Description

Posting Details

Posting Number

S15260P

Working Title

Private Lands Engineer - IRIS (Kentucky)

Department

ENGR-Resilient Infrast Systems

About the University of Georgia

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department

The College of Engineering at the University of Georgia is one of the fastest growing programs at UGA and one of the fastest growing public colleges of engineering in the nation. Since our founding in 2012, enrollment in the College of Engineering has grown to over 2,400 students. Students and faculty alike are attracted to our setting in a comprehensive, land-grant, research institution that's consistently ranked among the 20 best public universities in the nation. Our rapidly expanding engineering program focuses on opportunities for learning, discovery and innovation at the confluence of disciplines.

IRIS is a group of researchers from over a dozen disciplines at the University of Georgia, including engineering, ecology, landscape architecture, geography, anthropology, economics, and policy and law. We work toward a more equitable, resilient future by discovering innovative ways to combine natural and conventional infrastructure. IRIS expands the definition of infrastructure to include natural systems, including the forests that purify our air and drinking water, barrier islands and natural shorelines that protect our communities from storms, and marshes that store carbon and buffer against erosion.

College/Unit/Department website

https://iris.uga.edu/

Posting Type

External

Retirement Plan

TRS or ORP

Employment Type

Employee

Benefits Eligibility

Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time

Full Time

Work Schedule

Additional Schedule Information

This is a full time position at 40 hours per week.

Advertised Salary

$80,000-$90,000 based on experience/credentials

Posting Date

06/08/2026

Open until filled

Yes

Closing Date

Proposed Starting Date

08/01/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

In addition to your UGAjobs application, please include the following documents:

• resume/cv
• cover letter
• 3 professional references with contact information

Location of Vacancy

Outside Georgia

EEO Policy Statement

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. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Position Information

Classification Title

Research Engineer-Env III

FLSA

Exempt

FTE

1.0

Minimum Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Be a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Kentucky or demonstrate sufficient experience and education to obtain licensure.

Position Summary

The University of Georgia ( UGA ) is seeking applications for a Private Lands Engineer (Water Resources) to support implementation of the Working Lands for Wildlife ( WLFW ) Aquatics Connectivity Framework. This project is a collaboration between UGA and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service ( NRCS ) WLFW program. This position will serve as a key implementation lead and primary point of contact for the Regional WLFW Southern Waters Framework in Kentucky, will be responsible for developing and implementing multi agency and NRCS workshops within the state, will engage in regional coordination aligned with broader program goals, and will serve as a key engineering resource for Kentucky NRCS state leadership.

Through the Farm Bill, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners/managers who voluntarily undertake conservation practices on working lands. WLFW systematically targets conservation efforts to enhance wildlife habitat on agricultural landscapes while improving agricultural and forest productivity. Hellbenders face many threats from conventional agricultural practices that lead to loss of forested riparian habitat and degraded water quality from sedimentation and pollutants.

This high-level Staff position will be under the Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems ( IRIS ), at the College of Engineering's School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural, and Mechanical Engineering ( ECAM ). The successful incumbent(s) will join a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists and designers at the University of Georgia who are engaged in collaborations between IRIS and the USDA , other universities, and private sector partners. These projects are highly specialized due to the incorporation of natural infrastructure systems and nature-based solutions.

The successful incumbent will collaborate in an interdisciplinary environment and will lead, conceptualize and implement high-quality and high-impact engineering research and/or design projects through extensive knowledge and experience of environmental/civil engineering (or related discipline) for successful project delivery.

A successful applicant must be a licensed Professional Engineer in Kentucky or demonstrate sufficient experience and education to obtain licensure.

This position will be based out of Kentucky, in the Elizabethtown area. Daily duties will be conducted remotely, in the NRCS field office, and on project sites throughout the area.

This is a grant-funded position. Continuation of employment is contingent upon the continuation of funding sources.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

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

Physical Demands

• Standard for an office environment.
• Will drive to project sites regionally.
• Frequent travel within the region
• Outdoor work in variable terrain and weather conditions
• This position requires frequent field work involving moderate hiking in all seasons and weather conditions.
• Successful candidates should expect to work occasional evenings and weekends to accommodate the schedules of private landowners as necessary and appropriate.

Is driving a responsibility of this position?

Yes

Is this a Position of Trust?

No

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?

No

Does this position require a P-Card?

No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?

No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?

No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)

No

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities

Engineering Design and Project Development

• Lead the design of conservation engineering projects on private lands in coordination with NRCS field offices. Responsibilities include overseeing and conducting engineering analyses (hydrologic and hydraulic modeling), developing design plans and specifications, and producing construction-ready documents using AutoDesk Civil 3D, HEC - RAS , and other applicable software. Projects may include streambank stabilization, erosion control, livestock and vehicular stream crossings, culvert replacement for aquatic organism passage, and dam removal.
• Will lead the production of engineering designs and successfully construct projects in dynamic aquatic systems (e.g., streambank stabilization, erosion control, livestock and vehicular stream crossing, culvert replacement, dam removal).

• This position will oversee and lead integrating engineering designs into NRCS conservation planning processes; coordinating with planners, biologists, and landowners to evaluate alternatives; and ensuring compliance with NRCS standards, specifications, and job approval authority requirements.

Percentage of time

45

Duties/Responsibilities

Field Surveys, Data Collection, and Site Assessment

• Lead and conduct fieldwork, overseeing and providing high-level coordination of project design, implementation, and evaluation. This includes taking lead on performing topographic and channel surveys using Total Station or similar equipment; collecting site data (e.g., channel geometry, flow characteristics, substrate conditions); and documenting existing conditions to inform design development.

• Leadership and oversight on field responsibilities which requires frequent travel, outdoor work in variable terrain and weather conditions, and direct interaction with landowners and NRCS staff.

Percentage of time

25

Duties/Responsibilities

Construction Support and Implementation Oversight

• Oversee and lead project implementation by providing technical oversight during construction, including layout and staking, troubleshooting field conditions, and verifying that practices are installed according to design intent and NRCS requirements. Will lead this charge and serve as the subject matter expert in that region.

• Will serve as lead with project stakeholders, contractors and NRCS staff to ensure successful project delivery. Will oversee and ensure successful completion of construction and implementation deliverables, serving as the Regional lead.

Percentage of time

15

Duties/Responsibilities

Technical Assistance, Coordination, and Program Oversight

• Oversee technical expertise and coordination support to NRCS staff, interdisciplinary team members, and project partners. This includes contributing engineering expertise to conservation planning discussions, leading practice selection and feasibility evaluations, and ensuring communication and coordination with landowners.

• Collaborate and own shared processes with NRCS personnel and essential partners to ensure alignment with program priorities, ensuring compliance with project tracking and documentation, and overseeing overall program delivery across priority watersheds.

Percentage of time

15

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact

Contact Details

For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact Name

Virginia Bacon-Talati

Recruitment Contact Email

VBTalati@uga.edu

Recruitment Contact Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you have a valid Driver's license?
   • YES
   • NO

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter
3. List of References with Contact Information

Optional Documents