Summary The Supervisory Engineer applies an extensive knowledge & mastery of management concepts, principles, methods & practices, & engineering knowledge in the performance of duties because most of the direction received is in the form of policy statements & procedural guidelines. They interpret these guides in light of individual situations, considering impact in the building occupants, program repercussions, & compliance issues that may hamper the conduct of agency work & program accreditations. Responsibilities Major Duties: A. LEASED BUILDINGS PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT Responsible for the management and oversight of a diversified and complex, mission-essential leased building portfolio consisting of multi-mission Medical Outpatient Clinics, special purpose office spaces for local and Region VISN17 personnel, mental health and community support spaces for homeless veterans throughout the community, Vet Centers, Community Based Outpatient Clinic, Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Facilities, and warehouse space. Manages an annual budget of approximately $17.5 million. Manages, budgets and monitors the implementation of lease agreements of complex and mission-essential buildings assets spread throughout South Texas. Maintains up-to-date business, management and engineering knowledge pertinent to building management, through membership in professional organizations and reading widely in related fields to keep abreast of trends and changing organizational policies. This requires the incumbent to regularly monitor the need to reappraise agency space and service needs, and plans ways of meeting these needs, often through alterations, renovation, or recommending new space acquisition planning contracts. Manages and performs work involving project milestones and budgets. Allocates funds to lease contracts, supplemental lease agreements, and project alterations. Monitors performance to assure commitments are being maintained for all projects within the program. Reviews projects' progress, measuring performance and taking necessary corrective actions to maintain agreed upon schedule and cost as well as overall program accomplishments. Formulates alternative action proposals. Ensures that individual project objectives, milestones and budgets are accomplished within the overall program objectives. Prepares reports and answers correspondence relevant to projects/programs. Prepares fact sheets, issue papers and decision documents as necessary. Reviews and monitors overall program execution and makes adjustments as necessary based on circumstances and priorities. Implements corporate decisions, guidance, laws, regulations and policy into development of projects within the program. Maintains close liaison with other Department of Veterans Affairs Offices, VBA, VISN17 Region Staff, VACO Real Property, State and local government officials, local interest groups and others. Serves as the Engineering Building Management Liaison for all leases. Works in direct contact with the VISN17 Capital Assets Management Office, VISN Contracting Office, VACO Real Property, STVHCS Facility Planner, and leadership in the planning, management, and development of building assets. Provides administrative, engineering and policy guidance and advise to Facility Planner, Service Chiefs, the Administrative Officers (AOs) and Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) of the leased sites. Monitors and oversees the proper administration of buildings lease contracts that are the direct responsibility of the lease AOs/CORs, and local real estate agencies to ensure that responsibilities as defined in the contract are carried out and/or proper steps are taken to effect changes. Supports the CORs at the various leased sites in interfacing and working with building ownership, building managers landlord and/or City Officials to address maintenance, repair, security, safety, environmental quality, space alterations; investigating complaints; and in maintaining appropriate levels of support services related to heating, air conditioning, water and electrical service needs, janitorial, custodial services and any other agency needs. Conducts engineering assessments and evaluations, and provides recommendations to leadership, lease CORs and Contracting Officer for construction, alterations and repair, or for continuous reappraisal and evaluation of agency space. Based upon incumbent's expert knowledge, guidance and recommendations are accepted by all levels and used as a basis for implementing changes throughout the buildings and grounds. Major Duties Continues in Qualifications Section Below: Work Schedule: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday - with the possibility of our of normal hours if an emergency requires. Telework: AD-HOC only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55524-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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 dentification 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 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 trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. 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. 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: Supervisory Healthcare Engineer, GS-13. 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 data analysis techniques related to managing workload, quality, performance and productivity within the area of responsibility. Knowledge related to the management of overall department resources, (i.e., finances space, equipment, supplies, schedules and staffing) at the local level. Knowledge of the full range of supervisory duties, which include responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, training and development, recommendation of awards, advancements and disciplinary actions. Skill in using effective communication in managing interpersonal relationships, leading and dealing with employees, team leaders, labor representatives and managers. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems and develop and implement effective solutions that result in efficient operations. Ability to draft and/or recommend local policies and/or directives related to healthcare engineering management. Ability to recognize and assess evolving scenarios, utilizing initiative, self-direction and assigned resources to affect resolutions. 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-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is for GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. Major Duties Section Continued: Allocates time and resources to monitor energy usage, and evaluates the need for retrofitting. Applies engineering knowledge of building construction modernization, and maintenance requirements to identify the need and/or recommend major repair or alterations projects. Independently teams with VISN17 Capital Management Office, VISN17 Contracting Office, and VACO Real Property in the on-going update and validation of the Capital Assets Inventory (CAI) for STVHCS leased building assets. These updates and data validation include evaluation and revision of accuracy of building assets, space allocation, financial data, lease agreements files, contract terms, effective and expiration dates, tracking major contract modifications, and planned leased assets. The CAI database is the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) authoritative data source of real property data, and is used to evaluate the performance of VA Administrations, Networks, Stations, and the entire agency. This data is used in the VA Strategic Capital Investment Planning (SCIP) process, and is reported to stakeholders including VA senior management, the Federal Real Property Council (FRPC), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Department of Energy, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the General Services Administration (GSA), and Congress. Incumbent is a key member of the Technical