Student Assistant - Graphic Designer (Oakland, CA)

Caltrans manages more than 50,000 miles of California’s highway and freeway lanes, provides inter-city rail services, permits more than 400 public-use airports and special-use hospital heliports, and works with local agencies. Caltrans carries out its mission of providing a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California’s economy and livability, with six primary programs: Aeronautics, Highway Transportation, Mass Transportation, Transportation Planning, Administration and the Equipment Service Center.

To learn more visit www.dot ca.gov .

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is seeking to hire a student assistant, in a learning capacity, to work under close the supervision of the Supervisor I of Audiovisual/Graphics Services, the Student Assistant - Graphic Designer I provides creative and production support for visual communications projects that support Caltrans District 4 programs, outreach initiatives, and internal communications. In a learning capacity, the student assistant will assist with the development of digital and print materials while gaining practical experience in a professional graphics and multimedia environment.

Conditions of Employment

This is a part-time, temporary, non-benefited, student position. Employment in all positions with University Enterprises, Inc. is dependent upon the mutual consent of University Enterprises, Inc. and the employee. This means that either University Enterprises, Inc. or the employee can, at any time, terminate the employment relationship at will, with or without cause.

Depending on the type of position you are applying for, a pre-employment background check consisting of one or more of the following may be conducted: employment history, professional references, criminal check: educational verification (degree, license, or official transcript) or DMV clearance. Applicants will be required to pass required pre-employment checks to the satisfaction of University Enterprises, Inc. (UEI) and the hiring Agency or Department.

UEI does not allow students to hold more than one UEI Job at a time, or work in more than one account per pay period. UEI employees who are considering leaving their current UEI student assistant position for a different UEI student assistant position should inform their supervisor in writing and provide at least a week’s notice.

UEI is not a multi-state employer. UEI only employs candidates who live and work in the state of California. If selected for the position you must reside in California and all work must be performed in the state of California throughout the course of employment.

Prerequisites

Must be a college student attending classes during the regular term (Fall, Spring and Winter, if applicable), at one of the accredited colleges or universities on our affiliation list.

To view our current affiliation list please paste the following URL into your browser: http://www.calinterns.org/wp-content/uploads/Affiliation_List.pdf

Students must be enrolled in at least six-semester units or nine quarter units for undergraduate students; four-semester units or six quarter units for graduate students.

Students declared major must matc h the major(s) listed in the job posting.

Majors/Fields of Study

Graphic Design, Visual Communication Design, Digital Media/Digital Arts, Multimedia Studies, or Art Studio/Fine Arts.

Work Schedule

F lexible workdays and work hours, Monday – Friday, between 8 AM – 5 PM. The final work schedule will be determined by the supervisor.

Additional Work Schedule

Student Assistant and Graduate Assistant employees generally work up to 24 hours per workweek (Sunday – Saturday) during the academic year and up to 40 hours per workweek during breaks; (winter, spring, summer).

Compensation

$18.27 – $24.62 per hour.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.
• Must complete each term with minimum unit requirements for Undergraduate and Graduate student classifications. Proof will be collected at the end of each Spring and Fall term.
• Basic knowledge of graphic design principles, typography, layout and composition.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite such as: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and After Effects.
• Ability to communicate effectively in a team environment.
Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Under the amendment to Government Code Section 18220, state agencies shall give preference to a qualified applicant (up to 26 years of age) who is, or has been, a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth, a formerly incarcerated youth, or a victim of human trafficking.
Desirable qualifications include current enrollment in coursework related to graphic design, visual communications, digital media, fine arts, or a related field; basic knowledge of design principles and multimedia production; familiarity with Mac and PC-based software platforms; strong organizational and communication skills; and the ability to work collaboratively, manage multiple assignments, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Duties and Responsibilities

• In a learning capacity, the student assistant will collaborate with graphic designers, audiovisual staff, and program teams to assist in the design and production of flyers, brochures, presentations, social media graphics, infographics, event materials, and other communication assets.
• In a learning capacity, the student assistant duties may also include basic photo editing, multimedia support, organizing digital files, preparing materials for publication, and ensuring projects align with Caltrans branding, accessibility, and communication standards.
  
• In a learning capacity, the student assistant may utilize industry-standard software, including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Microsoft Office applications to support design and production tasks.
In a learning capacity, the student assistant may also assist with incorporating AI-assisted creative tools to support concept development, image enhancement, layout exploration, and workflow efficiencies while ensuring final products meet department quality and compliance standards

Physical Requirements

Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment including computer workstations, telephones, calculators, copiers, printers and scanners with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office environment.

Application Instructions

Please complete all fields of the employment application. Include your educational history in the “Educational Experience” section and any employment history in the “Employment Experience” section of our application.

In addition to your resume, please upload your most recent transcripts.

Apply by: July 31, 2026