Student Assistant - Graphic Designer (Oakland, CA)

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is seeking to hire a student assistant, in a learning capacity, to work under the close supervision of Supervisor I in the Office of Audiovisual/Graphics. In a learning capacity, the student assistant will support the design, production, and coordination of graphic and multimedia materials for District 4 communications, outreach, and audiovisual projects among other duties as assigned. The student assistant will develop an understanding of graphic design principles, multimedia production, Caltrans branding and accessibility standards, project coordination, and professional workplace practices.

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 match 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

Flexible 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 and visual communication.
• Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, or similar software.
• Understanding of basic design, layout, and branding principles.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work well with others and accept feedback.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks.
• Willingness to learn new design tools and technologies.

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.
• Coursework or experience in graphic design, visual communications, digital media, fine arts, or a related field.
• Experience creating graphics or visual content for print, web, social media, or presentations is preferred.
• Familiarity with branding, typography, and accessibility standards.
• Experience using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign is ideal.
• Experience organizing digital files and maintaining digital asset libraries is ideal.
• Interest in emerging design technologies, including AI-assisted design tools.
• Experience working on projects for events, outreach, or public communications.

Duties and Responsibilities

• In a learning capacity, the student assistant will assist with the design and production of graphics for print and digital media, including flyers, posters, brochures, newsletters, banners, presentation materials, infographics, and social media content.
• Assist in maintaining consistency with branding, typography, accessibility, and visual communication standards.
• In a learning capacity, the student assistant will support branding and layout development for District 4 events, outreach campaigns, and internal communications. Utilizing emerging design technologies, including AI-assisted tools, in a learning capacity, to support concept development, image generation, layout exploration, content enhancement, or workflow efficiencies while ensuring final products meet department quality and compliance standards.
  
• In a learning capacity, the student assistant will edit and prepare images, graphics, and files for print, web, and presentation use under supervision.
• Collaborate with staff to incorporate feedback and complete projects within established deadlines.
• In a learning capacity, the student assistant will research current design trends, communication strategies, and multimedia approaches relevant to public sector communications.
• In a learning capacity, the student assistant will support production workflows by organizing project files, maintaining digital asset libraries, and preparing materials for distribution or publication.
• Perform other related assignments as necessary.
• 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.

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: 10/31/2026