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State Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

A Washington State Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Geologist-in-Training (GIT) certificate is desired. Click here for full Civil Engineer I . Civil Engineer II: The successful applicant for this ...

Program Assistant I

Pierre, SD · On-site

$21.41 - $26.75/hr

The Office of the State Engineer is seeking a dependable professional to provide essential administrative and financial support to Project Managers and help ensure state construction and facilities ...

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State Engineer information

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$39K

$101.8K

$137.5K

How much do state engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for state engineer in the United States is $101,752.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,000.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a state engineer do?

A State Engineer is a government official responsible for overseeing water resources management, including the allocation and regulation of water rights within a state. They ensure that water use complies with state laws and policies, conduct hydrological studies, and may supervise dam and reservoir operations. State Engineers also issue permits, resolve disputes over water use, and help develop long-term water planning strategies. Their work plays a crucial role in balancing the needs of agriculture, industry, municipalities, and environmental protection.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a state engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a State Engineer, you need a strong background in civil or environmental engineering, typically supported by a Professional Engineer (PE) license and several years of relevant experience. Familiarity with GIS software, water resource management systems, and regulatory compliance tools is commonly required. Leadership, analytical thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for coordinating complex projects and engaging with diverse stakeholders. These skills and qualities ensure the successful oversight of public infrastructure, environmental protection, and regulatory adherence at the state level.

How does a state engineer typically collaborate with government agencies and private stakeholders on large-scale infrastructure projects?

A State Engineer often serves as a key liaison between government agencies, private contractors, and the public on major infrastructure projects such as water resource management, transportation, and public works. Collaboration usually involves coordinating project planning, ensuring regulatory compliance, and facilitating communication among all parties to address technical, legal, and environmental concerns. State Engineers regularly attend interagency meetings, review project proposals, and provide expert guidance to ensure projects meet state standards and timelines. This collaborative environment helps ensure that infrastructure projects are completed efficiently, safely, and with stakeholder input.

What is the difference between State Engineer vs Civil Engineer?

AspectState EngineerCivil Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically requires a professional engineering license and state-specific certificationsRequires a bachelor's degree in civil engineering; licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) often preferred
Work EnvironmentWorks primarily in government agencies, overseeing public infrastructure projectsWorks in consulting firms, construction sites, or government agencies on various infrastructure projects
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies at state level, public infrastructure projectsPrivate firms, consulting companies, government agencies in construction and design

While both roles involve infrastructure and engineering expertise, a State Engineer typically works within government agencies managing public projects and requires specific state certifications. Civil Engineers have broader roles in designing and constructing infrastructure across various sectors, often with licensure as a Professional Engineer. The roles overlap in skills and credentials but differ mainly in scope and employment setting.

What cities are hiring for State Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most State Engineer job openings:

What states have the most State Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for State Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various State Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,752 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

MANAGER 2, PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER

Carson City, NV • On-site


State of Nevada (NV)
Health Care and Social Assistance • 501 - 1,000 employees

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

40th of 50 rated states

Good employer

Paid breaks

Respectful managers


$95K - $144K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

***THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE*** Job Summary The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (NDCNR), protects, manages, and enhances the State's resources to provide the highest quality of life for Nevada's citizens and visitors. The NDCNR with over 900 employees consists of the Director's Office and the following divisions and programs: Environmental Protection, Forestry, State Lands, State Parks, Water Resources, Outdoor Recreation, Natural Heritage, State Historic Preservation Office, Off-Highway Vehicles, Sagebrush Ecosystem, and the Conservation Districts Program.

The Department also provides support staff to the Nevada Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and has responsibility for numerous Boards, Commissions, and Councils. The Department has locations and/or provides program services in every community of the State. The Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR) is seeking to fill two Manager 2, Professional Engineer positions.

One position is responsible for overseeing the Adjudications and Well Drilling Sections of the Nevada Division of Water Resources. The responsibilities of this position as it relates to the Adjudications Section include, but are not limited to, overseeing the adjudication of pre-statutory water right claims, administering existing Decrees, and representing the State Engineer in adjudication related legal matters. Duties include reviewing and engaging in all phases of the adjudication process, including the calling for and filing of claims, the drafting and circulation of the preliminary order of determination, assisting with the administrative hearing on objections, drafting and circulation of the final order of determination, and working with the Office of the Attorney General through the judicial process and the hearing on exceptions leading to the final decree.

The incumbent is responsible for providing supervision and guidance to adjudication staff in performing field investigations, hydrographic surveys and supporting the drafting of preliminary and final orders of determination. The responsibilities of the position as it relates to the Well Drilling Section include overseeing the Well Driller's Advisory Board, well driller licensing program, administering water well drilling regulations including waivers and notices of intent to drill, reviewing and updating water well drilling regulations as appropriate, and assisting in administrative hearings on water well drilling violations. Duties of the position also include acting as a liaison for the State Engineer, assisting the Deputy Administrators with legislative issues, and the preparation and review of rulings, preparing complex water right permit terms in accordance with Nevada Water Law, overseeing groundwater inventories, certification of water rights, pumpage inventories, monitoring data, performing field investigations and supervising engineering staff and well supervisors.

