transportation

At KDOT, we reward our staff’s hard work by providing training opportunities, a family-oriented work environment and service recognition. Promotional opportunities, free parking, and potential hybrid work schedules are also offered. KDOT is a great place to work, so come be part of our team!

Verification of identity and employment eligibility to work in the United States is required by federal law. For a list of acceptable documents that establish these criteria, please refer to the federal Form I-9. KDOT does not provide sponsorships for this position.

E-Verify: The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please click here. For additional information regarding Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) please click here.

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday – Friday
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans’ Preference Eligible: Yes
• Search Keywords: Topeka, Holton, Oskaloosa, Lawrence, Ottawa, Osage City, Eskridge, Alma, Wamego

Compensation:

• Annual Base Salary: $66,560.00

Note: Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications

Employment Benefits:

• Work-Life Balance Programs:
  • Paid Leave: Vacation, Holidays, Parental, Military, Sick, Funeral and Jury Duty
  • Employee Assistance Program
    • For help managing daily life at no cost to you
  • Infant at Work Program
  • Voluntary Benefits: Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• First-Day Coverage:
  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vison Insurance
  • Tax Advantage Accounts: HSA, HRA, FSA with qualifying plans
• Life Insurance:
  • Employer paid basic group life
  • Optional group life insurance available at a reasonable cost.
• Retirement:
  • KPERS and Deferred Compensation
• Other Benefits:
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Paid on-the-job training programs.
  • Personal and Professional Development Opportunities
  • Employee discounts with the STAR Program
  • And more!

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

Position Summary:

This Engineering Associate position is located in Topeka, at the Materials and Research Center, and is within the Bureau of Research. This Engineering Associate I will perform a wide variety of complex technical duties in various phases of research, development, implementation, and technology transfer.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

• Serve as a principal investigator on federally and state funded development and implementation projects, interacts with and assists the Bureau of Innovation when needed, and acts as a project monitor on university research projects, usually with a focus to advanced or cross disciplinary technologies.
• Coordinate federally and state funded research, development and implementation projects and investigations at KDOT. This includes developing a scope of work, coordinating the appropriate entities, identifying and procuring the required resources, coordinating staff and seeing the project through to completion.
• Facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise from the non-traditional transportation engineering and information technology disciplines into the civil engineering and transportation disciplines.
• Direct and monitor cross-disciplinary research and advanced and innovative technologies (across all engineering and IT disciplines) and identify areas where the application of such research results and expertise would benefit KDOT. Match KDOT’s needs with available resources, identify funding sources and propose development and implementation projects to management.
• Write, edit and issue formal or informal reports, letters, memos, specifications and other documents to the appropriate Kansas DOT Bureaus, Universities, and other research and developers. Make presentations as needed to various entities on the activities of the advanced technology research program.

View the full position description

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• 4 years of experience in Engineering.
• Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency. Transcripts are required for education to be considered.
• Ability to obtain an Intern Engineer Certificate within the first year of employment.
• Valid Driver’s License at time of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Civil Engineering
• Intern Engineer Certification recognized by the Kansas Board of Technical Professions

Post-Offer/Pre-employment Requirements:

• This position is subject to pre-employment physical capacity testing. The selected candidate will be required to pass the screening as a condition of employment.
• Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law. If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Kim Munoz
• Email: KDOT.HQ.JobApps@ks.gov
• Phone: (785) 296-8206

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers -> “My Account Information” page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and submit when it is complete.
  • Manage your drafted and submitted applications on the Careers -> “My Job Applications” page.
• Check your email and the “My Job Notifications” page for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email – sent to the Preferred email on the “My Account Information” page.
  • Notifications – view the Careers -> “My Job Notifications” page.

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Optional Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

• Transcripts (if substituting education)
• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume (or choose existing if you have one)
• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability, or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.