Floodplain Senior Engineer

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

11d • $109,134 - $180,071 • Hybrid

About The Position

The City and County of Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) is seeking a Floodplain Senior Engineer for its Right-of-Way Services (ROWS) Engineering and Plan Review (EPR) Floodplain team. The position supports the City’s floodplain management program and helps ensure that public and private construction within Denver’s regulatory floodplain is safe, sustainable, and compliant with City, State, and Federal requirements.

The engineer leads regulatory reviews and provides technical evaluation, documentation, and support for private site development, City infrastructure, utility work, and external-agency projects in the regulatory floodplain. The role supports permitting and inspection activities and reviews engineering plans, specifications, reports, and flood models. It also involves participation in hydrologic and hydraulic studies and master planning, GIS analysis and spatial data maintenance, coordination with inspectors and project stakeholders, and responses to public inquiries. The engineer develops policies, procedures, guidelines, and technical standards and provides additional engineering regulatory review and support as assigned.

The position is based on a hybrid workplace model, with three days in the office at the Denver Wastewater Management Building and off-site work performed within Colorado. The role requires collaboration with the public, developers, consultants, contractors, partner agencies, and City staff, along with strong attention to detail, customer service, and sound engineering judgment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering; the ideal candidate has a bachelor’s or higher degree in civil or water-resources-related engineering.
• Three years of professional engineering work experience after obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Valid driver’s license at the time of application.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) by the Colorado State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers at the time of application. Registration in another state is accepted in lieu of this requirement if Colorado PE registration is obtained by completion of probation.
• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.
• No substitution of experience for education is permitted; additional appropriate education may be substituted for experience requirements.
• The application must include a resume and a detailed cover letter describing interest in the position and professional preparation for the role.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) credential.
• At least five years of floodplain and/or stormwater-related engineering experience.
• At least three years of experience in hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) modeling for a variety of flood projects or studies, including preparation and/or review of associated reports.
• Experience designing, reviewing, and/or inspecting vertical development, including residential, commercial, or industrial projects and associated architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing disciplines.
• Experience designing, reviewing, and/or inspecting municipal infrastructure, including drainageways, dams, levees, wet and dry utilities, water-quality systems, and transportation or roadway facilities.
• Working knowledge of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Community Rating System (CRS).
• Experience with floodplain regulations, Elevation/Floodproofing Certificates, and floodplain compliance inspections.
• Experience in technical writing and preparing design drawings, technical reports, and specifications.
• Ability to independently manage workload, track project progress, resolve conflicts, and collaborate effectively to communicate project status.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS, HEC-HMS, CUHP/SWMM, 1D HEC-RAS, databases, and common business technology solutions.
• Working knowledge of 2D modeling programs such as 2D HEC-RAS, InfoWorks ICM, SRH-2D, Tuflow, or Flo-2D; proficiency is not required.
• Reliable, adaptable team player with strong communication and problem-solving skills, organization, initiative, accountability, and sound decision-making in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Support floodplain management program administration, including permitting, audits, mapping activities, documentation, and process improvements.
• Review engineering plans, specifications, reports, and flood models for compliance with applicable regulations and standards for City capital, outside-agency, and private development projects in the regulatory floodplain.
• Participate as a stakeholder in, and provide technical review of, hydrologic and hydraulic studies and master planning efforts.
• Coordinate with the floodplain inspector and occasionally perform field inspections to verify compliance with approved plans and regulations; document findings through photos, measurements, and reports.
• Provide GIS analysis and maintain spatial data to support drainage and floodplain decisions.
• Collaborate with applicants, consultants, contractors, City staff, and the public to resolve technical and regulatory issues.
• Respond to public inquiries about flood risk, regulations, mitigation options, and flood insurance.
• Develop policies, procedures, guidelines, and technical standards.
• Advocate for safety, sustainability, and resiliency in public infrastructure and private development.
• Contribute creativity, flexibility, and sound engineering judgment to the team.
• Provide additional engineering regulatory review and support and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Guaranteed lifelong monthly pension once vested after five years of service.
• 457B Retirement Plan.
• 140 hours of PTO earned within the first year.
• 12 paid holidays, one personal holiday, one Wellness Day, and one volunteer day per year.
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective within one month of the start date.

What This Job Offers

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