Serves as a Project Engineer and supports a wide range of facility-wide specialty programs and projects, including those under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, & Liability Act (CERCLA) program & other compliance regulations (e.g. Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA)). Performs project planning, produces designs, manages designs, manages construction, & provides construction administration at an assigned medical center & associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics.
Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy English Language Proficiency: Healthcare Engineer candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or Architecture. To be acceptable, the curriculum must be from a school with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Engineering Accreditation Commission (excludes engineering technology) or National Council of Architectural Registration Boards curriculum. Examples of acceptable engineering and architectural degrees include, but are not limited to: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture and Architectural Engineering. Titles may vary from educational institutions and change over time OR Evidence of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination with a bachelor's degree. Evidence can be in the form of an Engineering in Training certificate issued from any State, the District of Columbia, Guam or Puerto Rico, or test results from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) identifying a passing score OR Evidence of current professional registration or licensure as a Professional Engineer or Architect. Evidence of current professional registration or licensure can be from any State, the District of Columbia, Guam or Puerto Rico May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria) Grade Determinations: Healthcare Engineer, GS-07: Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements Healthcare Engineer, GS-09: Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the following: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade of GS7 OR Master of Engineering degree or Master of Architecture degree or Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field of study as outlined in the basic education above OR Bachelor's degree as outlined in the basic education above plus two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the core competencies for GS-09 level assignment Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts and practices of the engineering profession Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines and standards to make recommendations to assure compliance with healthcare facility programs Ability to understand the operational professional engineering needs of clinical services in the healthcare system Ability to prepare material on current technical topics and trends for presentation to other technical staff and mid-level hospital management and to keep abreast of changes in engineering technology related to a healthcare facility Healthcare Engineer, GS-11: Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the following: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Engineering or a related field of engineering as outlined in the basic education above OR Master of Engineering degree, Master of Architecture degree, Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field of study as outlined in the basic education above plus 1 full year of progressively higher ­level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the KSAs for GS-11 level assignment OR Bachelor's degree as outlined in the basic education above plus 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the KSAs for GS-11 level assignment. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): In addition to the experience/education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of either mechanical, electrical, structural, civil or other engineering/architectural principles, practices and their applications in the healthcare environment Knowledge of basic project management principles as applied to the healthcare setting Ability to apply healthcare engineering related standards, codes, policies and regulations, inclusive of, state and local codes Ability to communicate effective orally and in writing with internal and external customers with tact and diplomacy Ability to develop material for clinical or administrative staff that addresses the principles and application of engineering technology and/or theory used in healthcare Ability to advise staff on emerging engineering technology related to a healthcare facility, while keeping abreast of changes in such technology and utilizing the information to solve healthcare facility engineering challenges Healthcare Engineer, GS-12: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade of GS11 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to meeting the experience requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, structural, civil and other engineering/architectural principles, practices and their applications in the healthcare environment Knowledge of healthcare industry standards and related regulatory agency and organization (including, but not limited to The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), etc.) regulations, requirements, guides, policies, procedures, directives, standards and general medical program requirements as they relate to healthcare engineering Knowledge of construction standards, methods, practices and techniques, materials and equipment to determine compliance with engineering regulations and standards Skill in researching and analyzing information, conditions, human factors and projections to make sound engineering and business recommendations and decisions to proactively identify problems and develop innovative solutions within the context of applicable rules, regulations and procedures Ability to plan and execute complex, multi-faceted projects and inspections while prioritizing resources against approved scopes of work, contract documents and budgets Ability to organize and lead multi-disciplinary task forces with members from different departments and divisions, as well as design and construction firms Preferred Experience: Engineer in Training certification. Experience or course work in the field of groundwater remediation and environmental compliance. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS7 to GS12. Physical Requirements: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, training rooms, & libraries. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, & ventilated. The incumbent must also work outdoors in all types of weather. There may be occasional exposure to moderate risks or discomforts in storage areas or hazardous waste sites. The work is primarily sedentary, although some physical effort may be required, e.g., walking, standing, climbing ladders, stooping, kneeling, & carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle.
The position supports and advances patient care by applying engineering and managerial skills to healthcare engineering as demonstrated by the following major responsibilities: Conducts capital asset and infrastructure planning and design for the medical facility spanning initial strategic planning, concept development, design, required permit modifications, construction, and effective implementation of complex buildings, utilities, and medical support systems and remediation systems. Manages healthcare engineering project design and administers construction in accordance with VA policies and procedures, VA Design Guides, VA Design Manuals, VA Master Specifications and related environmental regulations and industry codes and standards. Performs healthcare engineering project construction management and post project activities while ensuring continuity of building and utility services for medical facility operations. Assists in the provision of a continuing education program for clinical staff and maintenance personnel addressing the principles and application of building and utility systems in the delivery of health care. This includes a curriculum that addresses the safe and effective use of medical gases, emergency power, ventilation, and other healthcare infrastructure related technology. This requires skill to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, with a wide variety of individuals, including technical and professional clinical staff, to communicate technical information. Assists in development and implementation of the environment of care program that meets current Joint Commission, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), College of American Pathologists (CAP), NFPA, and VA requirements, particularly as it relates to construction safety and infection control. This position requires a valid driver's license as this position requires occasional travel to local Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) through the use of a government vehicle. Work Schedule: 8AM to 4:30PM Monday-Friday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: May be available on an ad-hoc basis as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60821-A, 60822-A, 60823-A, 60824-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized