Utility Engineer

Utility Engineer Salary Depends on Qualifications Location: Missoula, Montana Job Type: Regular, Full-Time Job Number: 00650 Department: Public Works & Mobility Division PWM-Engineering Opening Date: 02/10/2026

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.

Priority screening of applications will begin on Thursday, March 5, 2026. This position will remain open until filled.

To Apply All applicants must submit a City of Missoula application AND a Cover Letter explaining your interest in this position and detailing how your experience and education meet the qualifications. Failure to attach the cover letter will result in your application being incomplete, and therefore, not reviewed by the hiring manager. Resumes will not be reviewed.

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

• Engineer in Training: $31.12 - $42.66/hour
• Engineer: $42.31 - $49.20/hour
• Senior Engineer: $45.49 - $52.90/hour

Full Pay Range Each position also has a full wage range that reflects potential growth over time, including annual increases for longevity and cost of living:

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

Essential Functions

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.

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.

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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

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.
• 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.

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.

Senior Engineer

• 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, 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 provide engineering expertise across multiple areas and projects, including Development Review, Transportation, and Utilities.

Working Conditions Work environment may involve exposure to unavoidable weather conditions, occupational hazards, construction hazards, and physical risks, including access to project sites, uneven terrain, loud noises, and working in confined spaces, open trenches, heights up to 45 feet, or high traffic areas, which require following basic safety precautions.

Qualifications and Additional Application Materials Must have the following by time of hire:

• Engineer-in-Training Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Engineering Technology, or another related field. (MCA 37-67-324)
• Must be a Registered Engineer Intern in the State of Montana and have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
• 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 Bachelor's degree in engineering, civil engineering, or another relevant field. (MCA 37-67-323) Must have a Professional Engineer certification from the state of Montana or the ability to obtain certification within six (6) months of hire. Must have a valid Montana driver's license with a verified acceptable driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire.

Senior Engineer Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Engineering Technology, or another related field and four (4) years of experience as a Professional Engineer. Must have a Professional Engineering License from the State of Montana, or the ability to obtain within six (6)