Local recruitment: Division Five Division Engineer

• Salary: $130,164.00 – $192,276.00 Annually
• Location: Glenwood Springs, CO
• Job Type: Full Time
• Job Number: PEA 00174 08/2025
• Department: Department of Natural Resources
• Division: Division of Water Resources
• Opening Date: 08/22/2025
• Closing Date: 9/14/2025 11:59 PM Mountain
• FLSA: Determined by Position
• Primary Physical Work Address: 202 Center Drive, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
• Hiring Pay Rate: Employees new to State Government will be paid on a bi-weekly basis.
• FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Department Contact Information: Patrick.gerity@state.co.us
• Type of Announcement: A residency waiver has been granted for this announcement. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
• How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

Department Information

This posting is open to current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. However, if you are selected and accept the position, you will be required to establish residence in the State of Colorado.

The Division of Water Resources has two open Professional Engineer positions in the Glenwood Springs office.   This position is at the PE IV, Division Engineer level.  Be sure to look at the PE III, Deputy Division Engineer posting as well.Are you interested in investing in a career that makes a difference?

Consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. It’s our mission to manage and conserve Colorado’s natural resources for the benefit of people today – and tomorrow. That means we have to balance development with conservation so the state we all love provides similar opportunities for our children and their children.

We invite you to explore our website at https://dnr.colorado.gov/ to find out more about the work we do to manage Colorado’s natural resources for today – and tomorrow.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.

In addition to offering rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

• Medical and Dental plans
• Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Wellness programs
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave
• Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system

 Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

Division of Water Resources (DWR):

State Engineer’s Office

Our mission is to administer the waters of the State to maximize lawful beneficial use, ensure that dams and water wells are properly constructed and safe, and provide information about water resources to the public. Division of Water Resources

This work unit exists to serve the public and preserve, protect, develop, and optimize the beneficial use of the state’s present and future water supplies.  This work unit exits to administer, distribute and regulate the water of the Colorado River according to the doctrine of prior appropriation, pursuant to Colorado Statutes, and in compliance with the Colorado River Compact.

Description of Job

This posting is open to current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. However, if you are selected and accept the position, you will be required to establish residence in the State of Colorado.

The Division of Water Resources has two open Professional Engineer positions in the Glenwood Springs office.   This position is at the PE IV, Division Engineer level.  Be sure to look at the PE III, Deputy Division Engineer posting as well.

This position exists to perform such functions and duties as specified by state statute and to carry out duties and orders of the State Engineer within the geographical area of Water Division Five.  The position must guide and direct allocation and regulation of water supplies; oversee dam safety; oversee hydrographic measurements and publications to identify and quantify water supplies; oversee well use; enforce compliance with decrees, statutes, permits, rules and regulations, and interstate compacts; compile and make available official records of water use and official lists of water rights; and resolve disputes concerning water rights and use.
Specific job duties include but are not limited to:

Operations and Planning:  Directs, oversees, and implements the responsibilities, goals, objectives, and polices of the agency by planning, scheduling, and directing work efforts; by allocating budget for operating and personal services; by supervising and training subordinates; and by collaborating with other agency personnel.

Water Court and Litigation Lead: Directs and oversees the analysis and evaluation of all new applications for water rights in the Division; submission of information and opinions regarding viability of each application through written consultation reports to the water court as required by statute; negotiations with applicants to construct court decrees consistent with statutes and administrative policies; tabulation of decreed water rights for; and publishes and defends a list of potentially abandoned water rights every ten years. Directs and oversees the performance of engineering evaluations of water court cases for engineering, geologic, and administrative correctness and serves as a subject matter expert on enforcement and legal issues in Water Division 5. Presents expert testimony to water court in areas of water resources, engineering, water administration, hydrography, and water rights. Acts as a liaison to the Attorney General’s Office and the Water Court. Leads negotiations with attorneys, consulting engineers, and geologists of applicants for water rights on behalf of the Division of Water Resources.

Water Administration:  Interprets, applies, and enforces statutes, decrees, interstate compacts, interstate decrees, MOUs, permits, rules and regulations, and court decisions; by formulating and adjusting a program for allocation and distribution of water in the Water Division; by issuing orders regulating and controlling water use; by developing and implementing legal enforcement actions to secure compliance; and by directing, overseeing and executing field investigations, engineering studies, and reports.     

Directs the water administration program to achieve the optimal distribution and regulation of water from streams, aquifers, and reservoirs, including determination of the physical availability in relation to allocation principles to meet statutory, decretal, compact and constitutional obligations through collaboration with staff and water users.  Issues orders and initiates enforcement actions as necessary to enforce water administration statutes and monitors compliance with orders issued to ensure compliance.

Directs the water administration program to gather, edit, compile and publish data to produce the official record of water diversions and use within the Water Division.
Water Information, Hydrographic and Water Measurement:  Oversees, analyzes, and guides the program that measures stream flow and diversions, in concert with the Chief of Hydrography, to identify and quantify the available water supplies in the basin. Ensures the program provides permanent official records of water flow at designated locations and disseminates water flow information to water officials, water users, and the general public via the DWR website. 

