Dam Safety Engineer

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking to hire a Dam Safety Engineer for The Office of Water Resources Management. The person in this position will serve as a licensed engineer, maintain an accurate inventory of dams in the state of Illinois, conduct inspections of dams and review dam applications for permit and emergency action plans, and serves as a supervisor providing guidance and training to staff. We welcome all interested applicants to apply. 

Essential Functions

• Under general direction of the Dam Safety Section Manager serves as a licensed engineer for the Northern region and as needed in the Central region.
• Conducts field inspections of dams in accordance with the terms of the FEMA Dam Safety grant agreement.
• Assists with the determination of dam classification in the state of Illinois.
• Serves as full-line supervisor.
• Investigates and works to remediate dam safety violations.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college, preferably with courses in business or public administration.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.
• Requires an Illinois Professional Engineer license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers extensive knowledge of dams, including embankments, floodwalls, spillways, and outlet works.
• Prefers extensive knowledge of a wide range of state and federal statutes, rules and policies related to dams.
• Prefers working knowledge of the principles and practices of hydrology, hydraulics, and geotechnical engineering to supervise the inspection and review of dams.
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience with staff utilization and employee motivation.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience with oral and written communication skills.
• Certification in Floodplain Management (CFM) is preferred.

Conditions of Employment

All applicants must be able to meet the following Conditions of Employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position. The State of Illinois complies with federal and state disability laws and will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities:

1. Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.

2. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license

3. Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description. 

Agency and Division Statement

Office of Water Resources

The Office of Water Resources (OWR) is the lead state agency for water resources planning, navigation, floodplain management, the National Flood Insurance Program, water supply, drought, and interstate organizations on water resources.  Interagency duties include the state water plan, drought response, flood emergency reports, and the comprehensive review of Illinois water use law.  OWR is responsible for construction in the shore waters of Lake Michigan, construction and operation of dams, construction in public bodies of water, and diversion of water from Lake Michigan, and withdrawal of water from three Federal lakes (Shelbyville, Carlyle, and Rend Lakes).  The primary capital activity of the office is in urban flood damage reduction. The office assists units of local government with urban flood damage reduction projects through planning, design, construction, and financial assistance. The urban program also features the acquisition of flood prone homes and businesses.