CAFO Water Resources Engineer – Entry or Senior

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hiring a CAFO Water Resources Engineer (Entry or Senior dependent upon candidate qualifications) for the Agricultural Runoff Section in the Bureau of Watershed Management Division of External Services. This position’s primary function is to review plans and specifications for construction projects at Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) for conformance with technical standards and Department rules and regulations.

This position is statewide and may be headquartered at any DNR Regional Office, dependent upon space availability and location of the selected candidate.

Remote work may be available for a portion of the work week, after the initial onboarding period.

This recruitment may also be used to fill future engineer positions.

This position will evaluate existing, proposed and emerging water quality protection measures at livestock operations and other agricultural facilities on a statewide basis. The position conducts outreach efforts with both internal and external audiences pertaining to engineering aspects of current rules and standards that apply to agriculture facilities and provides advice on engineering principles that relate to agricultural facilities.

The position also supports water quality modeling activities on a field basis, sub-watershed basis and watershed basis to aid in the evaluation and remediation of agricultural runoff pollution. This position is responsible for the implementation of the CAFO permit program in accordance with the Clean Water Act, ch. 283, Wis. Stats., and chs.  and 243, Wis. Adm. Codes.

To be minimally qualified applicants must meet (and provide appropriate documentation) of at least one of the below requirements:

• Has graduated, or will graduate by time of appointment, from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in a related engineering field such as electrical, mechanical, civil or environmental engineering
• Registration as a Professional Engineer as determined by the Department of Safety and Professional Services per s. 443.04, Wis. Stats.
• A specific record, issued by the professional engineering section of the Department of Safety and Professional Services, showing 4 years or more of experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the professional engineering section and satisfactory completion of the fundamentals of engineering exam
• Have equivalent professional training and practical experience so as to be deemed a professional engineer as defined in Department of Safety and Professional Services per s. 443.01, Wis. Stats. and also deemed to be qualified to engage in professional engineering practice as determined by the Department of Safety and Professional Services per s. 443.03, or 443.04, or 443.05, Wis. Stats.

Best-qualified applicants will also have any of the following preferred qualifications:

• Experience in a regulatory role and communicating with the regulated community.
• Experience with different types of engineered agricultural, stormwater, or wastewater management facilities, practices, and/or principle.
• Experience developing technical standards for multi-agency and/or multi-program implementation.

Starting pay for Entry level is $32.77 to $37.31 per hour (or $68,161.60 to $77,604.80 annually), in addition to excellent benefits and in pay schedule/range 14-14.

Starting pay for Senior level is $38.00 to $45.75 per hour (or $79,040 to $95,160 annually), in addition to excellent benefits and in pay schedule/range 14-13.

In addition, there is $1.00 per hour (or $2,080 annually) added to your base salary for holding a Professional Engineer (PE) license, whether it is held presently or acquired in the future. A PE is not a requirement for this position.

This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit. Pay on appointment will follow the provisions of the State of Wisconsin Compensation Plan. A 12-month probationary period may be required.