Chief Dam Safety Engineer (Hydropower)
This position is responsible for a broad range of engineering activities related to dam safety, regulatory compliance, hydroelectric facility reliability, and operational performance. Responsibilities include engineering design, inspections, project planning, licensing and permitting support, regulatory compliance, and management of capital improvement and maintenance projects associated with hydroelectric generating assets.
The successful candidate will serve as the lead dam safety professional for a portfolio of hydroelectric facilities while also providing project and construction management oversight for civil infrastructure improvements. This role works closely with operations, maintenance, environmental, and regulatory stakeholders to ensure the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of hydroelectric facilities.
Key Responsibilities
Dam Safety & Regulatory Compliance
- Serve as the lead engineer responsible for the organization's Dam Safety Program.
- Identify, evaluate, and resolve issues related to the safety and integrity of dams, reservoirs, and associated civil infrastructure.
- Manage dam instrumentation, monitoring, inspection, and surveillance programs.
- Monitor facility operations and maintenance activities to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
- Maintain working knowledge of licensing, permitting, and dam safety requirements.
- Act as the primary technical liaison with regulatory agencies, consultants, and external stakeholders.
Engineering & Asset Management
- Provide civil engineering support for hydroelectric generation facilities and related infrastructure.
- Perform inspections and evaluations of dams, tunnels, spillways, intake structures, powerhouses, roads, slopes, and other civil works.
- Prepare engineering studies, technical reports, feasibility assessments, cost estimates, drawings, specifications, and supporting documentation.
- Analyze and interpret instrumentation, monitoring, and field data to support operational and dam safety decisions.
- Develop and implement projects that improve facility reliability, operational efficiency, and water resource utilization.
Project & Construction Management
- Lead the planning, design, permitting, budgeting, scheduling, and execution of capital and maintenance projects.
- Manage construction activities for rehabilitation, upgrade, and new infrastructure projects.
- Oversee engineering, geotechnical, surveying, environmental, and speciality consultants.
- Manage project budgets, schedules, contractor performance, and project documentation.
- Coordinate field activities to ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable standards.
Operations Support
- Support operations and maintenance teams with technical troubleshooting and long-term asset management strategies.
- Assist with training, scheduling, and development of plant personnel as necessary.
- Manage infrastructure programs including road maintenance, surveying activities, flow monitoring, and data collection efforts.
- Maintain accurate engineering, construction, and compliance records.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred.
- Extensive experience supporting hydroelectric generation facilities, dams, or water resource infrastructure.
- Significant experience in planning, design, permitting, operations support, project management, and construction management of large civil infrastructure projects.
- Prior responsibility for dam safety programs and regulatory compliance activities is highly desirable.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary consultants, contractors, and technical staff.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and stakeholders simultaneously.
Preferred Technical Experience
Experience with:
- Hydroelectric facility engineering and operations
- Dam safety evaluations and inspections
- Civil infrastructure design and rehabilitation
- Water resource and hydrologic analysis
- Project management and construction oversight
- Regulatory compliance and licensing
- Cost estimating and capital planning
- GIS and CAD software applications
- Data analysis and engineering reporting
Software familiarity may include:
- AutoCAD
- ArcGIS
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling tools
- Water accounting and monitoring systems
Leadership & Professional Skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to prepare and present technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Proven leadership and supervisory experience.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to make sound engineering decisions independently.
- Effective organizational, project management, and stakeholder management skills.
- Commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence.
Additional Requirements
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites as required.
- Ability to work in industrial and outdoor environments, including occasional exposure to varying weather conditions, terrain, and operational facilities.
- Ability to perform occasional field inspections requiring walking, climbing, lifting, and navigating uneven terrain.
FAQs
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