Engineering Tech (Draft)

The incumbent performs a variety of duties including Contract Officer Representative for complex construction projects of various disciplines in an extremely complex medical facility. The duties require the application of professional knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of engineering concerned in the practical working knowledge of heating and air conditioning, structural, and building performance of the work assignments. The Engineering Tech (Draft) serves as the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for all construction projects and leases as assigned. They are required to possess and maintain relevant VA certifications as a condition of employment, i.e. COR, FAC-FEC, etc. Projects include architectural remodeling, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical system upgrades or replacements, hazardous material abatement, installation of complex systems such as elevators and security/access control systems, and new construction of buildings, structures, and other infrastructure. Prepares and oversees the production of plans, specifications, estimates, and schedules for complex projects. Reviews the needs of the medical center and makes recommendations as to the scope of the work (SOW). Duties Include: Plan, develop and oversee complex projects involving highly sophisticated medical equipment installation requiring methods and procedures not usually found in written procedures. Develop and draw preliminary sketches, plot utility plans, maps, architectural plans, electrical schematics, electrical circuit plans, plumbing schematics, plumbing plans (piping layout), heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system layouts, etc. with an optimal level of drafting techniques and use of the CAD system. Coordinates all assigned projects, including at times leases, from conception through completion. Review designs for technical soundness and inspecting all work completed by contractors and VAMC staff to ensure compliance. Responsible for resolving problems with the contractors should they arise. They maintain and update JAHVA record drawings as required. Prepares project documents for submission to the VISN and VACO requesting authorization and funding. Serves as a project team leader in planning and coordinating projects with facility services and staff, consultants, and contractors. Administers architectural/engineering (A/E) design contracts to ensure A/E conformance to project scope and design criteria, while ensuring accuracy. Plans for minimizing disruption to healthcare operations due to construction projects. Evaluates various alternatives and weighs cost versus time versus impacts to ongoing operations to select best alternatives Administers construction contracts for compliance with project documents and other applicable standards, evaluates submittals, and processes payment applications and invoices within the required time frames. Prepares reports required for VISN, VACO, and NCA tracking of project progress and funding allocation. Inspects construction progress on a regular basis to ensure compliance with drawings, specifications, schedule, and all applicable codes. Identifies deviations from contract documents and ensures proper corrective action is taken by the contractor in a timely manner. Ensures schedule milestones are met during design and construction project execution. Ensures all closeout documentation is received and filed. Conducts the final inspection(s) of the project area with JAHVA staff, NE, and contractor, ensuing completion of all items within the construction scope. Generates punch lists as necessary and tracks completion of all items noted as incomplete or requiring correction. Upon completion of punch list items, accepts the work on behalf of the government. Develops new specifications from templates provided on the Technical Information Library (TIL) as needed for in-house design projects. Performs other duties as assigned related to project management. Work Schedule: Monday • Friday 8:00 am • 4:30 pm Position Description/PD#: Engineering Tech (Draft)/PD04363A Physical Requirements: Most of the work is performed indoors in a well-lit, temperature and sound controlled office setting. However, incumbent may be exposed to the hazards of weather, dirt, dust etc. associated with construction settings while making "on-site" inspections of assigned projects. Incumbent must be physically able to climb, crawl, walk, stoop, sit and stand to perform assigned duties. Incumbent is also expected to comply with all safety codes and other practices described in the Engineering and Medical Center Safety Manuals. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/02/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS 11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS 09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Certification: Engineering technicians may be certified by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies, an organization sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Certification by the Institute will be helpful as a measure of the technician's quality of experience. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: (for positions at GS-4 or equivalent and above): You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS 09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Examples of qualifying specialized experience include technical work in: Serves as technical resource person to internal staff & other services Makes systems decisions & performs cost/benefits analysis of engineering firms' proposals Provides expert guidance & directs the work of consulting architectural, engineering & environmental firms Reviews drawings of architectural, engineering, & environmental firms for accuracy, proper function, & workability Writes the SOW & assists in developing Architect/Engineer contracts & develops time frame for submissions to meet project schedules Reviews mechanical, electrical & structural submittals to ensure compliance Inspects work progress during construction phase, resolves design errors, evaluates problems & applies sound engineering judgment Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Most of the work is performed indoors in a well-lit, temperature and sound controlled office setting. However, incumbent may be exposed to the hazards of weather, dirt, dust etc. associated with construction settings while making "on-site" inspections of assigned projects. Incumbent must be physically able to climb, crawl, walk, stoop, sit and stand to perform assigned duties. Incumbent is also expected to comply with all safety codes and other practices described in the Engineering and Medical Center Safety Manuals. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 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 probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. There is no educational substitution at this grade level.