Environmental Protection Supervising Civil Engineer (35 Hour)

At the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, we are dedicated to conserving, improving and protecting our natural resources and the environment- and increasing the availability of cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy. Within the Bureau of Water Protection & Land Reuse (WPLR), our mission is to work together for the restoration, protection and conservation of Connecticut’s water and land resources for current and future generations.

With this goal in mind, WPLR is currently looking for a Supervising Civil Engineer, for the Dam Safety program, at our downtown Hartford Office, located at 79 Elm Street, across from historic Bushnell Park. 

This is a fulltime, 35 hours/week, Monday-Friday, from 8:00-am to 5:00 pm (flexible), with some weekend and evening work required in the event of flood events. 

The Dam Safety Program Dam Safety Program has jurisdiction over all non-federally owned or licensed dams in the State which would by failing or otherwise endanger life or property.  The Program’s ultimate responsibility is to ensure all jurisdictional dams in the State are operated and maintained in a safe condition.  The program maintains an inventory of nearly 4800 dams in Connecticut. In the Dam Safety Unit, the Supervising Civil Engineer is responsible for directing, supervising and administering the day to day operations of the State of Connecticut’s Dam Safety Program.

Specific duties of this position include:  assisting in formulating program goals and objectives to enhance public safety in Connecticut; developing and implementing plans for achieving goals and objectives utilizing innovative approaches as appropriate; providing and building mentorship in the Dam Safety Unit section to develop and expand staff capacity at all levels with a focus on succession planning; coordination with other DEEP units, State and Federal agencies including NRCS and USACOE and outside officials; representing Connecticut at regional and national levels regarding dam safety; communication with the public; contributing to training and technical outreach activities; flood response and recovery activities with respect to dams; and the day-to-day, direct supervision of dam safety staff who are involved in: performing inspections, engineering investigations and evaluation of studies of dam design and construction, including spillways, foundation conditions, seepage and structural stability; performing or evaluating periodic inspections of existing dams for structural soundness; making recommendations for corrective action; recommending enforcement actions; reviewing Emergency action Plans;  reviewing applications for construction or repair of dams and recommended actions;  evaluation, preparation and/or negotiation of agreements and contracts for engineering services for design of dam repairs and flood control projects, hydraulic and hydrologic studies, flood controls studies or technical review of such studies; assisting in coordinating acquisition of land for federal flood control projects and making appropriate recommendations;  reviewing work of contract surveyors and engineers.

Applicants must upload a cover letter and resume with their applications. (Note: In order to upload documents you must ensure that your internet browser's 'pop-up' blocker is off.  Failure to do so may prevent you from being able to upload documentation and submit your application.)  Questions about these required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: John.Hedges@ct.gov, (860)424-3254.

Applicants invited to interview will be requested to supply the following: Current State Employees- Last two (2) performance appraisals and attendance records for the last two (2) years; Non-State Employees- three (3) professional references, with contact information.

 

 

This is a competitive position. Open to the public.

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection this class is accountable for supervising an engineering unit engaged in design, construction, testing, and data collection/analysis, planning, research, and permit process activities, performing engineering tasks in waterflow and flood control and in the design and construction of of parking lots, dams, drainage systems, seawalls, foundations, boat launching facilities, buildings, piers and flood control structures with consideration of environmental consequences.

Schedules, assigns, oversees, and reviews the work of staff; provides staff training and assistance; conducts performance evaluations; determines priorities and plans unit work; establishes and maintains unit procedures; develops or makes recommendations on the development of policies and standards; acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies, and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures; prepares reports and correspondence.

In the Water Planning and Management Division: Supervises engineers involved in performing engineering investigations and studies of floods and flood flows, river channels, and dam design and construction, including spillways, foundation conditions, seepage, and structural stability; supervises periodic inspections of existing dams for structural soundness; makes recommendations for corrective action; reviews applications for construction or repair of dams and recommends action; supervises preparation of and negotiates agreements and contracts for engineering services with flood and erosion control boards and others providing for construction of flood control projects, river or channel line surveys, hydraulic and hydrologic studies, flood control studies, or technical review of such studies; assists in coordinating acquisition of land for federal flood control projects and makes appropriate recommendations; supervises planning and execution of channel line programs; recommends channel line location; supervises review of work of contract surveyors and engineers; supervises review of applications for encroachments on channel lines; assesses hydraulic aspects of encroachments and recommends appropriate action; performs related duties as required.

 

Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of relevant State and federal laws, statutes, and regulations; considerable knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of design, construction and maintenance of dams, or marine and building construction; considerable knowledge of principles of hydraulics, hydrology, and civil or soils engineering; knowledge of practices and methods for controlling floods and encroachments on river channels; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to plan and organize detailed investigations of engineering problems and recommend solutions with consideration for related environmental factors; ability to utilize computer software; supervisory ability.

Eight (8) years of experience as an engineer in water resource management, civil or soils engineering or marine and building construction.

1. College training in civil or environmental engineering may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in civil or environmental engineering may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

·       Understanding of principles and practices of dam safety including hydraulics and hydrology, structural analysis, soils and foundations;

·       Proven leadership and supervisory skills;

·       Considerable interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively and honestly interact at all levels of the agency, and with the general public;

·       Experience with DEEP policies, procedures and practices of the DEEP including environmental planning, permitting, enforcement and project management;

·       Experience developing and implementing innovative approaches and programs to address problems,  improve efficiency and quality of service, and problem solve when faced with shifting priorities;

·       Considerable knowledge of state and/or federal laws/regulations related to dam safety and water management;

·       Experience reviewing planning and engineering reports and associated project documents;

·       Proven ability to lead and mentor staff in developing and expanding their capacity at all levels;

·       Demonstrated organizational skills;

·       Considerable oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with a highly technical and trained engineering and science staff, and to communicate technical information in a clear and concise manner; and

·       Experience creating and maintaining excellent intra-agency relationships which cross unit boundaries.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
3. Incumbents in this classification involved with the certification of plans and documents will be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits and/or certifications including Professional Engineer (PE) licensure from the Department of Consumer Protection State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors consistent with Section 20-302 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury or physical harm from highway or construction environments and a moderate degree of discomfort from exposure to year-round weather conditions.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.