Bureau of Reclamation

The Bureau of Reclamation is the Interior Department bureau that manages water in the 17 western states. It built and still operates many of the West’s largest dams, reservoirs, canals and hydroelectric plants, including Hoover Dam and Grand Coulee Dam, and it delivers irrigation water to farms and municipal water to cities while generating hydropower for the western grid. Its workforce is heavily technical, with engineers, hydrologists and scientists spread across regional offices and field facilities rather than concentrated in Washington.

Recent listings have included civil engineers and supervisory civil engineers, electrical and mechanical engineers, an interdisciplinary engineering supervisor, hydrologists, budget analysts, an engineering technician, an archeologist, a natural resource specialist, a program analyst, a hazardous-materials physical scientist posted under direct hiring authority, and a security guard.

Applying tip: engineering positions in the 0800 series carry a professional education requirement, so check that your degree or licensure satisfies the announcement before you spend time on the application. Reclamation’s jobs are tied to specific projects and watersheds, so expect duty stations across the West. Our engineering guide explains how federal engineering announcements are structured.