Engineering Technician

Summary The Engineering Technician position is located at the VA Western Colorado Health Care System (WCHCS), Department of Veterans Affairs comprising of the most diverse and complex, multi-mission, principle facility on the Western Slope Responsibilities DUTIES: Project Development: Full range of engineering functions associated with delegated responsibilities in project development. Plans projects to maintain function of this Health Care System for various service lines. Administrative duties. The incumbent performs work of a broad scope and complexity and demonstrates the ability to interpret, select, and apply many guidelines and engineering principles and practices related to the areas of specialization and knowledge of related scientific and engineering fields. Develops capital project submissions for design and construction projects submitted to VISN 19 for approval. This involves detailed descriptions of the scope of work, estimates for funding, justifications of the project scope based on VA Gap Analysis. Exhibits a comprehensive, intensive and practical knowledge of current design and construction practices and the requirements of the VA Construction Program as described in the Technical Information Library, Engineering Guidebook, and numerous directives. Performs duties in the development of in-house designs, including cost estimates, construction drawings, and preparations of specifications for new construction, alterations, major repairs and replacement projects; also provides coordination for complete projects as assigned. Designs should reflect the latest changes and requirements in engineering practices, OSHA Standards, NFPA Standards and VA Construction Standards. Makes the required site investigations, sets up and coordinates conferences with the appropriate services to determine design requirements and information needed for design. Assures the final design in within the scope of work required and funds are available. Follows Engineering, WCHCS and VHA policies, procedures and guidelines in the administration of construction projects. Reviews contractor's pay estimates, submittal progress, measurement data and reports of materials and equipment used against information shown on field inspection and survey reports. Discusses discrepancies with the contractor to obtain explanation of changes to invoices for contractor payment. Closes construction projects. Ensures all elements needed for substantial completion have been delivered. Reviews contractor red-lines to ensure changes in plans and specification have been accurately recorded. Provides to AE to develop "as-built" record drawings. Files record documents, including M&O manuals, Test and Balance records, and material testing records. Updates station manuals and master plans. Obtains releases from construction contractor and AE. Updates national records in PTR. Maintains master facility records consisting of drawings, space files, permanent environmental records, and real estate records. Maintains record drawings of all WCHCS building structures, utilities, and grounds utilizing AutoCAD programs. Makes necessary changes to keep drawings current as remodeling, new construction, and maintenance and repair occur. Maintains and updates the Master Utility Plans. Field verify changes and update the most current plans. Makes changes to existing plans, as needed, and ensures availability of plans for use in design/construction activities. Tracks space changes approved by the Projects and Space Committee and notates prospective changes on record documents and in space files. Field verifies changes made through capital projects, contracted construction activities and internal renovations and update record documents and space file. Updates Capital Asset Inventory (CAI) records. reporting requirements. The CAI database is used for asset tracking and management by local, regional and national leadership teams. Performs other duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Engineering Technician/PD127260 and PD127250 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work is a combination of sedentary and requiring physical effort and exertion such as e.g., walking, standing, carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle. Long periods of standing, bending, and stooping is also required to observe and study work operations in project construction areas/sites, confined spaces, use of scaffolding multi-stories tall, mechanical equipment rooms, and other spaces that are noisy, dirty and close quarters, and lifting of light to moderate heavy items weighing less than 50 pounds. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/02/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Individual Occupational Requirements Series Definition: 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. Basic Requirements: Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 or equivalent and above):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. Certification: Engineering technicians may be certified by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies, an organization sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Certification by the Institute will be helpful as a measure of the technician's quality of experience. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-9 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: knowledge of computer-aided drafting programs and drafting skills for engineering concepts, principles and practices applicable to the full range of technician duties concerned with the design and layout of a variety of drawings. Comprehensive and practical knowledge and understanding of engineering/architectural and construction principles, practices and methods sufficient to adapt to the specific situation, to solve a variety of problems, to technically review engineer designs, construction methods and details, concepts and proposed designs and specifications. Applies such knowledge to technical services rendered in carrying out a range of engineering functions, including evaluation and report preparation. Comprehensive knowledge of VA policies, directives, regulations and operating procedures and engineering, architectural and construction practices in government agencies and in the private sector to evaluate and recommend adoption of new or enhanced approaches. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have/ possess two (2) full years of graduate education (e.g. 36 semester hours) or a master's degree. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond beyond 1 full year of graduate education. GS-11 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to knowledge of computer-aided drafting programs and drafting skills for engineering concepts, principles and practices applicable to the full range of technician duties concerned with the design and layout of a variety of drawings. Comprehensive and practical knowledge and understanding of engineering/architectural and construction principles, practices and methods sufficient to adapt to the specific situation, to solve a variety of problems, to technically review engineer designs, construction methods and details, concepts and proposed designs and specifications. Applies such knowledge to technical services rendered in carrying out a range of engineering functions, including evaluation and report preparation. Comprehensive knowledge of VA policies, directives, regulations and operating procedures and engineering, architectural and construction practices in government agencies and in the private sector to evaluate and recommend adoption of new or enhanced approaches. Independently perform calculations such as estimating quantities of various materials, and selection and adaptation of standard details to meet project requirements. Ability to independently interpret drawings, plans and specifications and to identify and correct deficiencies in conflicting data. Extensive knowledge and understanding of multiple electronic systems (e.g., Adobe Acrobat, AutoCAD, MicroStation, Revit, Bentley BIM building information modeling applications, Project Wise and Dr Checks or similar software packages) and related software requirements and their capabilities to independently make technically-related decisions and to verify functionality of system and end product for completion of specifications drawing files in support of the Health Care System's engineering projects. 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/. Education GS-9 A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. GS-11 There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.