Utility Engineer

City of Missoula; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 51,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Missoula is seeking a utility engineering professional to support design and construction of municipal utilities. Roles include Engineer-in-Training, Engineer, or Senior Engineer, with increasing responsibilities across planning, design, construction, and standards development.

The position offers work on water, wastewater, and stormwater projects, collaborating with staff, consultants, contractors, and the public to improve safety, sustainability, and long‑term infrastructure

Qualifications

• Knowledge of engineering principles and practices for planning, design, construction, and operations.
• Ability to interpret Missoula municipal codes and regulatory requirements.
• Familiarity with State and Federal grant programs and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and support municipal water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities.
• Coordinate and review consultant/contract scopes of work and agreements.
• Collaborate with City staff to identify capital improvement needs.
• Provide technical support for utility operations and planning efforts.
• Prepare plans, specifications, and bid documents for utility projects.
• Inspect and review plans for compliance with standards.
• Participate in development and implementation of City goals and procedures.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Review plans

Public Works standards

Grant administration

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

The City of Missoula is seeking a utility engineering professional to support the design and construction of public utility infrastructure projects that keep our community safe, connected, and growing. This position may be filled at the Engineer-in-Training, Engineer, or Senior Engineer level depending on qualifications and experience, and will contribute to municipal utilities efforts across the Public Works & Mobility Department. Under the guidance of licensed engineers, the role supports planning, design, construction, and implementation of projects in accordance with City, State, and Federal standards.

This position offers the opportunity to work on a wide range of impactful projects, including water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. The successful candidate will collaborate with City staff, consultants, contractors, and the public to deliver engineering solutions that enhance safety, sustainability, and long-term infrastructure performance. Work may include project coordination, technical analysis, design review, inspections, public engagement, and policy or standards development, with increasing responsibility and leadership expectations at higher classification levels.

This position will remain open until filled with continuous review of applications.

Starting Pay

New hires start within our entry-to-market range, depending on experience and qualifications:

• Engineer in Training $37.12 - $42.66/hour
• Engineer $42.31 - $49.20/hour
• Senior Engineer $45.49 - $52.90/hour

Full Pay Range

• Engineer-in-Training $37.12 - $45.22/hour
• Engineer $42.31 - $52.19/hour
• Senior Engineer $45.49 - $56.07/hour

Engineer-in-Training

• Perform a full range of engineering duties involved in planning, design, construction, and operational support for municipal water, wastewater, and storm water utilities.
• Coordinate and review engineering consultant and contractor scopes of work, agreements, and contracts.
• Collaborate with City staff to identify and prioritize capital improvement needs for municipal utilities.
• Provide technical support and expertise for utility operations and staff, including multi-disciplinary capital projects and planning efforts
• Assist with the preparation of plans, specifications, and bid documents for utility-funded water, wastewater, and storm water projects.
• Provide inspections, review plans and specifications for compliance with City, regulatory, and industry standards
• Participate in the development and implementation of City goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned, based on training and qualifications.

Engineer

• Perform a full range of engineering duties involved in planning, design, construction, and operational support for municipal water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities.
• Coordinate and review engineering consultant and contractor scopes of work, agreements, and contracts.
• Collaborate with City staff to identify and prioritize capital improvement needs for municipal utilities; develop and manage project budgets; serve as grant administrator for state and federal program funded capital improvement projects.
• Provide technical support and expertise for utility operations and staff, including multi-disciplinary capital projects and planning efforts.
• Assist with the preparation of plans, specifications, and bid documents for utility-funded projects.
• Provide inspections, review plans and specifications for compliance with City regulatory and industry standards.
• Participate in the development and implementation of City goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and municipal utility engineering design and construction standards.
• Conduct and coordinate various departmental and public meetings and hearings;make presentations and provide recommendations to City Council regarding technical issues, contract services, capital projects, budgets, and other related matters.
• Respond to and resolve various complaints and inquires.
• Other duties as assigned, based on training and qualifications.

Senior Engineer

• Independently perform a full range of engineering duties involved in planning, design, construction, and operational support for municipal water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities.
• Coordinate and review engineering consultant and contractor scopes of work, agreements, and contracts.
• Collaborate with City staff to identify and prioritize capital improvement needs for municipal utilities; develop and manage project budgets; serve as grant administrator for state and federal program funded capital improvement projects.
• Provide technical support and expertise for utility operations and staff, including multi-disciplinary capital projects and planning efforts.
• Assist with the preparation of plans, specifications, and bid documents for utility-funded projects.
• Provide inspections, review plans, reports and specifications for compliance with City regulatory and industry standards.
• Participate in the development and implementation of City goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and municipal utility engineering design and construction standards.
• Serve as department liaison for utility related matters providing solutions to inquiries and complaints; conduct public meetings and hearings, including presentations to City Council with recommendations regarding technical issues, contracts, capital projects and budgets.
• Analyze development scenarios using water and wastewater models.
• Other duties as assigned, based on training and qualifications.

• Must have a valid Montana driver’s license with a verified acceptable driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire.

Engineer-in-Training

• Knowledge of engineering principles and practices, including construction, design, development, infrastructure, and operations.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply the Missoula Municipal Code, Montana State and Federal laws relating to accessibility, bidding procedures, record keeping, reporting, rights-of-way, zoning, and engineering inspection policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of State and Federal grant programs, workplace safety, and emergency management procedures and regulations.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply compliance standards and design guidelines, including American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHTO), National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), form-based codes, smart-growth principles, and Complete Streets.
• Skill in negotiating and communicating, in person and writing, with the proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals.
• Skill in managing projects, including consultant selection, contract administration, project scheduling, budgeting, and risk management.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports and correspondence.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering and building plans, specifications, technical reports, calculations, and codes to determine compliance with applicable regulations and standards.
• Ability to learn Public Works standards, City of Missoula plans, including Utility, Transportation, and Capital Improvement Plans.
• Ability to provide engineering expertise across multiple areas and projects, including Development Review, Transportation, and Utilities.

Engineer

• Knowledge of engineering principles and practices, including construction, design, development,infrastructure, and operations.
• Knowledge of ability to interpret and apply various state and federal laws relating to accessibility, record keeping, reporting, rights-of-way, zoning, and engineering inspections.
• Knowledge of State and Federal grant programs, workplace safety and emergency management procedures and regulations.
• Skill in utilizing various computer software and databases, including Microsoft 365, and the ability to learn job-specific applications and equipment.
• Skill in organization, time management and prioritizing with the proven ability to have keen attention to detail and accuracy in performing work with adherence to strict deadlines.
• Skill in managing projects, including consultant selection, contract administration, project scheduling, budgeting, record keeping, presentations and risk management.
• Skill in negotiating and communicating, in person and writing, with the proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports and correspondence.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering and building plans, specifications, technical reports, calculations, and codes to determine compliance with applicable regulations and standards.
• Ability to maintain current knowledge, developments, and trends related to specific area of focus and/or assigned projects.
• Ability to provide problem-solving solutions to various situations.
• Ability to maintain and foster a culture of professionalism, adhere to departmental and City standards and specifications, and support a positive team environment.
• Ability