TPRB Construction Engineer – Dam Safety SME

TPRB Construction Engineer – Dam Safety SME

ASR is seeking a recognized dam-construction expert to serve as the Construction Engineer member of an independent Technical Peer Review Board (TPRB) supporting the Bureau of Reclamation's feasibility-level Corrective Action Study for El Vado Dam near Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico. El Vado is Reclamation's only steel-faced embankment dam (structural height 229.5 ft). Elevated risks are driven by seepage and internal erosion through the embankment and foundation, and by the deteriorating upstream steel faceplate.

Reclamation is evaluating embankment and foundation alternatives that include exposed geomembrane and concrete lining systems, cutoff walls, remedial grouting, an upstream berm, and possible new embankment or RCC dam options. The TPRB will independently review analyses, constructability, construction risk, and risk-reduction conclusions before a preferred alternative advances to final design. It is a high-visibility, limited-hour SME assignment under ASR's IDIQ with Reclamation.

Key responsibilities include independently reviewing historic geotechnical analyses, geologic investigations, construction records, and dam-safety studies for El Vado Dam (including CAS, comprehensive review, condition-assessment, and geology reports); participating in an in-person kickoff at the Denver Federal Center (Lakewood, CO) and a site visit at El Vado Dam (Tierra Amarilla / Chama, NM); preparing TPRB Technical Memorandum-01 documenting findings from document review and the site visit;

reviewing and commenting on new analyses (slope stability, seepage, settlement, hydrologic and seismic studies, geologic model) and on cofferdam / river-diversion concepts; attending up to four remote design-team meetings (~6 hours each) and five technical correspondence meetings (~2 hours each); independently reviewing Reclamation's Feasibility-Level CAS TM and issuing TPRB Technical Memorandum-02 addressing Reclamation questions and TPRB findings; assessing soundness of conclusions about existing-dam safety, suitability of proposed modifications, and construction risk associated with lining systems, cutoff walls, grouting, earthwork, and temporary works;

coordinating participation through the TPRB Chair and ASR contract administration; complying with Reclamation security, NDA, and contractor-identification requirements.

Required qualifications include a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or Construction Management. Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred. Minimum 20 years of experience on numerous projects, including at least five projects of similar scope involving construction of large new earthen embankment dams and/or dam-safety modifications of high-hazard dams. Demonstrated experience sequencing construction, developing and evaluating construction schedules, and identifying/mitigating construction risk.

Hands-on knowledge of temporary construction features used to control inflows, including earthen and cellular cofferdams and river diversions. Direct construction experience with embankment dams, mass earthwork, haul-road and borrow-site development, concrete construction, exposed geomembrane liners, cementitious grouting, and embankment cutoff-wall systems on high-hazard dams. Working knowledge of multiple delivery methods: design-bid-build, design-build, early contractor involvement (ECI), CMAR, and CM/GC. Recognized expert in dams and dam safety who has conducted or led numerous dam-safety modification projects.

Prior service on a TPRB, Board of Consultants, or comparable independent technical committee for new embankment dams or dam modifications. Equivalent senior credentials may be substituted if TPRB experience is limited. Ability to produce clear written technical memoranda and present findings to a federal design team. Available for limited travel to Lakewood, CO and the El Vado Dam site. U.S. work authorization and willingness to sign Reclamation's federal non-disclosure agreement and comply with Reclamation security training (W  ).