Engineering Intern
- 📅
- 26142401 Requisition #
- 📅
- 5 hours ago Post Date
Core Values of DNRC’s Water Resources Division
Valuing People
Stewardship
Service
Credibility
Engagement
Job Overview
Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is hiring an Engineering Intern to help support the safe operation, inspection, maintenance, and improvement of Montana’s State-owned dams and water resources infrastructure. The State Water Projects Bureau administers 19 State-owned water projects, including 23 dams and more than 250 miles of irrigation canals. These facilities provide irrigation, flood control, streamflow regulation, recreation, and other public and natural-resource benefits across Montana.
Working under the supervision of licensed Professional Engineers, this early-career position offers practical experience in dam safety, water resources, infrastructure assessment, field inspection, engineering analysis, project support, and regulatory compliance. It is an entry point into DNRC’s engineering career progression and supports professional development toward Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
This position is based in Helena, Montana, and requires approximately 30% travel and fieldwork at dams, construction sites, and other project locations. Fieldwork may occur in variable weather and terrain and may occasionally require work outside normal business hours.
What You'll Do
- Assist with annual dam safety and operations-and-maintenance inspections of State-owned dams and related facilities.
- Evaluate and document infrastructure conditions; help identify maintenance, repair, and potential dam-safety needs.
- Support field visits, monitoring activities, incident-response work, and data collection.
- Assist licensed engineers with engineering calculations, technical studies, designs, reports, plans, specifications, and project coordination.
- Support maintenance, repair, modification, evaluation, and construction projects for dams and water resources infrastructure.
- Assist with dam instrumentation, data review, monitoring thresholds, and automation efforts.
- Help prepare and maintain regulatory evaluations, operations and maintenance manuals, emergency action plans, inspection records, and other program documentation.
- Collaborate with DNRC staff, water users’ associations, contractors, consultants, regulatory agencies, and other project partners.
Benefits
- Work/life balance.
- Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays), with vacation leave increasing with service.
- Longevity pay with continued state service.
- Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts.
- Access to free employee medical clinics and telehealth.
- Retirement plans (Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plus an optional 457(b) Plan).
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness - may qualify you for student loan forgiveness.
- Career progression, professional development, and state employee discounts.
- Up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in civil engineering, engineering technology, or a closely related engineering field from an ABET-accredited or similarly approved program.
- Passage of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination and certification as an Engineer Intern (EI) is preferred.
- A valid driver's license is required.
This recruitment is open to a Training Assignment. Recent engineering degree graduates who do not yet meet all minimum qualifications are encouraged to apply. On a case-by-case basis, DNRC may consider candidates who are working toward, but do not yet hold, an EI certificate or who have less experience or education than stated in the minimum qualifications.
What You Bring
- Foundational knowledge of civil engineering principles, particularly as they apply to dams, water storage and conveyance systems, and related infrastructure.
- Interest or coursework in geotechnical, geological, hydrologic, hydraulic, water resources, structural, environmental, or construction engineering.
- Ability to interpret engineering plans, technical data, reports, specifications, and regulations.
- Ability to perform engineering calculations, support data analysis, and prepare clear field documentation, reports, and professional correspondence.
- Ability to communicate technical information effectively with both technical and nontechnical audiences.
- Willingness to learn and apply tools such as CAD, GIS, engineering modeling programs, instrumentation, water measurement, surveying, field testing, and construction practices.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercise sound judgment, manage competing priorities, and build effective working relationships.
- Ability and willingness to perform fieldwork at dams and water resources facilities, including travel, work in changing outdoor conditions, and travel across uneven terrain and sloped embankments.
Relevant internships, academic projects, fieldwork, or related experience are valued but not required.
How To Apply
Only online submissions are accepted. Applicants must attach both a cover letter and resume at the time of application to be considered for this position. Failure to attach required documents will result in the application being considered incomplete and not reviewed further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process. When attaching documents, mark each as Relevant to ensure they are viewable
Required Application Materials
Cover Letter – In no more than one page, describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities will make you successful in this role.
Resume - Include all work experience, education, and other qualifications that would help you qualify for this position
Effective May 4, 2026, this agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here: E-Verify Website.
