Army Fellows Program - Civil Engineer

USACE Organization

Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) - Rock Island District

Direct-Hire Authority (DHA)

Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) - Rock Island District

Rock Island, IL

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is seeking highly motivated recent graduates in Civil Engineering to join the Army Fellows Program, a premier two-year developmental program designed to build the next generation of engineering professionals supporting critical national infrastructure and public service missions. As a Civil Engineer Fellow, you will receive structured training, developmental assignments, mentorship, and hands-on experience supporting a diverse portfolio of civil works, military construction, environmental, and emergency management projects.

Fellows work alongside experienced engineers and project delivery teams to plan, design, construct, and maintain infrastructure that strengthens national security, protects communities, and enhances the nation’s quality of life. Throughout the program, Fellows rotate through key functional areas to gain broad exposure to engineering design, project management, construction oversight, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Assignments may include supporting flood risk management projects, navigation systems, ecosystem restoration initiatives, military facilities, dams, levees, and other critical infrastructure projects across the nation.

• Assist in the planning, design, analysis, and execution of civil engineering projects.
• Perform engineering calculations, technical studies, and evaluations using established engineering principles and practices.
• Support project managers, engineers, and multidisciplinary teams in delivering complex infrastructure projects.
• Review engineering plans, specifications, cost estimates, and technical reports.
• Participate in site visits, inspections, and construction oversight activities.
• Analyze engineering data and prepare recommendations for project improvements and solutions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable engineering standards, environmental regulations, and safety requirements.
• Collaborate with federal, state, local, and industry partners to support project delivery.
• Participate in leadership development, formal training, and professional growth opportunities throughout the Fellows Program.

• A structured two-year developmental program.
• Progressive career advancement opportunities.
• Formal leadership and technical training.
• Mentorship from experienced engineering professionals.
• Exposure to enterprise-wide USACE missions and operations.
• Networking opportunities across the Department of the Army and Federal Government.
• Career progression to increasingly responsible engineering positions upon successful completion of the program.

Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.

Must sign a mobility agreement if selected.

Must sign an Army Fellows Participant Agreement if selected.

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.

A Personnel Security Investigation is required.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized

Experience:

One year of specialized experience which includes assisting in the design and construction of civil engineering structures or systems using established criteria or specifications; or, monitoring civil engineering projects and resources; or, identifying civil engineering problems and recommending corrective action. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

Education:

One full year of graduate level education (or will complete by June 2026) in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do…