Staff Engineer

Salary : $65,541.42 - $81,926.77 Annually
Location : Newton, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 02398
Department: Utilities and Engineering
Opening Date: 09/25/2026


New as of 01/01/2026:

Your well-being matters from the start - benefited new hires are eligible for up to 40 hours of advanced annual leave and 40 hours of advanced sick leave.

Position Description
Catawba County is recruiting a highly self-motivated engineer for an entry-level Staff Engineer position designed to introduce the individual to the field of civil and environmental engineering, particularly in solid waste, stormwater, water and wastewater, infrastructure, and air quality. The Staff Engineer will work in a team environment and report directly to the Engineering Supervisor. This collaborative approach will help the new graduate become familiar with basic concepts, including fieldwork and testing, erosion and sedimentation control inspections and plan review, modeling, and engineering reporting.

Expected hiring range is $65,541.42 - $81,926.77 based on qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Project construction oversight (landfill, and/or water/sewer)
• Perform scheduled field inspections for sedimentation and erosion control small site permits
• Record inspection results from the field into the SmartGov or similar software system
• Provide communication and guidance to owners/contractors as needed for compliance
• Perform field work associated with Landfill State permitting compliance
• System Modeling of water and sewer infrastructure
• Prepare technical memoranda, electronic deliverables, and/or reports
• Evaluate concrete and street paving conditions
• Calculate material quantities and generate cost estimates

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a specifically related field

Additional Requirements

• Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certification or ability to obtain during probationary period
• Valid driver's license with a safe driving record (Driving is an essential function of this position)
• Understanding of construction means, methods, and best practices
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate with the public and other internal and external professionals in a tactful, positive way
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in applying standards
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• This position is considered light work; ability to lift up to 20 pounds on a regular basis; sitting most of the time with ability to walk during onsite inspections/investigations.

Preferences:

• Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certification

• Certified Professional in Erosion and Sedimentation Control (CPESC)

As of 7/1/2025:
You will find that Catawba County has one of the best benefits packages around. Our Human Resources staff are dedicated to keeping in touch with trends in benefits on both a local and national level, listening to employees' suggestions regarding benefits, and continually reviewing to ensure our benefits package is of good quality and meets the needs of both our employees and our organization.
Available benefits include:

Health Care

• Health: For a small bi-weekly premium, employees may choose between a traditional (co-pay) health plan and a high deductible health plan coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), or family.
• Dental Insurance: At no cost to full-time employees, the County covers preventive, routine, and non-routine care. Coverage for the same benefits may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), and family. In addition, a $2,000 benefit toward orthodontia coverage is provided for children up to age 19.
• Vision Care: Coverage is available, at group rates, for employee and dependents,with 2 plan options to choose from.
• Supplemental critical care and accident insurance plans: These optional coverage plans are available at a nominal cost.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax accounts that can be used to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses.

Employee Wellness

• Employee Health Clinic (EHC): An employee medical clinic, available to all County employees, which operates 40 hours a week. Services provided include acute care, first aid, evaluation and care for workers' compensation injuries, pre-employment screenings, health education, and behavioral health referrals. Services are offered both in person and through telehealth. Acute care is available to employee's children ages 3-17, regardless of health insurance coverage, and for employee's adult children (ages 18-26) or employee's spouse if covered on the county's health insurance.
• Wellness: The County recognizes the importance of our health and well-being. We maintain a very proactive and effective Wellness Program, including reimbursement and discounts for gym membership, incentives for physical activity, on-site nutrition counseling, free exercise opportunities, wellness education, and more.
• Employee Assistance Program: Counseling services are available to all County employees and immediate family members in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting (in-person or virtually). The County provides coverage for the first six visits.

Work Life Balance

• Annual Leave: Full-time employees earn from 10-24 days annually based on years of service. Service credit from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
  • To help new employees settle in, up to 40 hours of annual leave is advanced upon hire, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
• Sick Leave: Full-time employees earn one day (8 hours) of sick leave per month. Sick leave from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
  • New hires are advanced up to 40 hours of sick leave, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
• Holiday Leave: Throughout the year, 11 days of paid leave are provided in recognition of holidays.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Time off for activities that support our local schools.
• Continuing educational assistance.
• Discount tickets to recreational venues.
• Employee appreciation days/activities.
• Tax-free flexible spending account to pay for dependent care.

Financial Security

• Local Governmental Employees Retirement System: For employees assigned to work 20 hours per week or more in a benefitted position, participation in this program is automatic. Employees contribute 6% of their salary, which is tax-deferred. After (5) years of creditable service, you become fully vested in the retirement system. Employees may also take advantage of individual and group retirement counseling through the Human Resources department.
• 401K: The County provides a 2% contribution plus an additional 1% match (up to 3% total contribution by the County). Our sworn law enforcement officers receive a flat 5% contribution to their 401k.
• Other Tax Deferred Programs: Other tax-sheltering programs are available through IRS Code 125 (Cafeteria Plan), and a 457 supplemental retirement plan (Deferred Compensation).
• Longevity Pay: After 5 years of creditable service, employees receive an annual longevity payment that is paid every year thereafter. This lump sum payment rewards employees for their length of service to Catawba County. The amount is based on years of service.
• Life Insurance: Death benefit equal to one times the employee's annual salary, with a minimum coverage amount of $25,000. Optional supplemental life insurance coverage is also available for both employee and dependents through payroll deduction at group rates.
• Short Term Disability: Available at no cost to employees, benefits are available after a 55-day waiting period.
• Long Term Disability: Available through payroll deduction at group rates.
• Eligibility for membership and financial services at State Employees Credit Union (SECU)/Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).

01


What was your concentration of study at school, and how do you think those classes have prepared you for a position like this?
02


What is your status with the FE exam?
03


Do you have experience or coursework related to any of the following areas? (Check all that apply)

• Solid waste management
• Stormwater management
• Water and wastewater infrastructure
• Erosion and sedimentation control
• Construction oversight or site inspections
• Environmental permitting or compliance
• None of the above

Required Question