Engineering Technician

Full Job Description

This position is located within the Facility Support Services (FSS) Engineering Department at the El Paso VA Clinic, El Paso, TX.

You will provide direction and review of professional and technical programs; professional engineering work in several disciplines, such as civil, electrical, mechanical, biomedical, environmental, and safety engineering.

Basic Requirement (Individual Occupational Requirements) - This series covers technical positions supervising, leading, or performing work involving applying a practical knowledge of the: methods and techniques of engineering or architecture; and construction, application, properties, operations, and limitations of engineering systems, processes, structures, machinery, devices, and materials.

You must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-8) in the Federal Service, that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of an Engineering Technician and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience include technical work in: drafting, surveying construction estimating, physical science, mathematics, aerospace, architecture, chemicals, electrical or mechanical systems, mining, petroleum, or nuclear systems.

Experience in a trade or craft may be credited as specialized experience when the work provided intensive knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents.

Examples are trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities such as: Planner and estimator who analyzed designs for production purposes.

Instrument maker or model maker who performed design or development work on devices fabricated.

AND Additional Specialized Experience: MUST possess one (1) year of additional specialized experience equipped with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of Engineering Technician position.

To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-08 grade level in the Federal Service.

Specialized experience as described above in the Basic Requirement (Individual Occupational Requirements) and experience preparing contract drawings, specifications for competitively bid construction and maintenance repair work for a medical center or outpatient clinic.

OR Substitution of Education for Experience: MUST have successfully completed two (2) full years of graduate education or a master's degree directly related to the work of this position.

This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

(TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) OR Combination of Experience and Education: MUST have the equivalent combinations of specialized experience and successfully completed graduate education as described above to meet the total experience requirements to qualify at the GS-9 level.

(TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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/.

Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of sitting in one position, climbing up ladders and crawling under buildings and sometimes being exposed to the elements.

The work is mostly performed in an office setting. However, at times the work is performed in a construction site area with inherent dangers.

Work is also performed in an asbestos contaminated area on a limited basis. Major Duties:

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Duties can include but are not limited to the following: Provide analysis, designs, modifications, plans, installations, administers, and the construction of a multitude of assignments and projects.

Perform maintenance of facilities, structures, and all electrical systems, which operate within the facility.

Prepares plans, specifications, and estimates for complex projects, which include multidisciplinary architectural, fire and safety, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, telecommunication, analog and digital electronics, and hazardous material abatement design.

Prepares detailed cost estimates and justification of need for new construction, renovation, maintenance/repair and equipment installation projects.

Performs technical calculations/measurements to verify most cost-effective methods for building/space design.

Prepares contract drawings and specifications for competitively bid construction and maintenance repair.

Assists consulting architects and engineers with design of competitively bid construction and maintenance and repair work.

Evaluates survey/measured data obtained, incorporating salient features into design considerations and solutions.

Reviews construction contract specifications for compliance with NFPA Life Safety Codes and co-ordinates actions with Regional Safety and Fire Prevention Engineering Staff.

Reviews change order requests from contractors for accuracy and cost control and negotiates, when necessary.

Maintains record drawings of all Station and Domiciliary structures and grounds utilizing AutoCad programs.

Performs calculations on energy consumption and prepares proposals for reducing energy consumption.

Assists with accident investigation, review of safety suggestions, preparation of reports and statistical data pertaining to safety and fire protection.

Administers contracts for compliance, evaluates submissions, and processes payment applications and invoices within required time frames. Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Typical tour of duty is Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm but may be adjusted due to needs of the facility. This is an essential position.

The incumbent is required to report to work during emergencies and inclement weather. The tour of duty may include holidays, weekends, and rotating shifts.

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved