The position serves as a Project Engineer at an assigned Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System. This position performs project planning, produces designs, manages designs, manages construction, and provides construction administration for Minor Construction Projects, Non-Recurring Maintenance (NRM) Projects, Station Level Projects, and Leases, including all areas and aspects (architectural, electrical, life safety, mechanical, civil, structural, etc.).
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: 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: (1) 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. OR (2) 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 (3) 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: GS-12 Healthcare Engineer (Full Performance Level) Experience Requirement: Must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 12.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties: Planning & Design: Collaborates closely with the Contracting Officer in the design of capital projects; serves as the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) on the design of capital projects. The incumbent determines requirements, reconnaissance, location, and prepares designs, specifications and cost estimates. Work complexities require not only adaptation or modification of precedents but a versatile and innovative approach to solve problems where serious conflicts exist between management requirements and engineering principles. Evaluates design objectives, performs complex technical calculations, and identifies economical and efficient procedures for project design and performance considering all influences. Construction Management: Collaborates closely with Contracting Officer in the construction of capital projects: serves as the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) on the construction of capital projects. Plans specific objectives for the program, including required innovations and improvisations/ Prepares detailed cost estimates for use in obtaining project funding and bid evaluation. Reviews and evaluates shop drawings, samples and material certifications submitted by contractor for contract and performance requirements, recommending approval, rejection or receipt. Facility and Non-Recurring Maintenance: Collaborates closely with the Contracting Officer in the design and construction of non-recurring maintenance projects: serves as the Contracting Officer Representative. Provided guidance, development and coordination for the planning, design, and oversight of maintenance projects. Plans specific objectives for the maintenance project. Consults with contractor personnel to resolve difficult and complex unforeseen problems and latent conditions developing during maintenance. Professional Engineering/Architectural Advice: Serves as a subject matter expert in all aspects of engineering design and management. Provides professional advice to peers, subordinates or non-professional administrators or managers; including senior level management officials. Ensures the accuracy of the Capital Asset Inventory. Reviews or directs the review of plans, specifications, and analyses of design as submitted by subordinate engineers. Provided professional advice to improve such plans, specifications and analyses. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Physical Requirements: Work is performed under a variety of-conditions at construction sites (indoor, outdoor, dirty, dusty, greasy, hot, damp, etc.) and in an office or shop setting. Normal safety precautions apply with use of safety shoes and hard hats regularly, and special equipment occasionally. Incumbent will be required to visit a variety of hospital environments, including general medical and surgical, neuropsychiatry, nursing home care, and research. There is occasional exposure to high voltage, high noise levels, and the possibility of electrical shock, bums, cuts, and bruises.