Dams & Canals Engineer

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State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.

 

Help protect and improve the infrastructure that delivers water, supports agriculture, provides flood control, and serves communities across Montana.

 

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is seeking a licensed Professional Engineer to join the State Water Projects Bureau as a Dams & Canals Engineer. In this role, you will lead and support rehabilitation, repair, inspection, design, and construction projects involving state-owned dams, canals, and associated water-conveyance infrastructure.

 

This is an opportunity to apply your engineering expertise to complex, meaningful projects—from early feasibility work through design, contracting, construction oversight, and project closeout. Every project is different, and your work will help ensure the safe, reliable operation of vital water systems for years to come.

 

Why this work matters

DNRC’s Water Resources Division administers 19 state water-storage projects, including 23 dams and more than 250 miles of irrigation canals. These systems provide irrigation delivery, water storage, flood control, recreation, and other natural resource and public benefits throughout Montana.

 

As part of the State Water Projects Bureau’s Rehabilitation Section, you will help maintain and modernize this infrastructure while collaborating with water users’ associations, consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, and public partners.

 

What you will do

You will provide civil engineering leadership and project-management support for dam and canal rehabilitation projects. Key responsibilities include: 

• Developing scopes of work, schedules, budgets, feasibility analyses, designs, specifications, and bid packages.

• Managing engineering consultants through feasibility, design, and construction administration.

• Reviewing technical work involving geotechnical, hydrologic, hydraulic, structural, mechanical, environmental, and economic analyses.

• Managing construction contracts ranging from small repair projects to multimillion-dollar rehabilitation efforts.

• Providing construction oversight and reviewing schedules, payment requests, change orders, claims, inspections, and closeout documentation.

• Preparing clear field reports, technical reports, correspondence, presentations, and other project documentation.

• Building productive working relationships with water users’ associations, contractors, regulatory agencies, and federal, state, and private partners.

• Inspecting dams and related structures, including annual and regulatory five-year inspections.

• Identifying operational, maintenance, and repair needs; prioritizing solutions; and coordinating implementation.

 

This position may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

 

Starting pay will be determined based on your education and relevant experience. During your employment, you may be eligible to advance to higher pay levels.

 

Core Values of DNRC’s Water Resources Division

• Valuing People

• Stewardship

• Service

• Credibility

• Engagement

   

 

Why Helena? Why Montana?

Helena is Montana’s capital city and a hub for government, healthcare, and outdoor adventure. It offers a small‑city feel with the amenities of a state capital. Residents enjoy short commutes, a walkable historic downtown, and a strong sense of community.

 

In Helena and the surrounding area, you will find:

• Miles of nearby trails for hiking, biking, running, and dog walking.

• Easy access to rivers and lakes for fishing, paddling, boating, and swimming, plus skiing and snow sports within a short drive.

• A relaxed, outdoor-oriented lifestyle with four distinct seasons, vibrant local events, and thriving food and beverage scene.

• Montana is known for its wide‑open spaces, public lands, and tight‑knit communities. Helena offers the chance to live in a place people seek out for its landscapes and recreation, while doing work that directly shapes Montana’s future.

 

Benefits Include:

• Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays). Vacation leave increases with years of service.

• Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts.

• Access to free employee medical clinics and telehealth.

• Retirement plans (Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plus an optional 457b Plan).

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - may qualify you for student loan forgiveness.

• Longevity pay with continued state service.

Minimum Qualifications (or equivalent combinations of education and experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited program, or a closely related ABET-accredited engineering degree such as environmental or geotechnical engineering.

• Current Professional Engineer licensure, with Montana PE licensure required within six months of hire.

• At least two years of applicable professional engineering experience after PE licensure.

• Specialized education or experience in a civil-engineering discipline relevant to irrigation or water-conveyance systems, such as geotechnical, hydrologic, hydraulic, or structural engineering.

 

Preferred experience

• Water-resources design, construction, operation, or maintenance.

• Dam, canal, irrigation, or other water-conveyance infrastructure.

• Surveying, water measurement, legal land descriptions, contracts, technical writing, and construction practices

• CAD, GIS, hydraulic analysis software, spreadsheets, and field testing or surveying equipment.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Successful candidates will bring:

• Knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices related to dams, canals, irrigation systems, and water-conveyance infrastructure, including hydraulics, hydrology, geotechnical, structural, and construction engineering.

• Knowledge of engineering inspection, condition assessment, rehabilitation design, construction administration, and project-management practices.

• Skill in evaluating infrastructure conditions, identifying risks and repair needs, and developing practical, cost-effective engineering solutions.

• Skill in developing scopes of work, schedules, budgets, plans, specifications, cost estimates, and bid documents.

• Skill in managing consultants, contractors, construction activities, and multiple projects from planning through closeout.

• Skill in preparing clear technical reports, field documentation, correspondence, and presentations for technical and nontechnical audiences.

• Ability to interpret engineering plans, specifications, contracts, technical data, and regulatory requirements.

• Ability to build effective working relationships with water users’ associations, contractors, consultants, regulatory agencies, and public partners.

• Ability to work independently, exercise sound professional judgment, manage competing priorities, and make defensible recommendations.

• Ability to safely perform fieldwork in variable weather and terrain, including inspecting embankments, spillways, canals, and confined spaces as required.

 

Work Environment

Fieldwork makes up approximately 15% of the position and may involve work in varied weather conditions, uneven terrain, embankments, spillways, ladders, manholes, conduits, and other confined spaces.

 

How to Apply

To be considered, please submit the following via the State of Montana Careers site:

• Cover letter describing your interest in this position and how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and qualifications.

• Resume or CV.

 

E-Verify: This agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https\://www.e-verify.gov/