District Engineer, Civil Engineer 2 (CE2)/Civil Engineer 1 (CE1) In-Training

Full Job Description

Please note: a conditional offer of employment may be made pending completion of the degree within 4 months of the opening date of this posting.

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 2/25/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
Are you someone with strong organizational skills, can manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, appreciates the importance of good communication and follow-up, and enjoys working outdoors? Do you want to partner with a great group of hard-working and dedicated professionals who plan, design, layout, and comply timber harvests in Southwest Washington? If you enjoy engineering challenges and watching your work come to fruition, this is the career for you.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity. The Lewis District and Pacific Cascade Region are actively seeking a Forest or Civil Engineer. The position will have a duty station in Chehalis, WA. The varied terrain and microclimates in Lewis District provide for many engineering challenges in forest road layout and maintenance.

In this position, you will interact with professionals having diverse talents and skill sets. You will have the opportunity to work frequently with other engineers, foresters, wildlife biologists, GIS professionals, geologists, and heavy equipment operators, to name a few. Collaboration is one of our agency’s core goals and it is our belief you will benefit by learning while working side by side with others in these fields and other fields as they learn from you.

Qualifying experience for the Professional Engineer License may be signed off on for engineers with the Engineering in Training certification. Your duties will include developing road plans for the Lewis District Timber Sale Program, which will include evaluating existing roads and structures, locating new road locations, designing new stream crossing structures, and performing harvest system analysis.

Requirements

Responsibilities:

• Detail-oriented project work and consultation
• Manage forest road projects from initial scoping to closing out construction
• Collaborating between different partners in the Region in the process of putting together road and stream crossing projects
• Creating and maintaining respectful working relationships
• Providing recommendations for actions on bridges, culverts, and other maintenance needs on forest roads
• Providing recommendations on corrections to fish barriers
• Thinking critically and strategically while also meeting project deadlines
• Being part of a dynamic and energetic team

Qualifications

This may be filled as an in-training position. This is designated as a 12-24 month training plan (may be extended to 36 months). If you complete all elements of the training steps in a shorter amount of time, we may waive the remainder of the time required. Candidates will be considered as Civil Engineer 1 (In-Training) or Civil Engineer 2, depending on qualifications.

Required Qualifications:
Civil Engineer 1 (In-Training)
(Salary range: $4,517 - $6,077 per month):

• A bachelor’s degree in forest or civil engineering, forest operations or related degree;
  OR an equivalent combination of experience and/or education.
• Experience in the use of engineering equipment, tools, and software-including in an academic environment.
• Knowledge of forest engineering principles, techniques, and applications such as: logging systems, harvest system design, and road transportation design.
• Knowledge of ground and cable logging systems, and forest road construction equipment and use.
• Knowledge of forest practice standards, laws, and rights-of-way.
• Knowledge of components required to field designing timber sale road plans.
• Positive interpersonal and communication skills.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations and public records retention and requests are followed.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

Civil Engineer 2
(Salary range: $5,241-$7,043 per month):

• Bachelor’s degree in forest or civil engineering, forest operations or related degree AND one year of experience in forest or civil engineering or related field;
  OR an equivalent combination of experience and/or education.
• Experience in hydrology and hydraulic structure design procedures.
• Experience in forest practice standards, laws, and rights-of-way.
• Experience using programs such as; MS Word, MS Excel, ArcGIS products (including map making). Also have working knowledge of Skyline XL, AutoCAD or Civil 3D, RoadEng and the aptitude for learning new software programs.
• Experience in navigation using maps, Avenza, aerial photos, compass, clinometer, radio, laser rangefinder, and GPS.
• Experience field designing timber sale road plans, writing timber sale road design contracts and administration of active road construction.
• Knowledge in the theory, policy, principles and practices of the forest engineering profession as applied to Northwestern United States (i.e., fundamentals of:
  markets and economics, sales layout, logging methods, road engineering, water quality, watershed management, fish passage design.
• Team Leadership- Actively takes steps to build a cohesive and results oriented team.
• Customer Focus- Builds and maintains internal and external customer satisfaction with Product Sales Program offered by the organization.
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills.
• Facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Accustomed to working independently on assigned tasks.

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

Position's assigned duty station is the district work center. Approximately 60-70% of work is performed alone in isolated unimproved natural areas.

Incumbent must be able to traverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions. The remainder of the time is spent in a work center or meeting setting, usually in a climate-controlled building.

Position requires large majority of time in the field (70%) and traveling between sites in the Region.

There may be some travel associated with occasional training or project assignments out of the position’s assigned region.

Voluntary firefighting duties will also involve some travel around the state and outside of the state on occasions.

A current, valid driver’s license and two years of driving experience.

Additionally, DNR requires state drivers to possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted (for example, Occupational/Restricted Driver Licenses or requiring ignition interlock devices).

This position requires driving as an essential function.

Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.

Desired Qualifications:

• Positive interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience with forest engineering objectives and timber harvest planning.
• Received a passing certificate of Fundamentals of Engineering.
• Knowledge of Forest Practice standards, SEPA process, laws, and rights-of-way.
• Knowledge of Policy for Sustainable Forests, Habitat Conservation Plan, and related agency policies.
• Experience in volumetric road design procedures.
• Experience in basic survey procedures and use of equipment to collect and process field data for design, construction, and costing of engineering projects including roads.
• Proficiency in using Total Station survey equipment for site mapping.
• Accustomed to preparing detailed and accurate descriptions, contracts, cost sheets, and other applicable paperwork for engineering projects.
• Experience with timber sale process, Public Works contracts, and contract administration.
• A WSDA Pesticide Applicators License.

Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position - If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. A note to potential candidates: Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. We value diversity and inclusion in our organization, and we are looking for the best person for the job. Don’t hesitate to apply!

Additional Information

Application Requirements: Failure to provide the listed documents may result in disqualification. If you have questions or difficulty attaching these documents, please contact DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

• Apply online: at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
• Letter of interest: describing your specific qualifications to the position and position required, desired, and special requirements.
• Resume: that details your experience and qualifications.
• References: References are optional at the time your application is submitted. Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least 3 professional references with current telephone numbers, including your current or most recent supervisor.
• Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
• Complete all supplemental questions.
• Candidates who move forward in the recruitment process may be contacted via email at info@governmentjobs.com with interview information/scheduling instructions. Please monitor the email listed in your application materials and check your junk email folder to ensure you receive those communications.

Questions? Please contact Keith Wyatt at Keith.Wyatt@dnr.wa.gov/360-751-1403 or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 522-2500 or email DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our Vision – Our actions ensure a future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive.
Our Mission – Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Our Core Values:

• Safety and Well-Being —Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
• Public Service —We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
• Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving — We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
• Leadership and Teamwork —We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of which include:

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Work/life balance
• DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
• Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Professional development opportunities
• Educational and career development aid
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• Statewide vanpool program
• A comprehensive benefits package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

DNR does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22, or other verification of military service. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching it. We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.

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