Army Fellows Program - Civil Engineer (83631)

US Army Corps of Engineers; Rock Island (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division, Rock Island District, seeks recent civil engineering graduates to join the Army Fellows Program, a premier two-year developmental program designed to build the next generation of engineering professionals supporting critical national infrastructure and public service missions.

Fellows rotate through key functional areas to gain broad exposure. As a Civil Engineer Fellow, you will work alongside experienced engineers and project

Qualifications

• Specialized Experience: 1 year designing, constructing civil engineering structures or systems, or monitoring projects, or identifying issues (GS-05).
• Education: One full year of graduate-level education by June 2026 in a field like Engineering.
• Superior Academic Achievement: SA.A. criteria met (class standing, GPA, or honor society). Note: GPA rounds and SA.A. requirements apply.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, design, analysis, and execution of civil engineering projects.
• Perform calculations, studies, and evaluations using established engineering principles.
• Support project managers and teams in delivering complex infrastructure projects.
• Review plans, specs, cost estimates, and technical reports.
• Participate in site visits, inspections, and construction oversight.
• Analyze data and prepare recommendations for improvements and solutions.
• Ensure compliance with engineering standards, environmental regulations, and safety.
• Collaborate with federal, state, local, and industry partners.
• Participate in leadership development and formal training throughout the Fellows Program.

Education

Graduate-level engineering coursework

5-Year Engineering Program

Job description

USACE Organization

Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) - Rock Island District

Announcement Type

Direct-Hire Authority (DHA)

Position Type

Other

USACE Organization

Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) - Rock Island District

Locations (City, State)

Rock Island, IL

Position Overview/Duties

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is seeking highly motivated recent graduates in Civil Engineering to join the Army Fellows Program, a premier two-year developmental program designed to build the next generation of engineering professionals supporting critical national infrastructure and public service missions. As a Civil Engineer Fellow, you will receive structured training, developmental assignments, mentorship, and hands-on experience supporting a diverse portfolio of civil works, military construction, environmental, and emergency management projects. Fellows work alongside experienced engineers and project delivery teams to plan, design, construct, and maintain infrastructure that strengthens national security, protects communities, and enhances the nation’s quality of life. Throughout the program, Fellows rotate through key functional areas to gain broad exposure to engineering design, project management, construction oversight, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Assignments may include supporting flood risk management projects, navigation systems, ecosystem restoration initiatives, military facilities, dams, levees, and other critical infrastructure projects across the nation.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the planning, design, analysis, and execution of civil engineering projects.
• Perform engineering calculations, technical studies, and evaluations using established engineering principles and practices.
• Support project managers, engineers, and multidisciplinary teams in delivering complex infrastructure projects.
• Review engineering plans, specifications, cost estimates, and technical reports.
• Participate in site visits, inspections, and construction oversight activities.
• Analyze engineering data and prepare recommendations for project improvements and solutions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable engineering standards, environmental regulations, and safety requirements.
• Collaborate with federal, state, local, and industry partners to support project delivery.
• Participate in leadership development, formal training, and professional growth opportunities throughout the Fellows Program.

The Army Fellows Program Provides

• A structured two-year developmental program.
• Progressive career advancement opportunities.
• Formal leadership and technical training.
• Mentorship from experienced engineering professionals.
• Exposure to enterprise-wide USACE missions and operations.
• Networking opportunities across the Department of the Army and Federal Government.
• Career progression to increasingly responsible engineering positions upon successful completion of the program.

Other Conditions And Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.

Must sign a mobility agreement if selected.

Must sign an Army Fellows Participant Agreement if selected.

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.

A Personnel Security Investigation is required.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes assisting in the design and construction of civil engineering structures or systems using established criteria or specifications; or, monitoring civil engineering projects and resources; or, identifying civil engineering problems and recommending corrective action. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

OR

Education: One full year of graduate level education (or will complete by June 2026) in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Engineering.

OR

Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion (or completion no later than June 2026), all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.). In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifies for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on: (1) Class Standing- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR (2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR (3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/).

NOTE: Grade point averages will be rounded to one decimal point. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0, and 2.94 will round to 2.9.

NOTE: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) was taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, your S.A.A. claim must be based on class standing or membership in an honor society and you must provide evidence of your class standing or honor society membership with your application.

OR

5-Year Engineering Program: Successful completion (or completion by June 2026) of a 5-year program of study