Engineering Intern

Montana Historical Society; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid leave

Telehealth

Military leave

State discounts

Job summary

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is hiring an Engineering Intern to support safe operation, inspection, maintenance and improvement of Montana’s dams and water resources infrastructure. The role offers practical experience under licensed engineers, with path toward PE licensure, and is based in Helena, MT with travel to field locations.

You will assist with inspections, document infrastructure conditions, perform calculations, and support regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited civil engineering degree or closely related field.
• FE examination with EI certification preferred.
• Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with annual dam safety and O&M inspections of State-owned dams and related facilities.
• Evaluate infrastructure conditions and identify maintenance and dam-safety needs.
• Support field visits, monitoring activities, and data collection; assist with calculations, studies, and reports.

Skills

Engineering basics

Plans interpretation

Engineering calculations

Technical communication

Teamwork

Education

ABET-accredited degree

FE exam preferred

Tools

CAD

GIS

Instrumentation

Surveying

Job description

Job Description - Engineering Intern (26142401)

Position Title:

Core Values of DNRC’s Water Resources Division

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.
• 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.
• 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.

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary

34.10 - 34.10 Hourly

Telework Eligibility: Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.)

Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

1

Employee Status : Regular Schedule : Full-Time

Job Type

Standard

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes, 25 % of the Time

Primary Location

Helena Agency : Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Union : 000 - None

Posting Date

Sep 23, 2026, 5:07:15 PM Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone) : Oct 1, 2026, 5:59:00 AM

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.