Purpose of Position 

The Utility Civil Engineer provides civil and environmental engineering expertise to support the planning, permitting, and design of utility infrastructure. This position works closely with Engineering, Operations, and Real Estate teams to ensure Inland Power’s electric distribution projects are developed and executed in compliance with applicable environmental regulations, permitting requirements, and land use standards. 

The position supports the cooperative’s mission by enhancing constructability, streamlining permitting processes, addressing increased regulatory scrutiny, and adapting to the region’s accelerating growth. 

Core Competencies 

1. Quality Work: Produce thorough, high-quality work with minimal errors. Seek feedback, make corrections as needed. Identify problems and solve them.  Strive to improve processes. Work collaboratively with co-workers to implement systematic changes. 
2. Productivity: Complete assigned work in a timely fashion. Utilize slow periods productively. Produce amount and volume at expected speed. 
3. Technical Skills/Job Knowledge: Demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of technical skills in area of expertise, technology, products, and/or processes involved. Duly perform assigned duties. Keep current on federal, state and local regulatory changes and be competent with all technology necessary to perform job. 
4. Communication: Clearly convey oral and written communication. Keep others informed of activities and problems in timely manner. Listen well; respond appropriately and respectfully. 
5. Teamwork/Ability to Work with Others: Demonstrate the ability to work in a positive manner with co-workers and/or members with differing backgrounds, opinions, capabilities, etc. Willingly share skills, competencies, and knowledge with others. Establish and maintain strong, effective working relationships. Contribute effectively to group efforts. Promote harmony; agree to disagree without damaging relationships. 
6. Accountability: Maintain excellent attendance and provide additional assistance after normal working hours when needed. Be reliable, prepared and accept responsibility for work and actions. 
7.  Integrity: Demonstrate honesty, high ethical standards, and respect for all co-workers and membership. 
8.  Professionalism: Address internal and external members with courtesy and respect. Dress in work attire appropriate to the position. Communicate business information in a timely fashion, using means of communication appropriate to the situation. 
9.  Support of Cooperative Goals: Support cooperative goals and adhere to all policies and procedures.  Contribute effectively in support of the cooperative. 
10.  Problem-Solving: Use sound logic and methodology to solve problems. Explore multiple sources for answers, as required. Be able to identify hidden problems and propose solutions. 

Job Responsibilities 

1. Lead and execute small-scale civil design projects related to utility infrastructure, including site development, grading, drainage, and structural components.
2. Prepare and manage contracts for external civil engineering consultants and construction contractors on larger-scale projects, ensuring alignment with project goals, regulatory requirements, and company standards. 
3. Support engineering project development by identifying and addressing civil, environmental, and permitting concerns during project scoping and design. 
4. Prepare and review permit applications, environmental impact documents, erosion control plans, and traffic management plans as required for distribution line & substation construction and upgrades. 
5. Serve as the primary technical liaison with local agencies (e.g., Spokane County) regarding permitting, land use, wetlands management, erosion control, and utility infrastructure compliance. 
6. Provide guidance on site feasibility, constructability, drainage, access roads, grading, and other civil design considerations for utility projects. 
7. Perform field assessments to support permitting, site access planning, wetland avoidance, and right-of-way needs. 
8. Collaborate with Real Estate Specialists to assist in easement acquisition, plat review, and ROW-related research from a civil engineering perspective. 
9. Assist in identifying and mitigating environmental and regulatory risks associated with electric utility infrastructure. 
10. Interpret survey data, GIS layers, and topographic maps to assist with project layout and documentation. 
11. Provide technical support and documentation required for agency coordination, environmental compliance, and construction readiness. 
12. Remain current with changes in relevant federal, state, and local regulations impacting electric utility construction. 
13. Contribute to internal process improvements related to permitting, environmental impact mitigation, and engineering documentation. 
14. Participate in multi-disciplinary teams supporting capital project execution and long-range utility planning. 
15. Perform other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications & Job Requirements 

Education/Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Environmental Engineering, or closely related field is required. 
• Three or more years of progressive engineering experience in civil, environmental, municipal, or utility infrastructure projects. 
• Experience working with public agencies or jurisdictions on permitting or development review processes preferred. 
• Experience in electric utility industry or infrastructure development highly desirable. 

Certifications: 

• Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is required or ability to complete within two years from date of hire or as negotiated with supervisor 
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure in Washington or Idaho preferred 

Knowledge and Skills: 

• Strong understanding of civil and environmental principles as applied to utility design and permitting. 
• Knowledge of permitting processes including SEPA, wetlands delineation, erosion control, stormwater management, and traffic control. 
• Familiarity with Spokane County and Eastern Washington permitting and environmental review processes. 
• Proficient in reading and interpreting plans, surveys, maps, legal descriptions, and construction drawings. 
• Effective communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders. 
• Proficiency in AutoCAD or equivalent CAD software. 
• Proficiency in other standard engineering and GIS software tools. 

 Mental Demands/Working Conditions: 

• Ability to manage multiple projects with shifting priorities. 
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a dynamic regulatory and growth environment. 
• Frequent travel within the service territory, including field visits to project locations. 
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record. 

The Utility Civil Engineer shall have full authority to carry out these duties and responsibilities in conformity with established policies and procedures and shall utilize time in such a way as to fulfill the objectives of this position and the cooperative. 

Physical Demands & Working Conditions 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.  
2. The employee frequently is required to walk, or stand.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb or balance.  
3. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.  
4. Other specific abilities required are ability to talk using the telephone and hear within normal range.   

APPLICATION PROCESS 

If your credentials and interest match this job, please send your completed?application, cover letter and resume to: hr@inlandpower.com or mail them to, Inland Power & Light Company, 10110 W. Hallett Rd., Spokane WA 99224-7435, Attn: Human Resources. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ADA 
Inland Power & Light is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled). We value diversity at all levels of the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected classifications as defined by law. 

EEO Law Posters can be found on the main Careers (www.inlandpower.com/careers) page in English and Spanish. 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION 

Inland Power will provide reasonable accommodation to assist a qualified person with a disability in the job application, interview process and to perform the essential functions of the job whenever possible. Please contact the HR department at Inland Power if you would like assistance. 

DISCLAIMER 
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. This should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload. 

Inland Power & Light will not be offering any work visa sponsorship for this role. 

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION 

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-I.35(c) 

BENEFITS 

Medical, vision, dental, 401(k), HSA/HRA, retirement plan, PTO, EAP, paid holidays, and disability insurance programs. 

About Inland Power & Light Company

About Inland Power & Light Inland Power and Light is a nonprofit electric cooperative providing affordable, safe and reliable electricity to over 40,000 member-owners in 13 counties throughout eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Founded in 1937, Inland Power is the largest electric cooperative in Washington. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT Inland Power and Light is committed to equal employment opportunity for all. Just as our commitment to quality motivates us to go the extra mile, we cooperate with the civil rights agencies in government in an effort to ensure equal opportunity in employment through an Affirmative Action Plan. To assure full implementation of this equal employment policy, we will take steps to assure that persons are recruited, hired, assigned and promoted without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age, disability or any other classification protected by nondiscrimination law.

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