Work for the St. Paul District

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the world’s premier public engineering organization. We offers one of the best employment compensation packages around. We offer engaging, meaningful and flexible employment, as well as a wealth of opportunities to develop oneself both personally and professionally. We take pride in the fact that we are a fair and inclusive employer.

Working at USACE as a civilian employee means making a direct contribution to war fighters and their families, supporting U.S. overseas, developing technology and systems that save the lives of soldiers and civilians, providing disaster relief, and protecting and enhancing the environment and the national economy.

It’s an exciting time to work for USACE. We offer challenging professional, technical and administrative assignments in the U.S. and abroad—each building on a strong tradition of public service extending back more than 200 years.

USACE also offers education reimbursement, certificate programs, professional and leadership development as well as mentoring programs. We support and nurture the growth of our employees and provide the tools to ensure superior performance in all our missions. At USACE, your opportunities are limitless.

Why work for the St. Paul District?

  • Federal employee compensation packages average around $59.96 per hour worked. Private industry compensation packages average around $34.53 per hour worked.* The government’s compensation package includes a retirement pension, vacation time, accrued sick time, medical insurance choices, life insurance, and more.
  • The federal government offers a retirement package that includes a pension and highly competitive contribution savings program, called the Thrift Savings Program.
  • The federal government recognizes a need for work-life balance. After 3 years of employment, a federal employee earns 4 weeks of vacation and 2.5 weeks of sick leave annually. Up to 240 hours of vacation can be carried over into a new year. Sick leave can be accrued over a person’s career and unused time is added to an individual’s total number of years for retirement calculation.
  • We offer a flexible, family-friendly environment that allows employees to work with their supervisors and develop the right schedule for the individual needs and the organization. Ones schedule could include teleworking, maxi-flexible schedule and/or hours, and the ability to bank vacation time.

*Statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor, current as of December 2018, and the Corps’ resource management office.

  • We take pride in developing our employees. This agency offers a number of professional developmental opportunities throughout a person’s career to include leadership development; on-the-job and academic training; mentoring programs; scholarship opportunities; temporary developmental assignments; student loan repayment programs; and more.
  • We are a large organization that has a number of locations around the world and a wide variety of missions. There is room for movement, advancement and travel.
  • We employ experts in a number of fields. Employees have the opportunity to work with, learn from, and become an expert.
  • We build things that matter. We help communities solve water-related problems. We help communities respond and recover from disasters. We keep goods moving on the Mississippi, which, in turn, keeps the economy moving. We protect and restore the environment. We provide recreation opportunities on our public lands.
  • The Corps is an elite group of highly trained professionals with high morale. We are proud of our great reputation as the world’s water-resource problem solvers.
  • We are innovators, and we create and influence history. The St. Paul District boasts a number of the nation’s firsts to include building the first federal reservoir system, the first federal hydropower dam, the first road system in Yellowstone National Park, and the nation’s first nonstructural engineering project.
  • We value a work-life balance. If you work additional hours, even for travel, you will be compensated properly.
  • We value the opinions of our employees. Employees have a number of ways to influence the future of this agency, to include a suggestion program, surveys, and more.
  • We value a diverse and accommodating workforce. We practice fairness in our hiring processes. Our employees and our supervisors are trained in equal opportunity employment.
  • We maintain trained equal opportunity, sexual assault response coordinators, mediators, and more to ensure a professional environment.
  • We value esprit-de-corps and offer a number of opportunities for our employees to connect socially to include bowling, golf, and broomball. There are two employee-run organizations that plan events and look out for the well being of our employees.

Sample Civilian Occupations

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 0025 Park Ranger

As the nation’s largest Federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ more than 420 lake and river projects in 43 states provide more than 7,700 miles of land and water trail systems. Park rangers protect the nation’s natural recreation facilities and its visitors. Park Rangers provide support for the preservation of these natural resources by managing recreational grounds and educating visitors through environmental outreach programs. Park Ranger employees ensure the safety and enjoyment of USACE recreation facilities for visitors of all ages and help local students and citizens learn about the natural and man-made resources they manage.

 0401 Biologist

Biologists conduct surveys, studies, and assessments of various natural habitats and water resources. They ensure programs and environmental activities are in compliance with laws and regulatory programs, such as the Clean Water Act, the Rivers and Harbors Act, Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, etc. USACE Biologists throughout the United States conduct activities to preserve wildlife and aquatic habitats, monitor nuisance vegetation and invasive species, and act as environmental consultants.

 0408, Ecology

This series covers positions that involve primarily advisory, research, analytical, or other professional work in the science of ecology. Ecology utilizes a systems approach to study the interrelationships of organisms with each other, with their physical and chemical environment, and with society. Such relationships are considered primarily at the levels of individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. Ecologists analyze biological components and processes in the context of ecosystems including environmental factors, physical-chemical relationships, and social relationships. They use quantitative and systems analysis techniques to predict effects of planned or natural changes in ecosystems and to develop understanding of and solutions to ecological problems.


 

 0482, Fish Biology

This series covers positions that require professional knowledge and competence in the science of fishery biology to perform work: (1) developing, conserving, managing, and administering fishery resources; and (2) evaluating the impact of construction projects and other socioeconomic activities that present potential or actual adverse effects on fishery resources and their habitat. The work also requires an ability to determine, establish, and apply biological facts, principles, methods, techniques, and procedures that are necessary for the production and/or management of aquatic resources in their natural habitat and/or within facilities and systems that have been constructed for their benefit and public use.