The second position oversees the Division's Water Rights, Title, and Application Processing Sections. Responsibilities include managing 4 Supervisors and 27 Engineers, Water Resource Specialists, and Technicians, and an Administrative Assistant. The Manager directly evaluates the four supervisory staff and reviews the evaluations of all other staff within the section and processes timesheets and leave requests for all employees directly supervised.

The Water Rights Section Chief is the primary member of the "Ready for Action" review team, trains RFA coaches, and works with the State Engineer and Deputy Administrators to establish processing standards. This position offers guidance on rulings concerning protested applications, gives technical advice to basin engineers on challenging applications, and organizes hydrographic basin assignments among all basin engineers. Additionally, the position assists the State Engineer and Deputy Administrators with projects in the areas of disseminating policy to the public, assisting in policy development, and other tasking as necessary.

Managers in this series are Professional Engineers (P.E.) who plan, coordinate and oversee projects, programs and consultant contracts/agreements; perform professional engineering functions requiring analysis involving the application of advanced principles and abstract concepts in the development of unique solutions to solve difficult problems; develop policies, procedures and long and short range goals. Essential Qualifications Current licensure as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) and three years of progressively responsible professional engineering experience in a supervisory or responsible project charge capacity; OR licensure and an equivalent combination of education and experience; OR one year of experience as a Manager I, Professional Engineer in Nevada State service; OR three years of experience as a Supervisor, Professional Engineer in Nevada State service. Job Duties Interact and communicate with internal managers administrators as well as executives, officials and regulatory representatives to solve problems and negotiate solutions involving conflict or controversy requiring interpretation/application of policy or to negotiate solutions within policy guidelines

Direct and manage subordinate staff including subordinate supervisors; establish work performance standards and evaluate performance; recommend and initiate disciplinary action when necessary by reviewing circumstances, seriousness of offense, impacts, and probable cause to maintain fair and impartial control and to uphold the department's standards of performance; organize, coordinate and delegate projects and assignments. Represent the department at various hearings, meetings, conferences, public news media interviews, and at city and county council meetings to provide information and answer questions pertaining to federal and State rules and regulations and department policies, procedures and projects. Assist in budget development by recommending division, branch or section operational needs and other pertinent cost factors; attend finance, staff and status meetings to represent the division, branch or section.

Provide technical engineering assistance to staff and various committees and groups; testify in court proceedings and claims against the department to provide oral and written testimony, as required, and serve as an expert witness in lawsuits and other court matters. Perform related duties as assigned. Under general direction, incumbents function as either the head of a major work unit in a division within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources such as Environmental Protection or Water Resources.

Manager II, Professional Engineer positions are distinguished from the Manager I, Professional Engineer positions by the greater degree of complexity in the nature of work performed and the knowledge, skills and abilities required. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities This class specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Detailed knowledge of: mathematics, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and statistics to perform calculations and professional engineering work; engineering principles and practices; principles of organization and management in an engineering environment; civil engineering terminology. Working knowledge of: management fundamentals in order to determine and revise priorities, assign tasks, influence personnel, and improve production. Ability to: communicate orally using appropriate vocabulary and grammar to obtain and provide information and to explain policies and procedures to persons of varying levels of engineering expertise; read, interpret, and determine the effect of technical documents, research reports, engineering journals, and federal and State regulations; review and critique the work of other personnel; make comprehensive recommendations on engineering problems; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with federal, state and local governments; adapt to anticipated and unanticipated changes due to internal or external factors in order to reach organizational goals and objectives; reason logically; work a varied schedule; travel on short notice for business purposes; respond to rapid changes in conversation involving difficult questions; think through the consequences of a decision before making it; negotiate, exchange ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policies and programs and/or arrive jointly at a decision, conclusion or solution; solve conflicts by identifying the problem, determining its effects, analyzing alternate solutions, choosing the optimum solution, and taking the necessary action to implement the solution; foster a stimulating, accepting learning environment; and all knowledge, skills and abilities required at the lower level.

Recruiter Contact Information: Susan Ashley - q.ashley@admin.nv.gov The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages. Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.


State of Nevada logo

About State of Nevada

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The State of Nevada isn't a company in the traditional sense, but rather a governing body that manages and directs the operations of the state of Nevada. Its headquarters are located in Carson City, NV, United States. The organisation is engaged in various sectors like education, transportation, business and industry, health and human services, conservation and natural resources, and many more. It is responsible for implementing and maintaining the law and order of the state, in addition to providing essential services to its residents.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Carson City, NV, US

Year founded

1864


What State Of Nevada employees say

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