Dam Operator Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

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Imagine shaping the safety of Virginia’s communities—one dam at a time. As a Regional Dam Safety Engineer serving northern Virginia, you will play a pivotal role in protecting lives, property, and critical infrastructure across the Commonwealth.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is seeking to hire an experienced candidate to fill the role as a Dam Safety Regional Engineer. This position serves as the principal staff contact for dam owners, consulting engineers, and local, state, and federal partners within an assigned geographic region. The Dam Safety Regional Engineer ensures that impounding structures comply with the Dam Safety Act (§ 10.1-604 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) and the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board’s Impounding Structure Regulations (4VAC50-20). The role provides regulatory reviews, technical assistance, and engineering guidance to support safe and compliant dam operations throughout northern Virginia.

In the role, the selected candidate will:

• Fulfill the agency’s mission to protect lives and property.
• Participate in public engagement with state, local, federal, and community partners and is a critical team player in the delivery of relevant training, technical assistance, outreach, and education awareness messaging across the Commonwealth.
• Conduct and review safety inspections, issue operation and maintenance certificates and permits, monitor construction and alteration activities, and ensure technical documents meet regulatory standards in accordance with Code of Virginia.

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

This position will remain open for a minimum of five calendar days, beginning on July 28, 2026. The position may be closed at any time after the five-day posting period once a suitable pool of applicants has been identified.

• Must possess and maintain a Professional Engineer’s License in Virginia. New hires have six months to obtain a Virginia PE if licensed in other States.
• Extensive experience and implementation of engineering principles in any of the following disciplines: hydrology, hydraulics, soils, foundations, dam design, or dam construction and operation.
• Ability to work in outdoor environments exposed to all weather conditions with minimum supervision.
• Must complete all applicable In-Service and other assigned training.
• Must maintain all applicable licenses and/or certifications required for the position including PDH requirements for licensure.

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the Dam Safety Act and Virginia Impounding Structure Regulations.
• Extensive working experience, which demonstrates proficiency in GIS, word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation systems/software.
• Progressive dam safety engineering experience, which demonstrates the ability to make sound engineering decisions, and provide factual and sound engineering advice.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead, guide, develop, and manage professional level staff.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement and deploy large-scale training and education efforts, communicate complex legal and/or technical subjects and conduct research for continued program development.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, effectively articulating when providing customer service/technical assistance, delivering training, reviewing and completing technical documents and reports, and maintaining regulatory documents.
• Ability to effectively engage diverse groups and stakeholders, including access for persons with disabilities and underrepresented communities.

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.

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: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

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.