Dam Safety Engineer

Overview

Dam Safety Engineer

Location:

Salt Lake City, Utah

As a Dam Safety Engineer, you will safeguard public and environmental well-being by helping oversee dam safety programs, conduct inspections, and review dam designs and construction projects. The role requires strong attention to detail, commitment to compliance, and the ability to educate and work with dam owners and consultants. You will help ensure compliance with state regulations, support hazard assessments, and improve dam safety practices.

As one of the oldest agencies in the State of Utah, the Division of Water Rights within the Department of Natural Resources plays a central role in managing Utah’s water resources. Water users depend on the Division to provide consistency and certainty in water distribution across the state. As part of this team, you will help protect public safety by supporting dam safety efforts statewide.

You will work in a demanding field with direct impact on communities, infrastructure, agriculture, and daily life in the arid West. See more details here.

Dam Safety Engineer

This role is responsible for ensuring the safety and compliance of assigned dams through comprehensive coordination, inspection, and review.

• Participates in a variety of activities including feasibility, materials, research, design, concept and scoping, environmental safety, specifications, schedules, and revisions in the process of designing and developing engineering projects.
• Participates in the planning, designing, construction and maintenance of facilities.
• Monitors and evaluates contract/contractor performance to ensure compliance with contract; recommends action(s) to correct deficiencies.
• Designs, develops, and conducts a variety of research projects; determines appropriate methodologies, information sources, sampling strategies, and data-collection tools, etc.
• Collects data and reviews research materials, determines accuracy and validity of sources and appropriateness for use.
• Prepare engineering and design documents using computer assisted engineering and design software and equipment.
• Works with, coordinates, and/or supervises consultants, or contract employees, in the performance of their contracted duties.
• Coordinates and assists other team members in duties related to dam safety.
• Other tasks as assigned.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree or higher in Civil or Environmental Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
• Certification:
  Possession of an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate, or the ability to obtain one within six months of hire.
• Knowledge Base: A foundational understanding of soil mechanics, open-channel hydraulics, and hydrology. Ability to interpret engineering plans and specifications for earthen and concrete structures.
• Field Investigation & Physical Agility
• Visual Inspection:
  Ability to perform detailed visual inspections of dam embankments, spillways, and outlet works to identify deficiencies such as seepage, cracking, or structural movement.
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions. Capable of traversing steep, uneven terrain, navigating dense vegetation, and performing inspections in confined or remote locations.
• Regulatory Communication & Technical Writing
• State Statutes and Rules:
  Familiarity with the state statutes and rules that govern the Dam Safety Program in Utah.
• Owner Relations:
  Ability to act as a firm but professional representative of the State, communicating complex safety requirements to diverse stakeholders.
• Reporting:
  Proficiency in drafting clear, concise, and legally defensible inspection reports and compliance letters that outline necessary corrective actions.
• Analytical Software & Technology
• Hydrologic Modeling:
  Knowledge of HEC-RAS and HEC-HMS for dam-breach analyses and flood-routing simulations.
• Geotechnical Modeling:
  Knowledge of Geotechnical tools such as Slope/W, Seep/W, or similar.
• Geospatial Tools:
  Knowledge of ArcGIS or similar GIS software to aid in breach analysis and flood inundation mapping.
• Public Safety Commitment
• Public Mindset: A strong sense of ethical responsibility toward public safety.
• Emergency Response:
  Willingness to assist in emergency monitoring and response efforts during extreme weather events or structural failures.

• Has passed the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, or will pass within 12 months of hire.
• This position requires Statewide travel. The incumbent could be required to make 1-2 overnight trips a week and/or be required to stay away from home for consecutive nights.
• Required to climb moderately steep slopes, hike over rough terrain, and operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles on unimproved roads, moderate lifting ability.
• Work in field conditions and comfortable working around heavy construction equipment.
• Work in all weather conditions.