Private Lands Engineer - IRIS (Kentucky)

The University of Georgia; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits Eligible

Job summary

The University of Georgia seeks a Private Lands Engineer (Water Resources) to support the WLFW Aquatics Connectivity Framework in Kentucky. You will lead regional activities, coordinate multi-agency workshops, and provide engineering expertise to NRCS state leadership.

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience; Kentucky PE licensure is preferred. Heavy field work and travel are involved, with a focus on design, surveys, and construction oversight.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Kentucky or sufficient experience and education to obtain licensure is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of conservation engineering projects on private lands in coordination with NRCS field offices, overseeing engineering analyses, developing design plans and specifications, and producing construction-ready documents using AutoDesk Civil 3D, HEC-RAS, and related software.
• Design projects may include streambank stabilization, erosion control, livestock and vehicular stream crossings, culvert replacement for aquatic organism passage, and dam removal.
• Integrate engineering designs into NRCS conservation planning processes, coordinating with planners, biologists, and landowners to evaluate alternatives and ensure NRCS standards, specifications, and job approval authority requirements.
• Lead field surveys including topographic and channel surveys using Total Station or similar equipment, collecting site data and documenting existing conditions for design development.
• Provide high-level coordination of project design, implementation, and evaluation, overseeing field responsibilities requiring frequent travel and direct interaction with landowners and NRCS staff.
• Oversee and lead project implementation, providing technical oversight during construction and verifying practices per design and NRCS requirements.
• Act as the regional lead with project stakeholders, contractors, and NRCS staff to ensure successful project delivery and completion of construction deliverables.
• Oversee technical expertise and coordination support to NRCS staff, contributing engineering expertise to conservation planning discussions and leading practice selection and feasibility evaluations.

Skills

Hydrologic modeling

Project leadership

Field coordination

Stream restoration

Hydraulic software (HEC-RAS)

Hydrologic software (HEC-HMS)

SWMM

Rivermorph

Permitting experience

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

5 years of professional experience

Tools

AutoDesk Civil 3D

HEC-RAS

HEC-HMS

SWMM

Rivermorph

Job description

Private Lands Engineer – IRIS (Kentucky)

Posting Number: S15443P

Department: ENGR-Resilient Infrast Systems

Location: Outside Georgia (London, Kentucky)

Employment Type: Full Time, 40 hours per week

Salary: $80,000–$90,000 based on experience/credentials

Posting Date: 07/14/2026

Start Date: 09/01/2026

Benefits: Benefits Eligible

Position Summary

The University of Georgia (UGA) is seeking a Private Lands Engineer (Water Resources) to support the implementation of the Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) Aquatics Connectivity Framework in Kentucky. The role serves as the key implementation lead and primary point of contact for the Regional WLFW Southern Waters Framework in Kentucky, managing multi‑agency workshops, coordinating regional activities, and providing engineering expertise to NRCS state leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Kentucky or sufficient experience and education to obtain licensure

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Stream Restoration Certification, equivalent to Wildland Hydrology Level III or higher
• Experience with leading the development and application of hydrologic and hydraulic computer models using HEC‑RAS, HEC‑HMS, and SWMM
• Experience with Rivermorph software
• Experience taking lead/ownership of project permitting
• Proficient knowledge of aquatic ecology and the ability to integrate engineering principles with an understanding of aquatic resources as a whole
• Skilled leadership in large multi‑faced projects

Physical Demands

• Standard office environment
• Regional travel to project sites
• Travel within the region
• Outdoor work in variable terrain and weather conditions
• Moderate hiking in all seasons and weather conditions
• Occasional evenings and weekends to accommodate private landowners as needed

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Engineering Design and Project Development (45%)

• Lead the design of conservation engineering projects on private lands in coordination with NRCS field offices, overseeing engineering analyses, developing design plans and specifications, and producing construction‑ready documents using AutoDesk Civil 3D, HEC‑RAS, and related software
• Design projects may include streambank stabilization, erosion control, livestock and vehicular stream crossings, culvert replacement for aquatic organism passage, and dam removal
• Integrate engineering designs into NRCS conservation planning processes, coordinating with planners, biologists, and landowners to evaluate alternatives and ensure compliance with NRCS standards, specifications, and job approval authority requirements

Field Surveys, Data Collection, and Site Assessment (25%)

• Lead and conduct fieldwork, including topographic and channel surveys using Total Station or similar equipment, collecting site data (channel geometry, flow characteristics, substrate conditions), and documenting existing conditions for design development
• Provide high‑level coordination of project design, implementation, and evaluation, while overseeing and maintaining field responsibilities requiring frequent travel and direct interaction with landowners and NRCS staff

Construction Support and Implementation Oversight (15%)

• Oversee and lead project implementation, providing technical oversight during construction (layout and staking, troubleshooting field conditions, and verifying practices are installed per design intent and NRCS requirements)
• Act as the regional lead with project stakeholders, contractors, and NRCS staff to ensure successful project delivery and completion of construction deliverables

Technical Assistance, Coordination, and Program Oversight (15%)

• Oversee technical expertise and coordination support to NRCS staff, interdisciplinary team members, and project partners, contributing engineering expertise to conservation planning discussions and leading practice selection and feasibility evaluations
• Collaborate with NRCS personnel and partners to ensure alignment with program priorities, compliance with project tracking and documentation, and overall program delivery across priority watersheds

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status.

Contact Details

Recruitment Contact Name: Virginia Bacon‑Talati

Recruitment Contact Email: [e-mail]