Engineer III or II - Eastern Regional Office; Vernal

ENGINEER III OR II - EASTERN REGIONAL OFFICE (VERNAL)

May underfill at level II depending on experience and qualifications.

FT / PT Status – Full-Time

Salary – $35.25 - $48.00 Hourly Wage

Remote Work / In-Office – In-Office / On-Site

Final date to receive applications – 9/16/2026*

The Utah Division of Water Rights is seeking a qualified engineer to join our Eastern Region office located at 318 North Vernal Avenue, Vernal, Utah 84078. The candidate serves as an assistant regional engineer and will assist water users in understanding water rights, filing acceptable applications, participate in hearings, and prepare draft orders of the State Engineer. The employee participates in other regional office activities, such as water distribution, stream alteration, dam safety and adjudication.

Day-to-day responsibilities of this position:

• Assist the public in answering questions, reviewing water rights and other files, and explaining office procedures, policy guidelines, and statutes.
• Conducts field reviews, takes measurements, documents findings and prepares initial drafts of decisions.
• Assists the regional engineer and other staff members on water distribution issues that arise in the area.
• Reviews studies and other documents to inform water management decisions within the area.
• Conduct dam safety inspections and prepares inspection reports under the direction of the regional engineer and dam safety section.
• Attend meetings and participate in hearings, give presentations at public meetings. Interface with local government leaders, consult on local water right issues, and advise the state engineer about conflicts, problems, and partnership opportunities that exist with local governments.
• Assists in the training and support of other staff members in the regional office.

Minimum or "day-one" qualifications:

• Principles, theories, and practices of civil engineering.
• Use logic to analyze or identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts associated with information or data to draw conclusions.
• Use automated software applications.
• Communicate information and ideas clearly, and concisely, in writing; read and understand information presented in writing.
• Establish objectives and specify the strategies and actions to achieve these objectives.
• Coordinate the activities or tasks of people, groups and/or organization(s).
• Make a decision or solve a problem by using logic to identify key facts, explore alternatives, and propose quality solutions.
• Communicate effectively in English; oral and written.
• Control or direct the operation of a program or function.
• Agency mission, goals, objectives, organization, programs, and business practices.
• Develop approaches for implementation of an idea, program or change in operations.
• Knowledge of state water right laws, rules, and policies established by the state engineer.

Ideal Candidate will have:

• Excellent written communication skills.
• Ability to verbally communicate complex ideas to stakeholders.
• Listen and comprehend concerns expressed by stakeholders.
• Ability to use technical skills to analyze proposals and develop solutions.
• Experience in hydrology, groundwater flow and hydraulics.
• A background and/or interest in water resource law and policy.
• An understanding of common principles and practices of real property conveyance.
• An ability to use logic to analyze complex technical subjects together with the ability to make decisions based on analysis.
• Preference will be given to candidates that have graduated with an EAC/ABET accredited degree in engineering with the ability to become licensed as a professional engineer in the State of Utah, if not already licensed.

The best candidate for Engineer III will have:

• A Bachelor’s degree, or higher, in an…