Supervisory Healthcare Engineer - Recruitment/Relocation Authorized

Full Job Description

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

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. 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.

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. Grandfather Provision.

A Healthcare Engineer employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (03/18/2022) who did not meet all the basic requirements in this standard may not be promoted beyond the full performance level (GS-0801-12) or be newly placed in a supervisory or managerial positions until meeting the full qualification requirements.

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.

Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency.

Healthcare Engineer candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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: GS-14: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-13).

Examples of experience would include, but are not limited to: implement value engineering theories and principles and assure the most economical methods of construction or construction materials are utilized and achieve cost efficiency; coordinate VISN capital investment project submissions and provide guidance on investment categories, strategies, financial planning and budgeting; evaluate and establish cost estimating strategy; assist facility management when developing strategies to address the correction of space, functional and operational deficiencies; 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.

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 as related to healthcare facilities.

Knowledge related to the management of overall healthcare system resources, (i.e., finances, space, equipment, supplies, schedules and staffing).

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

Skill in balancing multiple responsibilities, setting priorities, delegating tasks and projects, meeting multiple deadlines, analyzing complex organizational problems and developing and implementing effective solutions that result in efficient operations.

Skill in applying considerable independent judgment to interpret broad or general national policies and guidelines and adapt/apply them to specific compliant programs at the local healthcare system.

Skill in recognizing and assessing evolving scenarios, utilizing initiative, and self-directing and assigning resources to affect resolutions.

Skill in complying with national internal and outside regulatory agency and organization (including, but not limited to TJC, OSHA, NFPA, etc.) regulations, requirements, guides, policies, procedures, directives, standards and general medical program requirements as they relate to healthcare engineering.

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.

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: Ability to professionally communicate with staff and internal customers, influence decision making, and achieve compromise and consensus.

Extensive knowledge of campus and building operations, maintenance and repair. Extensive knowledge of construction and projects and the ability to manage them as a steward to the government.

Knowledge of purchasing/contracting rules and processes in order to ensure minimal delays in obtaining supplies and equipment necessary to complete required work.

Ability to work with Human Resources on various responsibilities from hiring, performance appraisals, awards, ERLR, etc.

Ability to analyze complex engineering issues, issue clear direction, communicate with stakeholders and ensure resolution.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.

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 Healthcare Engineer provides for a safe, reliable, and precisely controlled operating environment for direct patient care.

Healthcare Engineers serve as experts in the design, sustainment, and improvement of the medical care environment, including all hospital building features, automated building management and environmental control systems, and critical utility systems.

Healthcare Engineers collaborate directly with executive leadership, medical staff, nursing staff, biomedical engineering, and other clinical personnel regarding the design and operation of the environment for medical care.

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Engineering Program Management and Administration: The Chief Engineer is responsible for strengthening and enhancing healthcare facility engineering and operations.

The Chief Engineer is a key managerial advisor reporting directly to top Medical Center management.

This position is a responsible leader and a member of the Medical Center top management team and is relied on for authoritative advice on all aspects of engineering matters.

This position is a fully participating technical advisor in all or almost all significant management planning, policy, and decision-making actions of the Medical Center except those of a primarily medical nature.

This position is involved with long and short-range planning, establishing policy, and budgeting for the Medical Center, as well as for all Engineering Service programs.

Budgeting/Financial Management Work: Provides for the budgeting and financial management for Engineering Service.

This includes budget formulation, justification, and execution; financial management; and financial reporting.

The Chief Engineer identifies functional requirements for current and future programs inclusive of life-cycle costs. Provides advice to management and program personnel on budgetary and finance issues.

As top advisor to management, provides budget management for major, unstable programs. Exercises responsibility for budget formulation, presentation, and execution.

Maintains awareness of and information about the overall status of financial resources for the office in order to react to changing situations with timely recommendations.

Participates with management in defending the budget before senior level management. Interacts and negotiates on adjustments or reprogramming in support of major program changes or requirements.

Reviews for financial impact.

Research and Analysis Work: Researches and/or analyzes problems, issues, or program requirements related to all areas of the facility and all facets of Engineering Service.

Provides expert analysis and advice on complex program issues. Based on operations and changing program requirements, identifies relevant issues.

Collects relevant information from many varied sources, some of which are difficult to access. Devises new analytical techniques to evaluate findings. Makes authoritative recommendations.

Researches and provides technical recommendations pertaining to a wide-range of national codes and standards including but not limited to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), OSHA, TJC, EPA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Provides for the overall administrative management for Engineering Service.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized, applicable for applicants outside of VA.

Recruitment Incentive: Authorized, applicable for applicants outside of VA. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

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).

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: Ad-Hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 50044F/Supervisory Healthcare Engineer Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized