Water Structures – Engineering Associate

Overview

This position will remain posted until filled.

Location: This position is intended to work in the Manhattan headquarters office. However, the position could potentially work out of one of the KDA-DWR field offices (in Topeka, Stockton, Garden City or Stafford) if that is more convenient for the applicant.

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Are you looking for a career that makes a difference? Come join our team at the Division of Water Resources. We are a group of individuals dedicated to supporting Kansas communities and citizens by protecting landowner rights, public health and safety, and water resources. We invite you to explore our website at https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/division-of-water-resources to learn more about our work.

The purpose of the Dam Safety Team is to reduce risks to life and property from dam failure. As a member on this team, your responsibilities would include:

• Review plans for constructing and modifying dams
• Ensure quality control during and following construction
• Monitor dams that, if they failed, could cause the loss of life, or interrupt public utilities and services

Engineering Trainee/Engineering Associate – Specific Job Duties:

• Emergency Action Plans: Review Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and provide technical assistance to dam owners and local officials regarding Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines.
• Safety inspection reports: Review dam safety inspection reports and make recommendations for protection of public health and safety.
• Technical assistance: Provide information and technical assistance to dam owners, consultants, and the public related to dam safety, maintenance, and regulations.
• Inspections: Conduct onsite inspections of dams to evaluate safety and compliance with regulations. Prepare and review inspection reports and communicate enforcement actions to the dam owner in a clear & timely manner.
• Conference planning: Organize and facilitate the state’s dam safety conference, including preparing the agenda, acquiring speakers, event planning, and conference promotion.

Professional Engineer – Specific Job Duties:

• Permit processing: Review and process permit applications for water structures projects, primarily dams and dam modifications, but may include stream obstructions, channel changes, levees, and floodplain fill. Review complex engineering plans, specifications, calculations, and reports for compliance with statutes, regulations, and acceptable engineering practices.
• Complaint resolution: Respond to calls and complaints from the public and other agencies. Meet with landowners and conduct onsite inspections to determine compliance with permits and regulations.
  Technical assistance: Provide information and technical assistance to dam owners, consultants, and the public related to dam safety, maintenance, and regulations.
• Inspections: Conduct onsite inspections of dams to evaluate safety and compliance with regulations. Prepare and review inspection reports and communicate enforcement actions to the dam owner in a clear & timely manner.
  This position has the opportunity to telework per guidelines of the Telework Policy of the Kansas Department of Agriculture KDA after one year of service.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be physically able to conduct field inspections.
• Must be able to travel in-state and out of state including overnight.

Employee must have a valid Class C (or higher) Kansas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state. Employee is responsible to maintain an acceptable driving record to safely drive state vehicle and be willing and able to fulfill all job-related travel normally associated with this position.

Education:  

• Bachelor of Science in engineering
• Licensing & Certification:
  • Engineering Trainee Position
    • Working towards obtaining an Intern Engineer Certificate
  • Engineering Associate Position
    • Intern Engineer Certificate recognized by the Kansas Board of Technical Professions
  • Professional Engineer Position
    • Professional Engineer License recognized by the Kansas Board of Technical Professions

Preferred Qualifications (Not Required):

• Education in engineering hydraulics, hydrology and soil mechanics is strongly preferred.
• Good written and verbal communications skills are strongly preferred.
• Experience with GIS software and emergency response is strongly preferred.
• Experience with hydrology and hydraulics are preferred.

Compensation: 

• Pay Range: Engineering
  • Trainee – $63,000 to $66,560 per year
  • Engineering Associate – $72,000 to $73,320 per year
  • Professional Engineer – $85,000 to $90,000 per year

* Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs