Healthcare Engineer

Full Job Description

This position serves as a Healthcare Engineer, Energy Engineer, for one or more Medical Centers, inclusive of Medical Center (VA) owned and leased space including outpatient Clinics, CBOCs or administrative space operated by the Medical Center.

Basic Requirements: US Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

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.

Exp of acceptable engineering and architectural degrees include, but are not limited to: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomed Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture and Architectural Engineering.

Titles may vary; 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 Qual Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria): 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 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.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard, but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to the position, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

(2) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.

(3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

(4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

(5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

Grade Determinations GS-13:In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Experience.

One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade GS-12. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to meeting the experience requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: (a)Knowledge of current and evolving concepts and principles of general engineering to resolve novel or obscure problems; extend and modify techniques; develop new approaches that guide other engineers who solve a variety of technical problems; and/or apply new, innovative or experimental advanced engineering theories, developments or practices.

(b)Skill in construction, capital planning and multiple healthcare system portfolio management inclusive of budget development and tracking.

(c)Skill to collaborate with persons having different viewpoints, goals or objectives to achieve a common understanding of the problem and a satisfactory solution by justifying, defending, negotiating or settling controversial and far-reaching matters through active participation in conferences, meetings or presentations.

(d)Ability to interpret broad guidelines and exercise considerable judgment and ingenuity in interpreting and adapting existing guides, developing new and improved hypotheses, concepts or approaches to previously tested or reported and/or in developing new policies that advance the organization.(e)Ability to coordinate and interact with regional facilities, national and corresponding staff for the implementation and coordination of policies and program plans to apply prioritization methodologies that align facilities' capital asset requests and develop infrastructure options that result in the efficacious use of regional level capital strategic plans.

(f)Ability to adapt and apply trends in healthcare delivery systems that impact long-term capital assets (such as aging equipment and physical plants) for regionally integrated healthcare systems.

(g) Ability to consult and collaborate with all organizational levels in a national healthcare organization, outside organizations and businesses regarding both strategic and financial activities of a regional healthcare organization.

(h) Ability to implement and/or sustain a capital asset and construction program that meets healthcare facility related standards, codes, policies and regulations inclusive of state and local codes.

Assignment.

For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

At this level, employees are non-supervisory and are typically found at the Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) or national program office level, however, employees may be located at the facility level with VISN or national assignments.

Healthcare Engineers are the project managers for all VISN or some national level operations, accreditation, construction (major, minor and nonrecurring maintenance) and capital planning activities.

At this level, Healthcare Engineers are advanced engineers overseeing engineering and project design programs for several VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

They implement value engineering theories and principles and assure the most economical methods of construction or construction materials are utilized and achieve cost efficiency for the Federal Government.

They coordinate VISN capital investment project submissions and provide guidance on investment categories, strategies, financial planning and budgeting.

Healthcare Engineers evaluate and establish VISN-wide cost estimating strategy.

They assist facility management when developing strategies to address the correction of space, functional and operational deficiencies and provide guidance, direction and policy interpretation on sensitive and complex issues in support of the acquisition and administration of all construction projects and capital planning.

Ref: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-13 Physical Req: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Major Duties:

This position serves as a Healthcare Engineer, Energy Engineer, for one or more Medical Centers, inclusive of Medical Center (VA) owned and leased space including outpatient Clinics, CBOCs or administrative space operated by the Medical Center.

The Energy Engineer works in a collaborative effort with other Energy Managers within the VISN toward accomplishing VISN wide and VHA Energy goals.

Duties are as listed but are not limited to: Uses energy analysis tools to conduct HVAC, lighting, building, steam generation system, domestic hot water, and other energy audits, to minimize energy and water waste.

Prepares reports and surveys for the VA Office of Capital Asset Management and Engineering Support (OCAMES) based on or to prepare for these audits.

Interprets and resolves conflicts between, the various legislation, executive orders, VA Directives, specifications, industrial codes, and standards that relate to the conservation programs for Energy and Water.

Establishes objectives, educating, and negotiation with leadership, supervisors, maintenance and repair staff, general staff and facility managers regarding engineering compliance requirements and energy, water, and GHG reduction programs.

Formulate and establish policies and VISN-wide energy conservation initiatives relating to utility system energy operation/performance, operational and maintenance procedures with the objective of meeting VA and VISN energy conservation goals.

Oversees energy conservation improvements with environmental, safety and occupational health (ESOH) professionals, including GEMS coordinators to insure any ESOH-related benefits are captured, and any associated ESCH-related risks are assessed and controlled.

Manages building/energy management system(s) and utility metering initiatives (electrical, natural gas, chilled water, potable water, etc.) ensuring proper use, expansion, and administration.

Monitors the energy consumption and utility billing related records, analyzes the records to determine energy consumption trends and prepares monthly energy reports to apprise management of the progress in meeting energy conservation goals.

Manages all Energy Planning activities including the development or review of energy or energy intensive projects for SCIP this includes engineering calculations for Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA), Savings to Investment Ration (SIR), and Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.

Creates Pilot Programs (new technology and procedures); developing local standards to minimize energy and water waste, commodity acquisition, electricity, natural gas, Utility Energy Saving Contracts (UESC).

Monitor utility systems components looking for significant changes to consumption rates or quantities Evaluate data compiled from the computerized energy management system, looking for trends, such as under and overutilized equipment.

Monitor control and alarm set points within the computerized energy management systems Work with energy plant personnel to monitor/improve efficiency of boiler and chiller operations Monitor natural gas prices to determine when utilizing alternate fuel such as fuel oil in facility boilers is of economic benefit to the facility.

Determine local set back parameters for unoccupied spaces after hours. Evaluate existing energy savings systems, such as glycol loops, heat wheels and solar panels and recommending appropriate changes.

Review and monitor contracts and contractor performance for water treatment such as softeners for boilers, chillers, and food preparation or cleaning equipment for appropriateness and billing accuracy.

Manage the building/energy management system(s) and utility metering initiatives (electrical, water, etc.) ensuring proper use, expansion, and administration.

Establish operating set points and monitor performance of Variable Frequency Drives or similar devices. Inspect and monitor the steam condensate return piping system and appurtenances.

Performs other related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0800-1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 41183F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized