This Dam Safety Branch work unit exists to preserve, protect, develop and maximize the beneficial use of the present and future water supplies in the Upper Colorado River tributary basins in Colorado; to enforce the statutory and judicial laws pertaining to dam safety; and to serve the needs of the public.  The area of responsibility for this position is most centrally located in the Glenwood Springs region. The scope of the position is to specifically safeguard the welfare of the citizens of the state by providing a high degree of assurance that the design construction, and operation of reservoir dams in the state has minimized the risk of failure.  The position will monitor and evaluate the safety and structural integrity of new and existing dams in the state in the interest of public safety and in accordance with state statutes and policies of the Office of the State Engineer.

 

Description of Job

 

The State of Colorado Dam Safety Branch is a nationwide leader in the application of modern risk, hydrologic, and engineering methods to regulating dams in the State.  We strive to serve the public by reducing risk on dams through potential failure modes analysis, inspections, design review, construction oversight, and emergency planning/response while maximizing the available water storage in our mountain west State

The purpose of this position is to prevent the loss of life and property damage from the failure of dams by setting safe storage levels in reservoirs by inspection and engineering evaluation; to provide assistance to citizens of Colorado in the area of dam safety.  The position is responsible for the periodic inspections of dams in the assigned work area in accordance with 37-87-107, CRS; for working with dam owners to create, update and maintain emergency action plans for high and significant hazard dams; conduct design review and construction project inspections to assure compliance with approved plans and specifications in accordance with 37-87-105 CRS; to perform engineering analysis to evaluate hazard classifications, spillway adequacy and dam structural integrity; to manage all data generated through inspection, analysis and owner and engineer communication  related to dams in assigned areas; and to provide dam owner, engineer and public training and outreach regarding dams and the reduction of risk associated with dams in Colorado.

Specific job duties include but are not limited to:
 
Periodic Safety Inspections of Existing Dams: 
Safety inspection 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.  Per our Rules, this will also include developing potential failure modes analysis and application of risk informed decision making in setting safe storage level.

Design Review and Construction Observations:  
Review design reports, plans & specifications for new dams or repair or modification of existing dams submitted by other professional engineers for compliance with the dam safety rules and regulations, the C.R.S. and sound engineering principles.  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.  Review of applications for Livestock Water Tanks, Erosion Control dams and Notice of Intent to Construct a Water Impoundment Structures for conformance with state statutes.
 
Emergency Action Planning and Response Activities: 
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.  Working with owners preparing scopes of work for consultants and grant applications for the FEMA funded inundation mapping grant program.  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.
 
File and Data Management:
Manage existing original paper and digital files for all dams in area of responsibility.  
 
Dam Safety Training and Outreach:
Provide information and/or training and outreach, to individuals and/or group settings such as; dam owners, consulting engineers, state and local emergency response personnel, other State employees and the general public concerning all aspects of the Dam Safety Branch dam safety program.  
 

Other duties as assigned. 

 

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

 

Current, valid licensure as a Professional Engineer from the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors.

AND

Two years of professional experience as a registered Engineer in the design, construction, and safety evaluation of dams. 


Please note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section of your application will be reviewed to determine this. “See Resume” statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

Substitutions: 
Appropriate education in addition to that required for the professional engineer license will
substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

If you are using a degree to substitute for the required experience, you may be required to provide copies of your educational transcripts for verification of your qualifications if requested. 


Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• The ideal candidate will possess a total of 5 years of professional experience as a registered Engineer in the design, construction, and safety evaluation of dams. 
• Demonstrated background in all components of dam safety evaluation, design, and construction.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of potential failure modes analysis (PFMA), development of all loading conditions, risk assessment, and emergency response as related to a variety of dams and dam owners, and construction methods.
• Knowledge and familiarity with Colorado State dam laws, Rules & Regulations and policies. 
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal skills to be able to effectively communicate engineering analysis, recommendations, or concerns to a wide audience including dam owners, engineers, emergency managers, and community leaders. 
• Knowledge and skillset with a variety of computer programs for completing engineering analysis related to evaluation of safety of dams. 
• Demonstrated background in geotechnical, hydrologic and hydraulic, structural,  and GIS based software experience.

Conditions of Employment: 

• Effective September 20, 2021, employees will be required to attest to and verify that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Employees who have not been fully vaccinated will be required to submit to twice-weekly serial testing. Testing details will be provided during the onboarding process. Upon hire, new employees will have three (3) business days to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination, or begin twice-weekly serial testing for COVID-19.
• Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. 
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify their application from the current position.  (Please Note: Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with DNR). 
• Must  possess and maintain a State of Colorado Driver's License
• Must possess a current P.E. License in the State of Colorado. 
• Must be willing and able to travel throughout assigned district to complete duties described above including during emergency situations as well as various sites within the State of Colorado as well as occasional travel outside of the State for trainings and/or meetings. 

The current work arrangement for this position is as follows: 
(Please note, this arrangement can be subject to change)

• Hybrid schedule - working from a home office in combination with field duties and 1 to 2 days per week in assigned District office in Glenwood Springs is anticipated. 
• It is preferred that the selected candidate reside in or have a home office in or near the boundaries of the district.

 (This position will at times have a responsibility to report to work during emergencies, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. The ideal candidate must be willing to live within thirty (30) minutes' driving time, under normal weather conditions, of where the work station and/or equipment is located. This location may allow candidates to live within forty-five (45) minutes to one (1) hour of the work station. The decision to allow this will be made at the time a job offer is made. (This is necessary in order to report in a timely manner after being notified to report for emergency work. Knowledge of an emergency or hazardous condition may be considered to be notification to report to work station.)