Qualifications

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
• Possess a bachelor's degree in professional engineering from an accredited college or university
• To be acceptable, the curriculum must (1) be in school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum
• or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics
• (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships)
• (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics
• (d) thermodynamics
• (e) electrical fields and circuits
• (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties)
• and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics
• TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED
• OR Possess a combination of college level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering
• TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED
• The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional Registration: current registration as a professional engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico
• Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration
• REGISTRATION REQUIRED
• Written Test: Evidence of having successfully passed the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) examination, or the written test required for professional registration, which is administered by the Boards of Engineering Examiners in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico
• EVIDENCE OF PASSING REQUIRED
• Specified Academic Courses: Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements
• The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum as described above (paragraph - Possess bachelor's degree)
• TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED
• Related Curriculum: Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field, e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance
• TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED
• 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)
• 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 meeting at least one of the basic requirements above, you must also meet the following to qualify for this position at the GS-14 grade level: Specialized Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) in Federal service that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled
• The professional engineering experience required is defined as non-routine engineering work that required and was characterized by (1) professional knowledge of engineering
• (2) professional ability to apply such knowledge to engineering problems
• and (3) positive and continuing development of professional knowledge and ability
• Such professional engineering experience would include a variety of traditional disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, structural, safety, fire, environmental, and civil engineering as well as non-traditional engineering disciplines such as biomedical and telecommunications
• expert knowledge of engineering, construction, cost estimating, project management on highly complex projects
• demonstrated ability reading, preparing, and interpreting architectural, structural, civil, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical plans and drawings
• experience working on design teams, conceptual layouts, and construction estimation
• experience in the use of computerized drafting, equipment and full-size drawing production/reproduction, such as the latest in AutoCAD
• and expert knowledge of regulations which effect engineering management functions such as The Joint Commission (TJC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational and Safety Administration (OSHA), etc
• Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional
• philanthropic
• religions
• spiritual
• community
• student
• social)
• Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment
• You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience
• Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week
• Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities
• Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The work of this position requires walking, standing, sitting, bending, climbing, crawling or reaching in utility rooms, crawlspaces and other areas to work and inspect buildings and/or equipment at various stages of repair or construction.