Lead Civil Engineer (Hydraulics) - DIRECT HIRE

Lead Civil Engineer (Hydraulics) - DIRECT HIRE

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): Juneau, Alaska, Montgomery, Alabama, Little Rock, Arkansas, Phoenix, Arizona, Los Angeles, California, Sacramento, California, Lakewood, Colorado, Hartford, Connecticut, Washington, District of Columbia, Dover, Delaware, Tallahassee, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, Honolulu, Hawaii, Ames, Iowa, Boise, Idaho, Springfield, Illinois, Indianapolis, Indiana, Topeka, Kansas, Frankfort, Kentucky, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Boston, Massachusetts, Baltimore, Maryland, Augusta, Maine, Lansing, Michigan, Saint Paul, Minnesota, Jefferson City, Missouri, Jackson, Mississippi, Helena, Montana, Raleigh, North Carolina, Bismarck, North Dakota, Lincoln, Nebraska, Concord, New Hampshire, Trenton, New Jersey, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Carson City, Nevada, Albany, New York, Columbus, Ohio, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Salem, Oregon, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Providence, Rhode Island, Columbia, South Carolina, Pierre, South Dakota, Nashville, Tennessee, Austin, Texas, Salt Lake City, Utah, Richmond, Virginia, Montpelier, Vermont, Olympia, Washington, Vancouver, Washington, Madison, Wisconsin, Charleston, West Virginia, Cheyenne, Wyoming

Salary Range: $147945 - $197200 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is in the Office of Infrastructure, Office of Bridges and Structures. You will serve as the Principal Hydraulics and Team Leader of the Hydraulics and Geotechnical Engineering Team. You will provide national leadership on hydrologic and hydraulic engineering and provide technical assistance in these areas for other FHWA offices, Federal agencies, State departments of transportation and other stakeholders.

Major Duties:

• As a Lead Civil Engineer (Hydraulics), you will: Serve as a national authority in advising and consulting FHWA field offices on the technical adequacy of design and/or eligibility for participation with Federal-aid highway funds for drainage systems built cooperatively between State departments of transportation and other Federal, State, or local agencies, and for other projects containing unusual or controversial hydraulics engineering features. Serve as a nationally recognized expert and consultant for nationwide training programs for hydraulic and geotechnical engineering personnel. Lead the development and extensive coordination of national design manuals, incorporating cutting-edge findings from laboratory, analytical and literature research, to advance research and improved design practices. Direct and manage a comprehensive national program of field office technical assistance and oversight visits to State Departments of Transportation to evaluate, influence, and ensure the consistent application and implementation of nationwide engineering practices and regulatory procedures. Collaborate with the Office of Research and Development to establish and lead national research and technology transfer projects, identify emerging national research needs, recommend research and technology transfer programs, and advise on the results of implemented research and technology transfer projects related to hydraulic and geotechnical engineering. Represent FHWA as a national authority in technical panels of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) leading to the establishment of research program direction and the formulation of guidance in the fields of hydrology and hydraulics engineering and stream stability and scour at highway bridges. The ideal candidate is a mid-career Hydraulics Engineer with significant knowledge of and experience with serving as a national authority and expert of hydrologic and hydraulic engineering related to highway planning and location, design, construction and/or preservation to lead FHWA's hydrologic and hydraulic initiatives. Will have senior level experience in leading and managing a team of highly technical engineering professionals and their associated programs and activities.

Qualifications: To meet the basic qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Mandatory Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of your transcripts or other applicable documentation for verification, AND (3) meet the specialized experience requirements. For the GS-15 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-14 grade level, which included: Experience serving as a national authority and expert of hydrologic and hydraulic engineering related to highway planning and location, design, construction and/or preservation; AND Experience leading and managing the activities of a staff of engineers and recognized national level experts; AND Experience in the interpretation and application of Federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to hydrologic and hydraulic engineering and the impact of related programs. Although you must meet the mandatory education requirement, you cannot qualify for GS-12 and above grades based solely on education, you must meet the specialized experience, which is cited above. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will also be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Civil Engineering - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods required to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain facilities such as buildings, transportation systems, water and sanitary systems, and other public works systems. Leadership - Influence, motivate, and challenge others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations. Hydraulic Engineering - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods applicable to analysis of the flow of fluids (open channel and pressure flow), estimation of river stages, and design of hydraulic structures, drainage structures, pipes, navigation facilities, reservoirs, locks, and dams. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/ All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How to Apply: You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting. Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire. You may review your saved application(s) at https://help.usajobs.gov/ If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at: Transjobs@dot.gov

Application Deadline: 2026-05-14