LSO 3 DPE - Dam Safety Engineer

British Columbia Public Service Careers; Kamloops; Hybrid; CAD 82,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible telework options

Competitive salary and benefits

Strong pension plan

Job summary

BC Public Service in Kamloops, BC seeks a Dam Safety Engineer to regulate a dam portfolio under the Dam Safety Regulation. The role provides leadership, professional engineering judgement, and guidance to staff and stakeholders to protect public and environmental safety, with flexibility for hybrid work.

Requirements include P.Eng./P.Geo. eligibility, Dam Safety Officer designation eligibility, and a civil/geotechnical background with 3–5+ years of related experience.

Qualifications

• Registration as a professional engineer or geoscientist (or eligibility) within 6 months.
• Eligibility for Dam Safety Officer designation under the Water Sustainability Act.
• Bachelor’s degree plus 5 years or Master’s plus 3 years related experience.

Responsibilities

• Regulate a portfolio of dams under the Dam Safety Regulation.
• Provide leadership, advice and professional engineering judgement.
• Lead compliance/enforcement activities for non‑compliant dam owners.
• Collaborate with internal teams and ministry partners on public safety.

Skills

P.Eng./P.Geo. eligibility

Dam Safety Officer eligibility

Contract management experience

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil, Geotechnical or Hydrotechnical Engineering or Geosciences

Master’s Degree in Civil, Geotechnical or Hydrotechnical Engineering or Geosciences

Equivalent combination of related education/training

Job description

LSO 3 DPE - Dam Safety Engineer

Position Classification: LSO 3 -Designated Profssnl Eng

Union: PEA

Work Options: Hybrid

Location: Kamloops, BC V2H 1B7 CA
Multiple Locations, BC CA (Primary)
Nelson, BC V1L 6K1 CA
Penticton, BC V2A 8X1 CA
Prince George, BC V2N4P7 CA
Quesnel, BC V2J 6W6 CA
Williams Lake, BC V2G 5M1 CA

Salary Range: $82,451.56 - $110,092.67 annually, plus a 6.5% Recruitment and Retention Adjustment*

Close Date: 10/30/2026

Job Type: Regular Full Time

Ministry/Organization: BC Public Service -> Water,Land,ResourceStewardship

Ministry Branch / Division: Water Management/Water, Fisheries and Coast

Job Summary

The Team

Join the Dam Safety Section, a small and collaborative provincial team of engineers, specialists, technologists, and training professionals dedicated to ensuring the safe operation of more than 2,000 dams across British Columbia. Working alongside both experienced and newer team members, you'll collaborate with a wide range of experts and government partners to support public and environmental safety. Our team is known for its professionalism, commitment to public service, and strong focus on maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

The Role

Regulating a portfolio of dams by exercising the powers and authorities of both an Engineer and a Dam Safety Officer (DSO) under the Dam Safety Regulation of the Water Sustainability Act. This position provides leadership, advice, research and professional engineering expertise and judgement in the field of dam safety for other staff in the Provincial Dam Safety Program and for the Ministry. This position also provides leadership and support for compliance and enforcement activities on dam owners that are non-compliant with Dam Safety Regulation.

Qualifications: Education and Experience Requirements

• Registered, or immediately eligible for registration within six (6) months of employment, as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) or Geoscientist (P.Geo.) with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC). Confirmation of registration/eligibility is required before an offer of employment can be made. Note: if registered as a P.Geo., must have or obtain a limited licence (P.L.Eng.) in an engineering discipline relating to dams, including hydrology, hydraulics, civil, structural, or geotechnical; AND,
• Must be eligible for designation as a Dam Safety Officer and an Engineer under the Water Sustainability Act and complete required in-house Dam Safety Program training to gain the Dam Safety Officer designation and undertake and maintain Dam Safety Officer accountabilities and ongoing training to retain the designation.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil, Geotechnical or Hydrotechnical Engineering or Geosciences and five (5) years of related experience; OR,
• Master’s Degree in Civil, Geotechnical or Hydrotechnical Engineering or Geosciences and three (3) years of related experience; OR,
• An equivalent combination of related education and/or training may be considered.

Related experience includes:

• Experience providing professional engineering expertise, advice and recommendations to other professionals, senior management, dam owners and the public, particularly with respect to dam safety; AND,
• Experience with critical review of licensed professional reports, plans, drawings, and project proposals.

Preference may be given to applicants with:

• Experience in contract management of engineering works, including enforcing contract specifications and dealing directly with construction contractors; and/or,
• Experience in a number of disciplines relating to dams, hydrology, hydraulics, and flood protection, including engineering (civil, structural, geotechnical), risk assessment, relevant provincial statutes and emergency management.

Provisos

• Must possess and maintain a valid BC Class 5 Driver’s Licence and have the ability to operate a 4-wheel drive in all types of driving conditions, both on and off road.
• Must meet the safety standards of WorkSafe BC.
• Must be physically able to lift small equipment and be able to traverse rough terrain.
• Willing and able to be available 24/7 to respond to emergencies and perform a variety of duties within the scope of the position’s regular responsibilities and to represent the Ministry at public meetings and events.
• Willing and able to travel throughout the province and conduct field work, which may include travel to remote areas by vehicle, boat, air or foot, overnight or extended stay in rough camp conditions and outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• Willing and able to communicate directly with uncooperative clients and stakeholders and negotiate requirements of work to be completed with high degree of tact, judgement and initiative.
• Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service.

For questions regarding this position, please contact [e-mail].

About this Position:

2 positions available. These positions can be based in any Water,Land,ResourceStewardship office in the Interior and Northern B.C. area. The locations listed above are to assist applicants in searching for this opportunity and are not a complete list of locations.

Flexible work options are available; this position may be able to work from home up to 5 days a week subject to an approved telework agreement.

An eligibility list may be established to fill future permanent vacancies.

A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.

Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment.

Working for the BC Public Service:

The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

We are committed to ensuring that reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process, including the assessment and selection stages. Please email the individual or contact listed on the posting if you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process.

The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Inuit or Métis) applicants originating from the land now known as Canada, seeking work or already employed in the BC Public Service. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.

The BC Public Service offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits including one of the best pension plans available, and a healthy work-life balance within a diverse and inclusive work environment.

• Professional Employees Association members enjoy a 35-hour work week, four weeks of annual paid leave, and a 7% allowance in lieu of Overtime, Shiftwork and Standby (OSS), which can be taken as either additional salary or time off.
• Other benefits include coverage of professional fees, comprehensive dental and medical plans, and a wide range of career development and learning opportunities.

Job Category

Natural Resource Sector, Scientific and Technical