Straits Engineer, Civil Engineer 2 / Civil Engineer 1 (In-Training)

Full Job Description

Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Salary: $ 4,517.00 - $7,043.00 Monthly

Please note: a conditional offer of employment may be made pending completion of the degree within 2 months of the closing date of the position to allow for State institutions having quarter systems.

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 02/08/2026. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
Olympic Region is actively seeking a Forest or Civil Engineer for the Straits District. The duty station is in Port Angeles, Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula. The varied terrain and high rainfall in the Olympic Region provide for many engineering challenges in forest road layout and maintenance. The successful candidate will be in charge of developing road plans for the Straits District Timber Sale Program, which will include evaluating existing roads and structures, locating new road locations, designing new stream crossing structures, and doing harvest system analysis. Qualifying experience for the Professional Engineer License may be signed off on for engineers with the Engineering in Training certification. The position is based in Port Angeles, and covers the Straits District, from the West side of Lake Crescent, along the Straits, and down the coast to the Mason County line. The community of Port Angeles has many of the amenities that you expect with a larger town; everything from a movie theater to dining and shopping options. Fishing, hunting, hiking, kayaking, the mountains, and the coast are in the backyard. In this position, you will interact with professionals having diverse talents and skillsets. 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 that you will benefit by learning while working side by side with others in these fields and other fields as they learn from you.

Requirements

Responsibilities:

• Detail-oriented project work and consultation
• Manage your own 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 (May be extended to 36 months) training plan. 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 - $6,259 per month):

• Bachelor’s degree in Forest or Civil Engineering or related field:
  OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Strong written and verbal 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 AND 1 year of professional experience OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Knowledge of theory, policy, principles, and practices of the forest engineering profession as applied to the Northwestern United States (i.e., fundamentals of: markets and economics, sales layout, logging methods, road engineering, water quality, watershed management, fish passage design.
• Experience with timber sales road plan preparation and administration.
• Experience with current forest practice rules, plans, forestry laws & practices, and associated agency policies and WAC’s.
• Facilitation and negotiation skills.

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

The position's assigned duty station is the Olympic Region office in Port Angeles. This is a field engineer position with approximately 60% of the work performed outdoors, alone, and in remote areas.

The ability to perform arduous work while traversing steep, rugged terrain under a full spectrum of environmental conditions is necessary.

Approximately 30% of the work involved is performed in a typical office setting. The remaining 10% is operating a motor vehicle.

Travel outside the region for training sessions and wildland fire incidents is necessary, but not exceedingly different than the normal field and office settings described.

The employee is eligible for per diem and lodging costs when in travel status, except when provided. A commute will be required to reach most job sites and trainings.

The use of an assigned vehicle will be the primary mode of travel. However, the use of specialty vehicles and pool vehicles will be used when specific tasks or efficiency dictate.

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:

• Experience with forest engineering objectives and timber harvest planning.
• Ability to use GIS software to create maps and manage data.
• Knowledge of road design and drafting software such as RoadEng and AutoCAD.
• Ability to navigate in the field using maps, a compass, and orthophotos.
• Ability to write professional correspondence and technical documents.
• Familiarity with current software used in word processing, spreadsheets, and forestry applications.

Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. At DNR, we value diversity and inclusion in our organization, and we are looking for the best person for the job. We are invested in acquiring the best and most innovative candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. It is important you consider and clearly communicate within your application materials how your education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience transfer to this position and the qualifications. If you have any questions about the qualifications, please contact us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. 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 for the position and the 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 Scott Rose at Scott.Rose@dnr.wa.gov, / (360) 460-5327 or email 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
• A comprehensive benefits package 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 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 before 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 with 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 360-664-1960 or 1-877-664-1960 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.

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