Civil Engineer (Hydraulics)

Bureau of Reclamation • Lakewood, CO

4d

About The Position

The Bureau of Reclamation is hiring a Civil Engineer (Hydraulics) to provide expert technical analyses, reviews, mentoring, and advice in hydraulics and fluid mechanics. The work covers the performance of spillways, outlet works, gates and valves, hydraulic equipment, penstocks, turbines, canals, flow measurement devices, and fish passage and protection features.

The position addresses complex hydraulic engineering problems, including cavitation, pipeline transients, air entrainment, energy dissipation, canal operation and control, and environmental hydraulics. The engineer plans, directs, and conducts laboratory studies using working-scale models, numerical modeling, and field investigations. As a research team leader, the engineer develops and promotes new technologies, methods, and standards of practice, and proposes, plans, and directs hydraulic research.

The role also includes preparing and presenting reports, research proposals, and publications; peer-reviewing technical studies and findings; consulting and coordinating with Reclamation staff, stakeholders, and external entities; and presenting technical results. The engineer directs, trains, and mentors staff, leads technical teams, and develops and manages plans for large hydraulic studies, including scope, schedules, budgets, and coordination across groups or offices. The position’s duties are suitable for telework, which may be allowed with supervisor approval.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must hold a current Professional Engineer (PE) license issued by a State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
• Must meet the engineering basic educational requirement through an acceptable engineering degree, specified combination of education and experience, professional registration or licensure, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering or other qualifying written examination, specified academic coursework, or qualifying related curriculum and experience.
• Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent in responsibility and scope to the GS-13 grade level, including complex hydraulic engineering assessments involving physical hydraulic modeling, numerical modeling, hydraulic field investigations, and/or hydraulic analyses; service as a hydraulic engineering technical advisor or consultant; written technical documents and oral presentations; and project management such as leading a team, project, or program, maintaining schedules and budgets, and writing proposals and funding requests.
• Must meet applicable Time-in-Grade requirements if a current Federal employee.
• Must satisfy background investigation and favorable adjudication requirements, Direct Deposit participation, and E-Verify employment verification.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• A one-year probationary period may be required; continued employment beyond the period requires written certification by the agency.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical analyses, reviews, mentoring, and advice as a hydraulics and fluid mechanics specialist.
• Assess the performance of spillways, outlet works, gates and valves, hydraulic equipment, penstocks, turbines, canals, flow measurement devices, and fish passage and protection features.
• Plan, direct, and conduct laboratory studies using working-scale models, numerical models, and field investigations to address complex hydraulic engineering problems.
• Lead research teams and develop or promote new technologies, methods, and standards of practice in hydraulic engineering and fluid mechanics.
• Propose, plan, and direct hydraulic research, including laboratory, numerical, and field studies.
• Prepare and present written reports, research proposals, and publications, and conduct peer reviews of technical studies, issues, and findings.
• Consult and coordinate with Reclamation staff, stakeholders, and external entities to resolve technical questions related to hydraulic design and performance.
• Present highly technical results and analyses and serve on technical and interagency committees.
• Direct, train, and mentor less experienced staff on laboratory and field engineering activities, including model development and testing, methods, data collection, and analyses.
• Lead technical teams and develop, monitor, and manage project plans for large hydraulic studies, including scope, schedules, budgets, and coordination with other groups or offices.

Benefits

• Potential recruitment or relocation incentive, subject to eligibility and case-by-case approval; neither is guaranteed.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior