Entry Level Dnr Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Introduction
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hiring a Water Management Engineer (Water Regulation & Zoning Engineer) at the Entry or Senior level dependent upon candidate qualifications, in the Division of External Services to implement the Dam Safety and Floodplain Management program.
This position may be headquartered in La Crosse, Dodgeville, Fitchburg, or Wisconsin Rapids depending on business needs and the location of the selected candidate.
Remote work may be available for a portion of the work week, after the initial onboarding period.
This recruitment may also be used to fill future similar positions .
Find a meaningful and rewarding career with the DNR! The DNR excels at protecting and managing natural resources while supporting the economy and the well-being of our residents. We strive to hire, develop, and retain a talented workforce representative of the people of Wisconsin we serve. We offer training and career growth opportunities, a comprehensive benefits package, and are searching for people with diverse backgrounds to join our dynamic and team-oriented environment.
Position Summary
This position provides technical engineering analysis and support to the Water Management program. In addition, this position provides engineering expertise to communities, regional staff, other governmental agencies, consultants and the public and provides engineering analysis of dams and other physical alterations of surface waters within the assigned area. The floodplain functions of this position include: developing, reviewing, adopting and administering floodplain projects and providing training for local zoning programs.
For more information, please see the Water Management Engineer - Entry or Senior position description.
Salary Information
Starting pay for Entry level is $32.77 to $37.31 per hour (or $66,809.60 to $76,065.60 annually), in addition to excellent benefits and in pay schedule/range 14-14.
Starting pay for Senior level is $38.00 to $43.00 per hour (or $79,040 to $89,440 annually), in addition to excellent benefits and in pay schedule/range 14-13.
In addition, there is $1.00 per hour (or $2,080 annually) added to your base salary for holding a Professional Engineer (PE) license, whether it is held presently or acquired in the future. A PE is not a requirement for this position.
The State of Wisconsin offers an exemplary benefits package with:

• Generous paid time off , including at least 3 1/2 weeks of vacation/personal time, nine paid holidays, and ample sick time that rolls over each year with no cap.
• Excellent and affordable health insurance options
• Other great insurance options (dental, vision, life, and more).
• A top-notch retirement program and optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.
• A Well Wisconsin program , offering wellness tools and rewards to employees and spouses.
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their household members tools, resources, and professional consultation services.
• For more info, see our Total Rewards Calculator.

This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit. Pay on appointment will follow the provisions of the State of Wisconsin Compensation Plan.
Job Details
Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.
Eligibility to work in United States: The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9 upon hire.
Probation: A 12-month probationary period may be required.
Reference Check: References are not required at the time of application but will be required upon successful completion of the interview process.
Remote Work: Based on an assessment of the goals and work activities, this position may be eligible for remote work. Remote work approval is based on individual circumstances and is subject to supervisor approval and DNR remote work policies. Approval is subject to change without notice based on business needs. Employees with approved remote work arrangements are generally expected to work within the state of Wisconsin.
Physical/ Environmental Factors: This position is required to traverse on uneven ground, steep grades and heavy brush. This position also may need to frequently spend more than one hour outdoors in temperatures below 32 degrees, above 80 degrees and in harsh weather conditions. For other physical and environmental requirements of the job, please see the position description linked in the Position Summary.
Work Hours: Weekend and evening work will be required at times in response to imminent dam failures or when significant flooding threatens life, health and/or loss of property.
Travel: Occasional travel throughout the state will be required to assist with heavy workload in other parts of the state or for meetings with other DNR program staff.
Qualifications
Please describe the below qualifications in your letter of qualifications and resume to be considered for this position:
To be minimally qualified applicants must meet (and provide appropriate documentation) of at least one of the below requirements:

• Have graduated or will graduate by time of appointment from a recognized college or university with a degree in a related engineering field such as electrical, mechanical, civil or environmental engineering; OR
• Registration as a Professional Engineer as determined by the Department of Safety and Professional Services per s. 443.04, Wis. Stats.; OR
• A specific record, issued by the professional engineering section of the Department of Safety and Professional Services, showing 4 years or more of experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the professional engineering section and satisfactory completion of the fundamentals of engineering exam; OR
• Have equivalent professional training and practical experience so as to be deemed a professional engineer as defined in Department of Safety and Professional Services per s. 443.01, Wis. Stats. and also deemed to be qualified to engage in professional engineering practice as determined by the Department of Safety and Professional Services per s. 443.03, or 443.04, or 443.05, Wis. Stats.

In addition to one of the above, best qualified candidates will have a combination of the following experience:

• Surface waters, wetlands, water quality, hydrology, stormwater, fish and wildlife management, and/or forestry
• Interpreting engineering plans, maps (topographic, land survey aerial photo, GIS), using databases, and writing technical reports and letters
• Developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders (e.g., internal partners and customer programs, regulated parties, counterpart state & federal agencies, tribal governments, legislators, general public, municipal partners, etc.)
• Working with waterway, wetland, shoreland, or floodplain regulations or zoning ordinance development
• Reviewing, managing, or authorizing projects for compliance with laws and conducting project site investigations
• Working with environmental or other regulatory programs

How To Apply
If viewing this posting on an external site (such as indeed.com, etc.), please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this Job ID: 21023 to complete your application for this posting. Current state employees, including those with Career Executive status, must apply through STAR ESS. Former permanent classified state employees must apply through Wisc.Jobs.
The steps to apply online are quick and easy! Your resume and letter of qualifications are used during our evaluation process to determine your eligibility for further consideration. Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. It is critically important that your application materials clearly describe your experience related to the stated job qualifications. Please review our helpful tips for developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included. References are not required at the time of application but will be required upon successful completion of the interview process. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any updates to the application or any materials submitted.
For technical troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please view the Frequently Asked Questions . For questions regarding the application process, please contact Patricia Buchholz in Human Resources at patricia.buchholz@wisconsin.gov or (608) 266-2133.
The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
Deadline to Apply
All applications must be received by 11:59 pm central on Wednesday, June 10 th , 2026.