Northern Engineer

Description

Trout Unlimited seeks to hire a self‑motivated and highly capable project manager to identify, plan, and implement projects to benefit aquatic resources, watershed health, and native and wild fish populations in Northern Colorado. The hydrologist will work cooperatively with partners of diverse backgrounds and interests to develop and implement a variety of projects. The project manager will represent Trout Unlimited (TU) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in collaborative settings, actively and effectively participating in stakeholder groups to advocate for positive outcomes for coldwater fisheries.

The engineering position is responsible for planning and administering civil engineering projects, providing professional expertise, and overseeing engineering projects across the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and the Pawnee National Grasslands (ARP). The hired candidate will be employed by Trout Unlimited (TU) and will work directly with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) staff to support agency capacity on watershed restoration projects. TU and the USFS anticipate this position to be stationed at the ARP Supervisor’s Office in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Engineering support for post‑fire recovery work is the primary focus of the position. Responsibilities for this position include the design and construction/contract administration of projects such as aquatic organism passages (AOPs), bridges, drainage structures, culverts, reinforced concrete structures, and forest roads.

• Manage engineering and/or outside consultants to complete necessary designs that meet project deliverables and can be implemented in the field.
• Develop and modify civil engineering plans and specifications for new construction and existing infrastructure. Prepares original designs and preliminary and final layouts, including all phases of low‑volume road design, small bridges, retaining walls, major drainage structures, erosion control features, AOPs, and recreation sites.
• Evaluates design objectives and identifies economic and efficient procedures.
• Develop, design and coordinate with other engineers and consultants to ensure that all technical areas of designs and projects meet Forest Service requirements.
• Review plans and specifications from partners to determine practicability and compliance with Forest Service Specifications and best management practices. Recommend modifications to plans, project partners, and FS staff to maximize resource benefits.
• Investigate and prepare engineering data, engineering cost estimates, and consideration of conditions at work site, field measurements and computations.
• Attend regular partner meetings as a subject matter expert to provide input on proposed activities on USFS lands. Provide feedback to district rangers and their staff on proposed activities.
• Provide technical advice and suitable alternatives to Trout Unlimited, FS partners, ARP Forest Service, and Forest Officials to assure that the contracts meet specifications and contract requirements.

The engineer will promote understanding and cooperation among TU, the USFS, other federal agencies, state agencies, non‑profit organizations, water providers, and other special‑interest groups regarding the management of water resources and infrastructure. The position will support partnerships and collaborations related to the design and implementation of engineering projects across the ARP.

The combination of complex features in assignments requires creative thinking in applying standard engineering practices to new situations, relating new work to precedent cases, and modifying or adapting standard guidelines. The engineer recognizes potential new approaches and revises or refines techniques and methods to achieve effective results. This position is established for complete design, construction, transportation planning and maintenance projects which will be safe, functionally effective activities.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in civil or environmental engineering, or a related field, or three years of relevant experience in civil engineering, or a related field.
• The preferred…