Healthcare Engineer - Technical Career Field Trainee

Summary This position performs project planning, produces designs, manages designs, manages construction, and provides construction administration for Minor Construction Projects, Station Level Projects, and Leases, including all areas and aspects at an assigned medical center and Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC)'s. ***Once the two year program is completed, there will be potential for a transfer to a position with a promotion potential of GS-12*** Duties The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. This is a developmental position leading to a GS-09, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. Major duties include but are not limited to: Provides professional advice to peers, subordinates or non-professional administrators or managers. Provides professional advisory services to managers and administrators. Advice covers complex situations that require adaptation or modification of precedents typical of the work environment. Explores background information (literature, reports, and discussions with others having specialized knowledge of the issue) and consults with supervisor in evaluating information and in presenting the information in an effective manner. Performs scheduling and layout of operations, and inspection and surveillance of materials, methods, and equipment used in construction. Uses originality to develop and modify methods, techniques, and procedures, in discerning new patterns of phenomena, and in correlating and substantiating already developed hypotheses. Develops competitive bidding cost estimates for a variety of projects of multiple-use nature, or projects in different geographic locations thus presenting different physical or cultural considerations. Investigates a variety of problems experienced in construction requiring modification in the original design. Assures quality control and adequacy of contractor's operations and confers with contractor to obtain corrective action. Reviews contractor's progress charts and conducts field surveys to verify fulfillment of obligations. Administers payments to the contractor. Provides guidance, development and coordination for the planning, design, and oversight of maintenance projects. Develops competitive bidding cost estimates for a variety of maintenance projects of multiple-use nature, or projects in different geographic locations thus presenting different physical or cultural considerations. Administers payments to the contractor. Oversees, directs, or administers the development, production, and or maintenance of materials, components, equipment, or other systems or subsystems. Conducts and/or provides professional advisory services pertaining to the observation, examination, measurement, analysis, mapping and description of physical and cultural features and phenomena. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday. Hours will be determined by the needs of Facilities Management leadership Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55052A and 55053A Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications 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 &written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Foreign Education: To be creditable, engineering, architecture or related education completed outside the U.S. must be submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials &such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to a Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph 3.b. of this appendix. 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 & Technology, Engineering Accreditation Commission (excludes engineering technology) OR National Council of Architectural Registration Boards curriculum. Examples of acceptable engineering &architectural degrees include, but are not limited to: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture &Architectural Engineering. Titles may vary from educational institutions & 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 & 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 Grandfathering Provision. All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date 03/18/2022 of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all the qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education that is part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-07 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. 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 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 paragraph 3.b.(1) OR Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1) 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 & Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts & practices of the engineering profession. (b) Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines & standards to make recommendations to assure compliance with healthcare facility programs. (c) Ability to understand the operational professional engineering needs of clinical services in the healthcare system. (d) Ability to prepare material on current technical topics & trends for presentation to other technical staff & mid-level hospital management & to keep abreast of changes in engineering technology related to a healthcare facility. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional information Physical Requirements: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, training rooms, and libraries. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and 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, and carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.