Student Project Engineer

April 10, 2026
$27 / hour

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Job Description

About the Job: Student Project Engineer

Company: Tunista Construction LLC

Employment Type: Temporary

Pay Range: $22 – $27 per hour

Why choose us?

As a proud subsidiary of Calista Brice, we’re part of a family of 20+ companies tackling tough construction, environmental, and technical challenges. Working at a Calista Brice company means joining a team where cultural values and practical innovation come together to create meaningful impact. You’ll experience the stability of a large organization while enjoying the tight-knit community and entrepreneurial spirit of a smaller company, with opportunities to grow your career across our diverse family of businesses.

Calista Brice is owned by Calista Corporation, an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC) established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. ANCs were created to support economic development and self-determination for Alaska’s Indigenous peoples. Our work directly contributes to advancing the social, cultural, and economic welfare of over 35,000 Alaska Natives in the Calista Region.

What does Tunista Construction LLC do?

Tunista Construction delivers heavy civil contracting services throughout Washington State, building a strong reputation with major government agencies and private clients. Our portfolio includes successful design-build and bid-build projects for the Department of Defense, Washington State Department of Transportation, and various public and private entities, giving you exposure to diverse project types and construction methods. Our culture emphasizes safety, quality, and results-focused execution. You’ll develop valuable construction skills while contributing to significant infrastructure projects that improve transportation and facilities across the region.

Tunista Construction is a proud subsidiary of Calista Brice, a group of 20+ companies delivering construction, engineering, and environmental solutions across the United States.

What can you expect?

As the Student Project Engineer, you will work in the field and/or field offices at our project sites, along with working with the teams at our main office located in Tacoma, WA. You will be responsible for assisting the Project Managers, onsite Superintendents, Foreman, and Project Engineers with documentation and administrative functions of the projects. The position may provide an opportunity to transition to an additional full-time summer Student Project Engineer and/or entry level Project Engineer position.

How will you do it?

  • Work within the companies Core Values and Mission Statement for Safety and Behavior.
  • Maintain punctuality and agreed upon work schedule.
  • Collect timecards and equipment usage reports.
  • Assist Superintendent with daily project reports.
  • Enter information into Heavy Job software daily for time and equipment entry; maintain quantities and apprise Superintendent of all costs and quantities.
  • Review and calculate quantities upon receipt of pay estimate.
  • Assist with implementation site storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP).
  • Maintain an organized field office.
  • Maintain job diary, job photograph and video logs.
  • Draft route correspondence as needed.
  • Document changed work and conditions for Superintendent, Project Manager and Corporate Office.
  • Assist with project health, safety, and environmental requirements.
  • Assist Superintendent and Project Engineer with updating project schedule.
  • Assist in entering job costing and additional data entry.
  • Work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Functions:

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Basic knowledge of construction industry and willingness to learn heavy civil construction trade.
  • Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.
  • Ability to gather and analyze information skillfully and develop alternative solutions.
  • Ability to work well in group problem solving situations.
  • Ability to focus on solving conflict, maintain confidentiality.
  • Ability to communicate utilizing both verbal and written methods.
  • Ability to set and achieve challenging goals; demonstrate persistence and overcome obstacles.
  • Ability to prioritize and plan work activities; use time efficiently.
  • Ability to approach others in a tactful manner; react well under pressure.
  • Ability to work with a high level of accuracy and thoroughness; ability to look for ways to improve and promote quality; ability to apply feedback to improve performance; ability to monitor own work to ensure quality.
  • Ability to observe safety and security procedures, determine appropriate action beyond guidelines, report potentially unsafe conditions, and use equipment and materials properly.
  • Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, change approach or method to best fit the situation, and able to deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.
  • Ability to follow instructions and respond to management direction.
  • Ability to operate a motor vehicle in a safe and efficient manner.
  • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
  • Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees.
  • Ability to read and interpret technical documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
  • Adequate knowledge of database software, spreadsheet software and word processing software.
  • Good working knowledge of various personal computer business software applications presently used by the Company, and ability to learn new applications.

Who is Tunista Construction looking for?

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Enrolled in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Engineering, or related course studies.
  • Computer skills including MS Word and Excel.
  • Valid current state driver’s license and must be qualified to operate a vehicle under the conditions of Company’s Driving Policy.
  • Ability to pass a drug, driving record and background screening.

Working Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is consistent with typical construction environments. Work may require occasional weekend and/or evening work. Professional and appropriate construction attire including safety toe work boots will be required. Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided as needed.

More reasons you will love working with Tunista Construction LLC:

  • Health insurance through the Federal Employee Benefit Program (FEHB) with many plans to choose from with ridiculously low employee premiums. *Eligible if expected to work 130 hours per month or more for at least 90 days.
  • Dental and Vision Insurance. *Eligible first of month after completing 60 days of employment with an average hours of 30 or more/week.
  • FSA health care and/or dependent care/HSA with HDHP.
  • Employee Assistance Program for you and your family.
  • 401(K) match at $0.50 on the dollar up to 6% of your contribution once you have worked 6 months or worked 1000 hours of service whichever occurs first.
  • Benefits may vary based on status of position and subject to associated plan eligibility provisions, or company handbook. For questions, please email the Human Resources Department at recruitment@calistabrice.com.

How Do You Apply?

Please visit our careers page at www.calistabrice.com and select Tunista Construction LLC under the company tab.

You have questions, or need assistance with applicant accommodation, how do you reach a recruiter from Tunista Construction LLC? Simply reach out to recruitment@calistabrice.com

As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

Join us and let’s get started!

For the full job description including physical and environmental demands please reach out to recruitment@calistabrice.com

PREFERENCE STATEMENT

Preference will be given to Calista shareholders and their descendants and to spouses of Calista shareholders, and to shareholders of other corporations created pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, in accordance with Title 43 U.S. Code 1626(g).

EEO STATEMENT

Additionally, it is our policy to select, place, train and promote the most qualified individuals based upon relevant factors such as work quality, attitude and experience, so as to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws and without regard to non-work related factors such as race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, genetic information, or other protected status. When applicable, our policy of non-discrimination applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, transfer, promotion, placement, layoff, compensation, termination, reduction in force and benefits.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

It is Calista and Subsidiaries’ business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.