AI Innovation Assistants

POSTING #: 26-00086

TITLE: AI Innovation Assistants

TITLE CODE: DIVISION: Student Work Program

UNIT: Various

SALARY: $25 per hour

WORK WEEK: Part Time

ISSUE DATE: 9/30/2026

CLOSING DATE: 12/1/2026

LOCATION: Ewing

The Department of Transportation is seeking forward-thinking, collaborative college students to join our team as Part-Time AI Innovation Assistants. In this role, you will be paired with another student and embedded directly within a specific DOT division (e.g., Engineering, Transit Operations, Traffic Management, or Administration). Together as a dynamic pair, your mission will be to analyze your assigned division's unique workflows, identify opportunities to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI), and help staff implement smart solutions to improve efficiency and public service. If you enjoy teamwork, problem-solving, and want hands-on experience driving technology adoption in public infrastructure, this role offers a unique opportunity to build your portfolio alongside a peer collaborator.

• Division-Specific Embedded Support: Work alongside your assigned student partner to deeply understand the day-to-day operations, tools, and challenges of your designated DOT division.
• Collaborative AI Opportunity Identification: Brainstorm and propose specific AI, machine learning, or automation use cases tailored to your division's needs (e.g., predictive maintenance for transit, traffic flow optimization, or automated document processing).
• Research and Presentation: Partner together to research emerging AI tools and present collaborative, data-driven recommendations to division leadership.
• Staff Integration and Training: Assist division employees in piloting new AI tools, gathering user feedback, and co-creating simple guides to help non-technical staff adopt these technologies.
• Team-Based Project Delivery: Meet regularly with AI interns from other divisions to share insights, cross-reference data, and ensure a cohesive AI strategy across the entire DOT.

• Enrollment: Currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program. Majors in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Business, or Public Policy are preferred, but all enthusiastic students are encouraged to apply.
• Strong Collaboration Skills: Proved ability to work effectively in a team or partner environment; shared problem-solving and accountability are critical to this role.
• Technical Familiarity: A solid understanding of current AI trends and tools (e.g., generative AI, data analysis tools, basic automation workflows).
• Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for division staff.
• Adaptability: Ready to dive deep into a specific operational area of government and learn its unique language and goals.

• Built-in peer support system through a designated student partnership.
• Flexible scheduling that prioritizes your academic commitments.
• Direct exposure to division leadership and modern infrastructure challenges.
• Hands-on portfolio building in an in-demand professional field (AI integration).

Please note that this position is an hourly temporary role and does not offer a benefits package.

Submit your application through the NJDOT website at: https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/about/employ/openings.shtm

Submit a complete packet by the closing date that includes the following documents:

• NJ State Application for Employment (Application instructions can be found at link above)
• Letter of interest
• Current resume
• Copy of unofficial transcript OR foreign degree evaluation

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States according to the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. NJDOT does not provide sponsorship or accept student OPT/CPT program, F1 or H1B work authorization visas.

Incomplete Packets: Applicants MAY NOT be considered if they fail to provide all requested documents upon initial submittal or fail to follow instructions when submitting electronically. Applicants will be selected for an interview on the basis of their application/resume. Current NJDOT employees are not eligible for this opportunity.

NJDOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email dot-hr.ada@dot.nj.gov. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

SAME APPLICANTS: If you are under the NJ "SAME" program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), must be submitted along with your resume by closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME Program visit their Website at: https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email: SAME@csc.nj.gov, or call CSC 609-292-4144, option 3.

New Jersey Is An Equal Opportunity Employer