Staff Engineer, Environmental Engineer

Salary : $60,606.32 - $75,757.90 Annually
Location : Newton, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 02334
Department: Utilities and Engineering
Opening Date: 05/22/2026
Closing Date: 6/5/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

New as of 01/01/2026:

Your well-being matters from the start - benefited new hires are eligible for up to 40 hours of advanced annual leave and 40 hours of advanced sick leave.
Position Description
Catawba County is recruiting a highly self-motivated engineer for an entry-level Staff Engineer position designed to introduce the individual to the field of civil and environmental engineering, particularly in solid waste, stormwater, water and wastewater, infrastructure, and air quality. The Staff Engineer will work in a team environment and report directly to a Project Engineer. This collaborative approach will help the new graduate become familiar with basic concepts, including fieldwork and testing, erosion and sedimentation control inspections and plan review, modeling, and engineering reporting.
Expected hiring range is $60,606.32 - $75,757.90 based on qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Project construction oversight (landfill, and/or water/sewer)
• Perform scheduled field inspections for sedimentation and erosion control small site permits
• Record inspection results from the field into the Smart Gov or similar software system
• Provide communication and guidance to owners/contractors as needed for compliance
• Perform field work associated with Landfill State permitting compliance
• System Modeling of water and sewer infrastructure
• Prepare technical memoranda, electronic deliverables, and/or reports
• Evaluate concrete and street paving conditions
• Calculate material quantities and generate cost estimates

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a specifically related field

PREFERENCES:

• Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certification
• Certified Professional in Erosion and Sedimentation Control (CPESC)

Additional Requirements

• Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certification or ability to obtain during probationary period
• Valid driver's license with a safe driving record (Driving is an essential function of this position)
• Understanding of construction means, methods, and best practices
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate with the public and other internal and external professionals in a tactful, positive way
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in applying standards
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• This position is considered light work; ability to lift up to 20 pounds on a regular basis; sitting most of the time with ability to walk during onsite inspections/investigations.

As of 7/1/2025:
You will find that Catawba County has one of the best benefits packages around. Our Human Resources staff are dedicated to keeping in touch with trends in benefits on both a local and national level, listening to employees' suggestions regarding benefits, and continually reviewing to ensure our benefits package is of good quality and meets the needs of both our employees and our organization.
Available benefits include:

Health Care

• Health: For a small bi-weekly premium, employees may choose between a traditional (co-pay) health plan and a high deductible health plan coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), or family.
• Dental Insurance: At no cost to full-time employees, the County covers preventive, routine, and non-routine care. Coverage for the same benefits may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), and family. In addition, a $2,000 benefit toward orthodontia coverage is provided for children up to age 19.
• Vision Care: Coverage is available, at group rates, for employee and dependents,with 2 plan options to choose from.
• Supplemental critical care and accident insurance plans: These optional coverage plans are available at a nominal cost.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax accounts that can be used to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses.

Employee Wellness

• Employee Health Clinic (EHC): An employee medical clinic,…