Engineer EIT

Engineering Design Team Position

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and all selective requirements will be placed on the eligible list.

The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.

The Iowa DNR is seeking a motivated engineer to join our Engineering Design team. This position offers a unique opportunity to help preserve and improve Iowa's public lands and facilities. Working under the direct mentorship of a Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.), the successful applicant will ensure that state infrastructure—from state parks to wildlife areas—is safe, compliant, and built to serve the public for generations.

The position is open to pending December 2026 graduates in the civil, construction, environmental or agricultural engineering fields.

Responsibilities include assisting with develop designs and drawings using Auto Desk Civil 3D. Utilizing engineering software to calculate or modify construction quantities and supplementary project information. Utilize and create computer-generated maps, plans, or displays to illustrate project details. Develop tools or workflows to more efficiently design construction projects. Assist with the preparation of Contract Documents including drawings, specifications, construction estimates, and bid documents, and assist with the determination of applicable construction alternatives if contracts require modifications.

This position will work on site at projects to provide assistance to field engineers and surveyor on an as-needed basis. Assistance may include construction observation, operating survey equipment, and inspection of the contracted work to verify that it meets specified requirements.

This position will also provide support and administrative assistance including but not limited to providing permitting assistance in tracking and preparing permit applications, securing necessary permits for construction projects, researching historic construction data, and maintaining up to date reference material.

The Department values continuous learning. The successful candidate will be expected, and encouraged to attend workshops and seminars to advance their skills in Auto Desk Civil 3D, modern construction methods, and engineering design.

Essential Functions:

• Apply the principles and practices of facilities engineering and of state building codes, rules and regulations.

• Preparation of complete engineering plans and specifications for a variety of building facilities; estimating and scheduling using computers and specialized software.

• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing with DNR staff, management personnel, and other state and federal agencies.

• Read, interpret, and accurately obtain necessary information from engineering related source documents/data to document proposals, search for precedents, and seek out alternative procedures for engineering problems or projects.

• Provide assistance with inspection and construction observation of capital projects; coordinate contractor relations, change orders and payment requests; ability to adjust to change, work pressures or difficult situations without undue stress.

• Travel across the state as required.

Critical Job

Competencies:

Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Communication Skills, Team Player, Interpersonal Skills, Customer Focus, Self-Management, Computer Skills, Technical Skills (design/drafting).

What You Get From Us:

• A competitive pay plan and rewarding work.
• Insurance benefits that start the first of the month following 30 days of employment. (Premiums can start as low as $64/month for single and $210/month for family coverage).
• Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that start on the first day and can roll over annually.
• Nine paid holidays/year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match.
• Optional deferred compensation (457/401A) plan with employer match.
• Professional training opportunities.
• Family friendly and professional work environment.
• Employee Discount Programs (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel,…