Lead Dam Safety Engineer

Title: Lead Dam Safety Engineer

State Role Title: Architect/Engineering Mgr II

Hiring Range: $127,000 - $132,000

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: MAIN STREET CENTRE

Agency Website: dcr.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

This position provides regulatory reviews, safety inspections, certificate issuances, construction monitoring, and general assistance to dam owners and consulting engineers using sound engineering principles to ensure compliance with regulations for their region.

As the Lead Engineer, this position will also provide oversight and guidance to Regional Engineers when new regulatory challenges arise. They will advise compliance officers and the Chief Engineer on pre-enforcement matters and updated policy needs.

The Lead Engineer will work with in-house staff and consultants to develop guidance tools and documents for regulatory submittals.

The Lead Engineer will participate in public engagement with state, local, federal, and community partners, develop and deliver training, and support regional engineers with education awareness opportunities.

The position may also staff an emergency operations center in Virginia during emergencies and will participate in dam-related emergency drills and exercises.

The Virginia Department of Conservations and Recreations (DCR) is the state’s lead conservation agency, and it takes a diverse agency to conserve resources for a diverse commonwealth.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation offers paid leave; 13 paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions, and VaLORS for law enforcement positions); and is a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

DCR’s Mission is to conserve the natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources of the Commonwealth. We invite you to learn more about DCR’s efforts to CONSERVE.

Minimum Qualifications

• Progressive experience in the field of dam safety engineering.
• Degree in civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, agricultural engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Must possess and maintain a Professional Engineer’s License in Virginia. New hires have six months to obtain a Virginia PE License if currently licensed in another state.
• Experience effectively leading, guiding, developing, and managing professional level staff.

Additional Considerations

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the Dam Safety Act and Virginia Impounding Structure Regulations.
• Knowledge of best practices in the field of dam safety engineering and risk assessment.
• Experience developing, implementing, and deploying large-scale training and education efforts; communicating complex legal and/or technical subjects; and conducting research for continued program development.
• Experience communicating effectively both orally and in writing, and effectively articulating when providing customer service, delivering training, developing technical guidance documents, and maintaining regulatory documents.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

This position will remain open for a minimum of five business days, beginning on 01/16/2026. The position may be closed at any time after the five-day posting period once a suitable pool of applicants has been identified.

Submission of an online application is required for this position. DCR does not accept applications, resumes, cover letters, etc. for this vacancy in any other format. When applying for jobs, please ensure your online application and/or resume is complete with duties and skills associated with your work experience.

A valid Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.

Selected candidate(s) will need to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form. DCR participates in E-Verify.

Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people with National/Federal Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TT

DCR employees are encouraged to visit Virginia State Parks! Check out our employee discounts.

• Free parking or admission to all Virginia State Parks.
• DCR classified, retired, and wage staff (after six months of service) are entitled to overnight facility discounts such as:
  • Free camping outside of the Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day period in sites designed for up to six people.
  • Free camping Sunday night through Thursday night (excluding the night prior to a holiday) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
  • Fifty percent discount on cabins (up to 3 bedrooms) outside of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, for a maximum of 14 nights. All reservations require a two-night minimum. Bunkhouses, camping cabins, and yurts are included; one night yurt stays only receive a 25% discount.

Contact Information

Name: N/A

Phone: N/A

Email: hr@dcr.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.