Associate Director of Civil Engineering

About the role: Associate Directors of Civil Engineering (AD) report to the Director of Civil Engineering and Chief Dam Safety Engineer (CDSE). The ADs are also considered Associate Chief Dam Safety Engineers and support the CDSE with development of the Owner’s Dam Safety Program (ODSP). The AD’s are primarily responsible for day-to-day execution of the ODSP within an assigned region with support from a team of dam safety engineers that the AD supervises. This includes day-to-day interactions with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Division of Dam Safety and Inspections (FERC), engineering consultants, and construction contractors in addition to hydroelectric plant operations teams and other Eagle Creek personnel.

While this position is classified as remote, qualified candidates must be located on the east coast and within a three hour driving distance to one of our operational facilities. Candidates not currently located on the east coast may not be considered. 

Why Eagle Creek?

• A comprehensive benefits plan: Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA, FSA, Commuter benefits, Voluntary Life, 401(k) Match.
• Eleven paid holidays per year, plus a competitive PTO schedule and time off to volunteer or give back to your community.
• Access to a company-funded Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discounts through ADP LifeMart.
• Tuition Reimbursement as well as access to trainings & mentors for Career Progression and Personal Development.

What You’ll Do:

• Understand the risks, responsibilities and liabilities of dam operations and ownership.
• Collaborate with the Chief Dam Safety Engineer to develop and implement an effective ODSP.
• Serve as a primary point of contact responsible for day-to-day communications with engineering consultants, construction contractors, the FERC regional offices, and a wide range of Eagle Creek personnel.
• Lead DSEs (Dam Safety Engineers) in the development and maintenance of Dam Safety Surveillance and Monitoring Plans, Supporting Technical Information Documents, Dam Safety Surveillance and Monitoring Reports, and other technical reports as required.
• Participate in and/or designate DSEs to participate in FERC dam safety inspections, Part 12 inspections, PFMAs, and Risk Analysis workshops as well as oversee the review of all associated reports and STIDs for technical content and quality.
• Lead the dam safety surveillance monitoring program (detailed gate inspections, bathymetry surveys, topographic surveys, monument surveys, dive inspections, etc.) for an assigned area and collaborate with DSEs to review performance monitoring data and develop DSSMRs.
• Lead the implementation of processes and procedures for the inspection, maintenance, and testing of flow control equipment.
• Assist and train Operations staff in the understanding and application of safe operational practices to preserve dam and public safety, including assistance as needed with inflow and outflow forecasting.
• Respond to incidents at dams by ensuring all necessary actions are taken to prevent or mitigate loss of life or property from a potential dam failure.
• Assist the Operations Team in the identification of and evaluation of solutions to maintenance deficiencies.
• Collaborate with DSEs, project consultants, the Operations Team, and state and federal regulatory representatives to ensure that all dam safety engineering commitments are completed on time and that deliverables are of high quality.
• Lead DSEs in the execution of projects to ensure that all dam and civil construction projects are completed on time and in accordance with commonly accepted dam safety practices for continued safe operation.
• Collaborate with external auditors and the CDSE to conduct periodic external and internal ODSP reviews.
• Participate in the development and implementation of company-wide dam safety training programs to create and maintain a company-wide culture focused on dam safety as a top priority.
• Lead the assigned DSEs in information management to verify and ensure appropriate maintenance and completeness of dam safety files, records, and documents. Including applicable dam safety documentation of newly acquired projects.
• Serve as a driver of continuous improvement of the Dam and Public Safety Program.

What skills and experience you’ll need:

• A bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or closely related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license/certification
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in an engineering discipline integral to dams.
• An innovative problem solver with track record of successful problem-solving proficiencies.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully operate independently.
• Strong organizational skills and independently driven to complete tasks.
• Knowledge and understanding of FERC and applicable State Dam Safety regulations.
• Fundamental understanding and application of structural, geotechnical, hydrologic, and hydraulic engineering and construction management concepts.
• Knowledge of dam instrumentation including various types of piezometers, inclinometers, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage competing deadlines.
• The ability to travel up to 30% of the time depending on location.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to climb/traverse the slopes of dams, some of which may exceed 100 feet.
• Comfortable with entry into confined spaces such as dam galleries for inspections.