Water Resources Engineer/Project Manager

Interested applicants should submit cover letter and resume to Audrey Turner (aturner@crwcd.org) no later than January 31st.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Based out of our office in Glenwood Springs near the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers.

The Water Resources Engineer/Project Manager performs technical, project management, advocacy, and engineering work in close coordination with and under the general direction of the Director of Asset Management/Chief Engineer. The position involves project management responsibilities, coordinating with consultants and contractors to complete dam, reservoir, recreation area, and mitigation area-related projects. It further entails analyzing, interpreting, and managing dam embankment instrumentation data and ensuring the integrity and safety of dam structures through diligent monitoring and facilitating technical studies. Position will typically involve periodic travel to the District’s project locations and throughout the 15-county territory.

Hiring Salary Range: $85,000 – $110,000

Benefits:

The River District offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package detailed here. Benefits include full health, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents, a $500/month housing stipend, a $1,500 contribution to a dependent care flexible spending account for employees with eligible dependents, paid vacation, sick, and holidays, and more!

TYPICAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Requires a bachelor’s degree in science, geology, engineering, or related field, or advanced technical training and three to five years’ related work experience. Working knowledge of construction and project management principles. Must be a licensed Professional Engineer or Engineer in Training working toward licensure. Must maintain a valid driver’s license.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

In addition to the educational and experience requirements, the following skills are essential to the job:

  • Demonstrated project management experience, preferably in dam operations, maintenance, or related fields.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate succinctly, effectively, and professionally.
  • Ability to work with professionals, the public, other organizations, and government agencies and oversee the work of others, particularly outside consultants.
  • Ability to complete and oversee projects from inception to completion, coordinating both internal and external efforts.
  • Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, Access, and other database management.
  • Aptitude for data communications and problem-solving.

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED SKILLS:

  • Experience with project management software such as Microsoft Project for planning, scheduling, and tracking project progress.
  • Proficiency or expertise in GIS, including simple mapping and geospatial analysis.
  • Knowledge of Colorado hydrology, water administration, and law.
  • Working knowledge of dam safety rules and principles including risk informed decision making, emergency preparedness and consequence reduction, and dam safety best practices.
  • Proficiency in applying water resource management principles, including a functional understanding of the prior appropriation system.
  • Competency with coding in C++, Python, R, or similar languages.
  • Experience with data management and visualization tools such as macros, tableau, and Power BI.
  • Controls Systems training or experience, including the design and use of SCADA.
  • Data and instrumentation automation.
  • Proficiency with AutoCAD.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Manage and oversee dam maintenance projects, including developing scopes of work, coordinating with contractors and consultants, and ensuring timely and on-budget completion.
  • Conduct routine inspections and field work related to dam operations and maintenance, including mechanical troubleshooting of monitoring systems.
  • Provides compilation, reduction, and visualization of dam embankment instrumentation data and other reports in Excel or similar data management software for internal processing and peer review. Monitors data for threshold exceedances. Communicates the results of the dam monitoring program to supervisor, senior leadership, and interested partners.
  • Provides project management support, including working with consultants, suppliers, and contractors to develop scopes of work and successfully complete project scopes on time and within budget. Projects may be associated with dam embankments, spillways, outlet works, wetlands mitigation areas, recreation areas, or other related components.
  • Performs field work, such as simple mechanical maintenance and troubleshooting automated monitoring instrumentation.
  • Assists with implementing Risk Informed Decision Making (RIDM) processes for River District-owned dams.
  • Assists the Director of Asset Management/Chief Engineer in implementing dam safety-related projects, including emergency preparedness training and dam safety evaluations.
  • Works closely with the Director of Asset Management/Chief Engineer and other technical team members on reservoir operation plans and implementation.
  • Assists in implementing the District’s policies, including advocating for them in public settings.
  • Work varies in complexity and requires creative problem-solving, independent judgment, and initiative.
  • Travel is required, mainly throughout the 15-county District, including overnight travel to supervise projects.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Performs other work-related duties as assigned by the Technical Directors, Chief of Operations, and General Manager.

Complete Position Description – Water Resources Engineer/Project Engineer (.pdf)

Interested applicants should submit cover letter and resume to Audrey Turner (aturner@crwcd.org) no later than January 31.

Who We Are

The Colorado River District is a 15-county special district in Western Colorado. Our mission is to lead in the protection, conservation, use, and development of the water resources of the Colorado River basin for the welfare of the District, and to safeguard for Colorado all waters of the Colorado River to which the state is entitled. Each staff member at the District contributes to this mission, serving constituents across Western Colorado.

Our office is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado on the banks of the mighty Colorado River.