Oversees the implementation, enforcement, and continued enforcement and compliance with the Division 5 Measurement Rules.

Directs and oversees the tabulation of water rights for Division 5, preparation of the list of proposed water rights for abandonment every 10 years, resolves protests to the abandonment list, defends the list in court proceedings as required.

Guides, directs and oversees the gathering, editing, compiling and publication of data to produce an official record of water distribution and use within the Water Division.

Approves or denies applications for Non-Jurisdictional Water Impoundments, Livestock Tanks and Erosion Control dam permits.
Dam Safety:  Assists the Chief of Dam Safety in the administration of the dam safety program that monitors, inspects, and evaluates the condition of dams; reviews orders proposing restriction of storage levels in reservoirs for recommendation to State Engineer; monitors compliance with orders; and initiates enforcement actions to protect public safety.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

This posting is open to current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. However, if you are selected and accept the position, you will be required to establish residence in the State of Colorado.

The Division of Water Resources has two open Professional Engineer positions in the Glenwood Springs office.   This position is at the PE IV, Division Engineer level.  Be sure to look at the PE III, Deputy Division Engineer posting as well.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:
Current, valid licensure as a Professional Engineer from the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors.
OR
Current valid licensure as a Professional Engineer in the United States, and able to obtain licensure in Colorado within six (6) months of hire.

AND

Four (4) years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position, two (2) of which must have been at the level of a senior authority, manager, or equivalent

Substitutions:

Appropriate education in addition to that required for the professional engineer license will substitute for the required general experience on a year-for-year basis, but not the staff authority or managerial experience.
Please note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section of your application will be reviewed to determine this. “See Resume” statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

Substitutions: 
Satisfactory completion of course work from an accredited, non-correspondence college or university in engineering, geology, hydro-geology, water resources engineering, watershed science, natural resources, environment science, geography/GIS or other field related to the assignment may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required general experience.  

If you are using a degree to substitute for the required experience, you may be required to provide copies of your educational transcripts for verification of your qualifications if requested. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current or former State experience relevant to this position.
• Knowledge and experience with Colorado water rights.
• Knowledge and experience with Colorado water law and water courts.
• Knowledge and experience with plans for augmentation.
• Experience in water resource engineering.
• Experience managing programs and staff. 
• Experience presenting engineering and/or legal  information to the public or interested groups in a manner that can be understood by those without a technical background.
• Other experience relevant to the use or management of water resources.

The current work arrangement for this position is as follows: 
(Please note, this arrangement can be subject to change)

• Hybrid schedule to be worked out with supervisor. Expected to work in main Glenwood Springs office (located at 202 Center Drive, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601) a minimum of three (3) days a week after initial training period. 

Conditions of Employment: 

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify their application from the current position.  (Please Note: Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with DNR). 
• Applicants who do not have a current, valid licensure as a Professional Engineer from the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors will be required to obtain a Colorado license within six (6) months of hire as a condition of employment. 
• Must be willing and able to possess and maintain a State of Colorado Driver’s License
• Must possess and maintain a current P.E. license in the State of Colorado (or have valid licensure in another state at time of application). 
• Must be prepared to defend and support actions and records in depositions or court testimony.
• Must be able to address frequent and detailed inquiries from attorneys, professional engineers and hydrologists from government and private agencies.

APPEAL RIGHTS:
It is recommended that you contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below to resolve issues related to your possession of minimum qualifications. However, if you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email, US Mail, faxed or hand delivered within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board go to spb.colorado.gov or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

The Assessment Process 

• All applications received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed by an HR Specialist against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. 
• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position will be a structured application review by Subject Matter Experts.
• Resumes, cover letters and other attachments are not considered as part of initial reviews, therefore, it is important to document in your application your education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement. 
• Please thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) since question responses may be evaluated for content, writing ability, spelling, grammar, and effective communication. 
• This recruitment may involve additional testing and/or exams to arrive at the top group for interviews.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Department of Natural Resources is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, atdnr_hr_employeebenefits@state.co.us. 
The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.
The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

ADAAA Accommodations

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact at dnr_hr_employeebenefits@state.co.us at least five business days before the date that any accommodation will be required to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.

E-Verify

The Department of Natural Resources participates in E-Verify in accordance with the program’s Right to Work for all newly-hired employees. Employees are queried through the electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify identity and employment eligibility. You may complete section 1 of the I-9 form upon your acceptance of a job offer letter, but no later than your first day of employment and in addition, on your first day, but no later than the third day, you are required to submit original documents to verify your eligibility to work in the U.S. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Toll–Free Applicant Support – Technical Help

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV at 855-524-5627, Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). The Human Resources Office will be unable to assist with technical issues.   Helpful hints: If you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and close the document before you attempt to upload it.

Employer: State of Colorado

Address: See the full announcement by clicking
the “Printer” icon located above the job title
Location varies by announcement, Colorado, —

Website: https://careers.colorado.gov/