Supervisory Healthcare Engineer (Deputy/Assistant Chief)

Full Job Description

This position serves as the Deputy (Assistant Chief), Facilities Management Service position serves as the Deputy with responsibility for the professional Engineering programs such as Maintenance and Repair, Utility Plant Operations, Energy Management and Conservation Program, Safety, Fire Prevention, Capital Planning, and Construction Project Management section at a multi-faceted and affiliated VA Medical Center, including outlying Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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.

Incumbent must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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 3 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 (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 Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, candidates must meet the following grade requirements.

GS-13: Supervisory Healthcare Engineer (Deputy): Experience: At least one year of of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled and must fully meet all the KSAs at that level.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 the management of overall healthcare system resources, (i.e., finances, space, equipment, supplies, schedules and staffing).

(b) Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, structural, civil and other engineering/architectural principles, practices and their applications as related to healthcare facilities.

(c) Skill in using effective communication in managing interpersonal relationships with internal and external customers, stakeholders, executive leadership, labor representatives and managers.

(d) Skill in balancing priorities, delegating tasks and meeting multiple competing deadlines.

(e) Skill in interpreting broad or general national policies and guidelines and adapting/applying them to specific compliant programs at the local healthcare system.

(f) Skill in recognizing and assessing evolving scenarios, utilizing initiative, self-direction and assigned resources to affect resolutions.

(g) Ability to analyze complex organizational problems and develop and implement effective solutions that result in efficient operations.

(h) Ability to anticipate, develop and implement strategies in meeting the healthcare system's short term and long-term strategic goals in a highly fluid environment.

(i) Ability to ensure compliance with healthcare industry standards and regulatory agency and organization (including but not limited to TJC, OSHA, NFPA, etc.), regulations, requirements, guides, policies, procedures, directives and general medical program requirements as they relate to healthcare engineering.

(j) Ability to interview candidates for positions, recommend appointments, advancements, or when appropriate, disciplinary actions; evaluate performance and identify continuing education and training needs.

Preferred Experience: Healthcare facility experience; Professional Engineering Licensure 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 Chief Engineer 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.

Major Duties:

The major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Oversees the Joint Commission (TJC) Environment of Care Programs for Utility Systems Management, Safety, and Life Safety for both this Medical Center and all Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

Collaborates with operations and program managers to ensure integrated goals and priorities for Facilities Management Service are met.

Involved with long and short-range planning, establishing policy, and budgeting for the Medical Center, as well as for all Facilities Management Service programs.

Provides management support and technical expert consultation to the Chief Engineer.

Responsible for the planning, organizing, directing, evaluating, and management process for the Facilities Management Service that includes setting qualitative and quantitative standards.

Oversees human resources management matters for the services, including development and implementation of succession and workforce plans.

Creates and supports programs to ensure the healthcare system manages and maintains fire safety equipment, systems, and life safety building features.

Provides for the budgeting and financial management for Facilities Management Service.

Researches and/or analyzes problems, issues, or program requirements related to all areas of the facility and all facets of Facilities Management Service.

Develops and advises on administrative requirements for the entire scope of services provided by Facilities Management Services.

Mentor other newer engineers and help them learn the things they need to know to manage an engineering department.

Reviews or directs the review of plans, specifications, and analyses of design as submitted by subordinate engineers and engineering technicians.

Develops technical data regarding materials, sizes, dimensions, quantities, and costs to be incorporated in formal specifications.

Prepares correspondence, technical reports, estimates, fact sheets, status reports, and schedules as required to complete project assignments.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Authorized for highly qualified candidates 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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.