Healthcare Engineer-GEMS Coordinator/Project Engineer

Full Job Description

The position serves as the Green Environment Management Systems (GEMS) Coordinator/Project Engineer at the Western North Carolina VA Healthcare System.

The engineer will be responsible for managing healthcare system environmental program(s) and coordinating the efforts of healthcare systems organizations that relate to environmental matters.

A Recruiting/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.

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. 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.

Titles may vary from educational institutions and 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 and 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. 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 and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to a Bachelor's degree above.

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).

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

In addition to meeting the experience requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully 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. Assignment.

Employees at this level serve as Healthcare Engineers at the full performance level. Employees at this level serve as Healthcare Engineers at the full performance level.

They work independently, under general supervision with wide latitude to exercise independent judgment.

Healthcare Engineers demonstrate intimate grasp of high order healthcare engineering and capital subject matter.

They serve as institutional resources for healthcare delivery processes and systems, working extensively with clinical stakeholders, acquisition staff, contractors and executive leadership by leading healthcare engineering programs, technology assessments, integration planning implementation of both current and emerging technologies.

Healthcare Engineers support the delivery of healthcare to Veterans by contributing to the education of clinical staff, planners and leadership to ensure safe and efficient healthcare delivery.

Healthcare Engineers plan, execute and document highly complex, multi-faceted healthcare facility construction projects and inspections while prioritizing resources against approved scopes of work, contract documents and budgets.

They identify problems and develop innovative solutions within the context of applicable rules, regulations and procedures, as it relates to the healthcare environment.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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. Major Duties:

Engineer will be align themselves with the VA's goal to implement sound stewardship practices that are protective of the air, water, land, and other natural and cultural resources.

In accordance with the goals of the VA GEMS program, seeks to cost-effectively meet or exceed compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local environmental; public health; and resource protection laws, regulations, and VA requirements.

Primary duties include but not limited to the following: Performs work related to the management and operation of VHA healthcare facilities and programs that are needed to, protect the environment, protect human health from environmental pollution and improve air, land, and water resources.

Engineer seeks to incorporate practices necessary to implement the requirements of Executive Order 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy and Transportation Management." Engineer is responsible for coordinating the efforts of healthcare system staff involved with the GEMS to ensure that the GEMS is developed and implemented in accordance with VHA and WNCHCS policy and guidance.

Engineer is further responsible for ensuring that the GEMS results in findings and conclusions that lead to continual improvement of environmental programs at the healthcare system.

Engineer is responsible for applying environmental science and technology to demonstrate relationships between the operation of the healthcare system with human health, ecosystems, environmental media, and natural resources.

Engineer provides leadership and direction to management, professional and technical personnel regarding the development and implementation of the facility GEMS.

The incumbent plans, organizes, implements, oversees, and provides technical assistance for projects to resolve environmental problems.

Assignments include, but are not limited to, domestic and industrial wastewater treatment and disposal; safe drinking water; treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste; release 'of hazardous material/spill response; air pollution control; environmental media permitting; toxic substances; and regulatory oversight.

The engineer provides technical expertise for the design, modification, operation and maintenance of VA Medical Center facilities and infrastructure to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

When necessary, the engineer may perform the role of Project Engineer that includes, but not limited to 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.).

In this role, the engineer may serve as resident and program engineer consisting of the planning, design, and overseeing of major healthcare system projects; oversees Professional Architecture/Engineering (A/E) and Construction contracts to ensure the contractor follows all contractual requirements, healthcare regulations and codes, specifications and schedules are met in accordance with the government's requirements for VA owned and leased facilities.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 8:00AM-4:30PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized