SR Civil Engineer

Senior Civil Engineer / Dam Safety Subject Matter Expert

Location: Remote, with required travel to El Vado Dam – Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico and Lakewood, Colorado
Company: Colorado Network Staffing (CNS)
Position Type: Contract / Project-Based
Anticipated Project Duration: Up to five (5) years

Position Summary

Colorado Network Staffing (CNS) is seeking a highly experienced Senior Civil Engineer / Dam Safety Subject Matter Expert (SME) to provide independent technical review and advisory support for a federal dam safety project involving the evaluation and modification of a large earthen embankment dam.

This primarily remote position will serve as a senior technical resource supporting feasibility-level corrective action studies, constructability evaluations, construction risk assessments, and design reviews. The SME will provide independent technical feedback regarding proposed dam safety modifications, construction sequencing, temporary construction features, embankment and earthwork construction, cutoff wall systems, geomembrane liners, grouting applications, and associated high-hazard dam infrastructure.

The position requires extensive experience with large embankment dams, dam safety modifications, complex civil construction, temporary river diversion systems, construction risk analysis, and alternative project delivery methods. Periodic travel to El Vado Dam in New Mexico and the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood, Colorado will be required.

Essential Functions

Dam Safety & Civil Engineering Review

• Provide independent technical review of feasibility-level corrective action studies and proposed dam safety modifications.

• Review historical engineering analyses, geotechnical investigations, construction records, technical memoranda, and project documentation.

• Evaluate the technical soundness of proposed alternatives intended to reduce dam safety risks.

• Review construction feasibility, constructability, sequencing, and implementation risks associated with proposed modifications.

• Provide recommendations regarding construction methods and approaches for large embankment dam projects.

• Evaluate proposed corrective actions based on site conditions, construction constraints, risk reduction objectives, and long-term dam performance.

Construction & Constructability Evaluation

• Review sequencing of major construction activities and identify potential construction risks.

• Evaluate temporary construction features, including earthen cofferdams, cellular cofferdams, river diversions, and other systems used to manage water inflows during construction.

• Review proposed earthwork construction, haul road development, borrow site development, concrete construction, and associated civil infrastructure.

• Evaluate geomembrane liner systems and related construction considerations.

• Review cementitious grouting applications and embankment cutoff wall construction.

• Provide technical input regarding construction of high-hazard dams and major dam safety modification projects.

• Evaluate project alternatives for constructability, cost considerations, schedule impacts, and overall construction risk.

Technical Peer Review

• Participate as a member of a Technical Peer Review Board (TPRB) or comparable independent technical review team.

• Review engineering analyses, design concepts, construction approaches, and risk reduction evaluations.

• Provide independent professional judgment regarding the suitability of proposed dam safety modifications.

• Review technical analyses related to slope stability, seepage, settlement, seismic performance, hydrology, and constructability as they relate to construction decisions.

• Review geological and geotechnical information affecting construction planning and implementation.

• Participate in technical workshops, design meetings, and peer review discussions.

• Provide recommendations for additional investigations, analyses, or design considerations as appropriate.

Technical Documentation & Reporting

• Prepare written technical comments, memoranda, review findings, and recommendations.

• Review technical memoranda and feasibility-level engineering documents.

• Prepare formal documentation summarizing technical concerns, observations, and recommendations.

• Review and provide comments through PDF markups, comment-response logs, technical letters, and other required formats.

• Participate in presentations and technical discussions regarding peer review findings.

• Provide clear, defensible technical recommendations based on engineering judgment and project documentation.

Project Meetings & Coordination

• Participate in virtual design team meetings, technical workshops, and correspondence meetings throughout the project.

• Collaborate with engineers, geologists, construction professionals, technical specialists, and project leadership.

• Review project documentation in advance of meetings and prepare technical questions and recommendations.

• Participate in project kickoff meetings and site visits as required.

• Provide timely responses to technical questions from the project team.

• Coordinate peer review activities with other technical review board members and project leadership.