 

 0486, Wildlife Biology

This series covers positions that require professional knowledge and competence in the science of wildlife biology to perform work involving: (1) the conservation, propagation, management, protection, and administration of wildlife species; or (2) the determination, establishment, and application of biological facts, principles, methods, techniques, and procedures necessary for the conservation and management of wildlife resources and habitats. The work requires professional knowledge of the distribution, habits, life histories, and classification of birds, mammals, and other forms of wildlife.


 

 0510 Accountant

Accountants provide advice, assistance, and perform review, analysis, and evaluation of existing and proposed accounting practices to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Financial management functions

 0560 Budget Analyst

Budget Analysts perform a variety of budgetary and administrative function in implementing the district's budgetary process, policies and procedures.

 0802 Engineering technician

Engineering technicians provide technical assistance and support for USACE civil, military, and environmental projects. Engineering technicians review project plans and specifications, forecast resource requirements, provide technical advice to inspectors, and gather pertinent technical data towards the completion of projects.

 0808 Architects

As the oldest and largest construction agency, the U.S. Corps of Engineers has designed and developed key historical structures throughout the United States. Major developments by USACE include the Washington Monument, The Lincoln and Jefferson Memorial, headquarters of The American Red Cross, the Pentagon and many other building projects. Architects oversee the design, development and review of drawings, manuals and specifications for various worldwide facilities. Architectural projects include housing facilities, dining facilities, child development centers, hospitals, safety and protection criteria, and historical preservation. 

 0809 Construction control technician/representatives

Construction control technicians inspect and monitor construction operations for compliance of contracts, scheduling, and quality assurance. These positions primarily review plans, materials and workmanship to ensure operations are executed in accordance with project specifications. Construction control technicians work in an inspector and representative capacity.

 0810 Civil Engineer

Civil engineers plan, design, construct, and maintain the nation’s water resources, Army installations, and numerous other Federal and local projects.  USACE civil engineering projects include the design and development of major highways, airfields, hospitals, laboratories, dams, levees, powerhouses, embankments, and various military installation facilities. 

 0817 Survey Technician

Survey technicians perform surveys on the layout and inspection of operations for civil building projects, natural disasters, and hydrographic and land based projects.  Survey technicians collect field data to prepare navigational charts and sketch maps.  Survey data collected is instrumental in the design and construction of major highways, waterways, facilities, and economical structures.

 0819 Environmental Engineer

As the nation’s environmental engineers, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages one of the largest federal environmental missions: restoring degraded ecosystems, constructing sustainable facilities, regulating waterways, managing natural resources, and cleaning up contaminated sites from past military activities. Environmental engineers conduct assessments of existing facilities and infrastructure, environment habitats, resources and natural water systems to develop ways of mitigating degradation to the environment.

 0830 Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers design and construct mechanical systems utilized for major industrial, environmental, and architectural structures.  They restore the environment, repair and construct new machinery, pumping, piping, hydraulic systems, gas lines, heating, ventilation, and water treatment facilities.  USACE mechanical engineers also find new energy solutions for the future.

 0850 Electrical Engineer

Electrical engineers design complex power systems utilized in major structures such as dams, signal circuits, electrical power installations, and power grids and systems. They also design electrical systems for office building, dining facilities, maintenance shops, and hospitals. Electrical engineers seek out innovative electrical solutions for generations in the Army and the Nation.

 1102 Contract Specialist

Contract specialists play an integral role in the formulation, acquisition, and execution of high value contracts for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects.  Contract specialists serve as decision makers responsible for the proposal, negotiation, and awarding of contracts with government partners.

 1170 Realty Specialist

Realty specialists acquire, manage, and dispose of property relating to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other Federal entities. Realty specialists oversee and perform global property negotiations with landowners to acquire and upgrade facilities; advise on cost and asset information for projects; and ensure transactions are executed in accordance with real estate policies and procedures. USACE realty programs include the Joint Facilities Recruiting Program, the Homeowners Assistance Program, BRAC acquisitions and disposal, and the Defense National Relocation Program.

 5426 Lock and Dam Operators

The U.S. Corps of Engineers owns and operates more than 600 dams located throughout the United States. Lock and Dam operators are responsible for the operation of navigation lock and dam equipment and machinery to allow river traffic to pass through the locks. The work of lock and dam operators is essential in allowing water to pass between different levels of elevation between bodies of water, and in order to maintain pool levels.

Full listing of federal occupation job series/categories can be found in the Office of Personnel Management's handbook.

Students & Recent Graduates

If you’re a current student or recent graduate, you may be eligible for federal internships and job opportunities through the Pathways and other student programs. The Pathways Program offers federal internship and employment opportunities for current students, recent graduates and those with an advanced degree.

There are three different paths available:

  • Internship Program
  • Recent Graduates Program
  • Presidential Management Fellows Program

Learn more

Salary Ranges

  • GS-5: $39,006 - $50,707
  • GS-7: $48,317 - $62,808
  • GS-9: $59,102 - $76,834
  • GS-11: $71,508 - $92,955
  • GS-12: $85,708 - $111,425
  • GS-13: $101,918 - $132,491

 

*Note: Above salary ranges are based on the 2022 General Schedule salary table for the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/.

Our People

Welcome to the St. Paul District

Human Resources (CPAC)

The St. Paul District Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (CPAC) provides human resources management advisory and assistance services necessary to recruit, compensate, train, develop, utilize and retain a qualified, talented, highly motivated and efficient workforce.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District
Civilian Personnel Advisory Center
332 Minnesota St., Suite E1500
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 290-5480

mvp.cpac@usace.army.mil