State of Colorado · 1 day ago
DWR Dam Safety Engineer (PE II).
Weld County, CO
Full-time
Hybrid
Entry, Mid Level
2+ years expThe State of Colorado's Department of Natural Resources is dedicated to managing and conserving Colorado’s natural resources. They are seeking a Dam Safety Engineer responsible for ensuring the safety of dams, preventing potential failures, and assisting citizens with dam safety evaluations and emergency planning.
CommunitiesGovernmentSports
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Dam Safety Engineer position completes inspection and assessment of jurisdictional dams per CRS 37-87-107, 109,125 to determine the safe storage level. Includes file review of historical data, field inspection of dam, advice to dam owner of findings and requirements at the completion of inspection, a written report and follow-up including letters, re-inspection of dam if necessary, or components of the dam such as the outlet conduit, operation of the gate works and inspection of repairs to the dam. Knowledge and skill requirements include, but are not limited to use of computer modeling; dam failure hazard evaluations, using Potential Failure Modes Analysis (PFMA) and consequence analysis to assess dam safety risk, flood hydrology, or statistical analysis of historical rainfall or snowmelt floods, geotechnical analysis of soils including seepage, slope stability analysis; hydraulic analysis of manmade/natural spillway channels and outlet structure systems; geologic/seismologic evaluation of hazards affecting reservoir rim and dam; and state law, regulations and policy
Review design reports, plans & specifications for new dams or repair or modification of existing dams submitted by consulting engineers meeting Rule 4.10 for compliance with the dam safety rules and regulations, the C.R.S., and dam safety industry standard engineering principles and practices. Conduct meetings with owners, consulting engineers and contractors to discuss requirements for new dams and repairs, analyses or modifications to dams. Inspection of constructed work periodically from notice to proceed to completion of construction for conformance with approved plans and specifications
Works to reduce the consequences of a dam emergency, incident or failure of dams through the application of Emergency Action Planning Rules, principles and activities. Review of Emergency Action Plans (EAP’s) submitted for High and Significant hazard dams. Assist dam owners and emergency managers with the creation, fabrication, and distribution of their EAP’s. Coordinate with State and Local Emergency Management partners before and during emergencies. Respond to dam safety emergencies including making critical emergency decisions regarding a potential dam failure. Participate in the response with emergency management resources to decrease the potential for the dam failure, and reduce the risk of loss of life and property damage in the event the failure cannot be prevented
The dam safety engineer position must be proficient in engineering analysis methods required to independently evaluate and determine the safe reservoir storage level behind a dam. This includes using state-of-the-practice engineering methods to assess the consequences of sudden dam failure and assign a hazard classification to the dam. Determine the spillway adequacy of dams in terms of the Dam Safety Rules and Regulations. Conduct Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluation (CDSE) Risk Analyses for high hazard dams including detailed file review, Potential Failure Mode (PFM) identification, screening, review, and analysis. Apply results to semi-quantitative risk categories and determine the appropriate actions to reduce the risks identified. Supporting analysis includes state of the practice methods in hydrology, hydraulics and geotechnical engineering
Manage files for all dams in area of responsibility. Files are organized in a manner easily accessed by them and others for the purposes of review and/or digital scanning. Digital filing system is organized in a manner easily interpreted for access by them and others. Using existing tools such as Laserfiche and Adobe Acrobat Professional and protocols for a paperless workplace for all day-forward correspondence, reporting and documentation of activities to the greatest extent practicable
Provide information and/or training and outreach to build stakeholder knowledge base and relationships related to dams to more effectively reduce dam safety risk statewide or regionally. The audience can vary from either individuals or in group settings, concerning all aspects of the Dam Safety Program. Topics include; Rules and Regulations, State Statutes, dam engineering principles and practices, available resources to dam owners, dam safety emergency response planning, tabletop mock failure exercises to walk through response plans with sheriffs and other first responders. Available audiences include: Dam owners, consulting engineers, state and local emergency response personnel, other State employees and the general public
Qualification
Required
Current, valid licensure as a Professional Engineer from the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors
Two (2) years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position, one of which must have been as a licensed professional engineer
Must be a resident of Colorado by the start date of this position
Must have and maintain valid licensure as a Professional Engineer in Colorado
Applicants who do not have a current, valid licensure as a Professional Engineer from the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors will be required to obtain a Colorado license within six (6) months of hire as a condition of employment
Must be willing and able to possess and maintain a State of Colorado Driver's License
Must be prepared to defend and support actions and records in depositions or court testimony
Must be able to address frequent and detailed inquiries from attorneys, professional engineers and hydrologists from government and private agencies
Must be willing and able to respond to emergency dam safety situations on weekends, holiday, and evenings as needed
Preferred
Current or former State experience relevant to this position
Progressive experience conducting dam safety field inspections and evaluating safety of dams
Experience utilizing Risk Informed Decision Making (RIDM) to support dam safety decision making (evaluation, design, construction, regulation)
Experience with engineering analyses and methods required to support dam evaluation and develop dam design documents (rehabilitation and new construction). This includes hydrologic, hydraulic, geological, geotechnical, and structural elements of civil engineering
Experience overseeing design and construction of dam rehabilitation and/or new dam projects
Experience with dam safety emergency planning and response
Experience managing conflict with internal and external stakeholders
Excellent public service and communication skills
Experience with appropriate modelling and software analysis techniques to support dam safety assessment
Proficiency with Google and Microsoft suites
Benefits
Medical and Dental plans
Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax 401K and 457 plans
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Employee Wellness programs
Flexible Spending Accounts
Health Savings Accounts
11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave
Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options
Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
Company
State of Colorado
Serve the needs of the State of Colorado through a number of subdivisions.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Jeanni Stefanik
Chief Financial Officer
Alan Salazar
Chief Strategy Officer for Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper
Recent News
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