Evaluation Board (TEB) in the acquisition and procurement of new or replacement building leases. As such participates in the evaluation of Solicitation for Offers, evaluating and providing engineering requirements, and written comments. Provides engineering evaluation advice during market research and site visits as part of the contracting acquisition process by assessing buildings or proposed land development actions, and reviews offeror's proposals for technical accuracy with government requirements. As part of the TEB, recommends rejection or selection of offerors, and provides engineering review of design development drawings during the design process. Incumbent has also a key role in the Project Activations Team (PAT). As such, collaborates with STVHCS Leadership in the planning, allocation of resources and execution for the activation of multi-mission and complex Outpatient Clinics throughout South Texas. PAT considerations include factors such as personnel, personnel actions, furnishings, medical and administrative supplies/equipment, resources procurement, and information technology systems. Participates in STVHCS planning process pertaining to leased assets. Monitors expenditures and forecasts actions that require reprogramming of funds for STVHCS leases. This requires working directly with the STVHCS Facility Planner in notifying when leased contracts are set to expire to ensure these assets are planned for and accounted for in the Strategic Capital Investment Planning (SCIP). The incumbent provides information and guidance to STVHCS leadership to improve departmental accountability and availability of timely data for management's decision-making. As part of the SCIP project development for new or replacement leases, collaborates directly with the STVHCS Strategic Planning Office and VISN17 Capital Management Office, by providing Engineering support in preparing Cost Effectiveness Analyses to determine Best Value of capital assets alternatives for further VISN17 approval. Major Duties Continued in Education Section Below: Education 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/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Major Duties Continued: Exercises expert knowledge of the occupant organizations, and the specific nature of their mission and functions when evaluating building deficiencies, space usage, and in capturing requirements for space alterations. Applies ingenuity and effectiveness in developing and negotiating plans for alterations based on optimum utilization of space, guidelines, and applicable policies. Applies expert engineering knowledge of specialized building/facility fields such as architectural, electrical and mechanical, to evaluate designs, specifications and construction methods/techniques applied to new facilities, building alterations, and maintenance of building/HVAC/systems equipment projects. Incumbent directs the planning and development of space alteration contracting packages for further procurement. These contracting packages include establishing requirements, developing scope of work to be performed, estimates cost, prepares budget, drawings and specifications. Participate in pre-award analysis and evaluate the contractor's ability to perform the work required. Evaluates contractor's proposals and recommends approval or disapproval of lease contract modifications. Certifies completion of building alterations with contract requirements. Projects within the program are often highly sensitive in nature and require exceptional planning and coordination efforts because of the complexity of the building systems and configuration, to ensure providing continuous services to tenants and avoid disrupting patient care. Some tenants have frequent major alterations and improvements that others, and this requires much greater than normal difficulty in planning and scheduling conflicting work requirements. Numerous, simultaneous or sequential construction and repair projects require intensive interaction with tenants regarding the timing of projects and resolving problems caused by dislocations to avoid compromising health care delivery. Resolves difficult problems encountered in assessing the building owner's or contractor's ability to meet requirements, and when it is difficult to secure compliance with contract provisions, or when performance requirements are specialized and hard to meet. Many services procured are very complex in nature and specialized, involving high-tech medical equipment replacement or alterations, resolving heating/air conditioning repair or operational deficiencies, elevator work, or hazardous materials abatement. When HVAC systems are inefficient, the building management requires more frequent preventive maintenance to operate at its best efficiency. Independently conducts audits, inspections, and evaluation of STVHCS lease agreements and building assets, CAI and SCIP business cases in order to assess effectiveness in relation to the STVHCS mission. This includes developing procedures and systems for establishing, operating, and assessing the effectiveness of administrative control systems and/or operating programs to prevent waste, loss, unauthorized use, or misappropriation of building assets. Evaluates results of audits/inspections and forwards action items to the Chief of Engineering for further STVHCS leadership evaluation. Provides authoritative recommendations to the Chief of Engineering regarding possible need for revision of policies governing the local business assets. B. BUILDING ASSETS QUALITY MANAGEMENT The Supervisory Lease/Compliance Projects Engineer directly advises the STVHCS Chief Engineer in the engineering quality management by staying abreast of VHA Directive and Policy changes that may conflict with engineering design standards or impact the engineering compliance of organizational performance measures and other metrics involved in the hospital accreditations and star rating. Provides engineering expertise and insight regarding the quality management and engineering compliance of Building Maintenance and Utility Management Programs with Environment of Care, by securing of expert opinions in the interpretation of codes, standards, directives and regulations; preparation of white papers and internal audits of assigned programs in support of program management goals and objectives. Continuously researches, reviews, updates and develops policies and procedures in support of administrative, medical, regulatory, VHA directives and Engineering criteria. Evaluates and interprets policy changes and research engineering industry standards, and other VA SOPs to determine their impact on program needs. Directly consults with VACO Office of Facilities Management on sensitive matters such as fire or life safety to formulate interpretations. Develops or recommends the performance of risk assessments to comply with updated engineering criteria, or operational requirements. Major Duties continued in Additional Information section below: Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. 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. Major Duties Continued: Exercises knowledge and stays abreast of The Joint Commission (TJC) regulatory updates for hospital accreditation. Evaluates new requirements, filters and communicates information to key staff for implementation. Supports the Engineering Service in preparing for the TJC surveys in communicating documentation requirements, and in formulating responses to findings, and producing Evidence of Compliance reports. Incumbent also analyses engineering programs that impact the Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning (SAIL), which determines the hospital star rating. SAIL, is a system for summarizing hospital system performance within Veterans Health Administration (VHA). SAIL assesses 25 quality measures in areas such as death rate, complications, and patient satisfaction, as well as overall efficiency and physician capacity at individual VA Medical Centers. Applies expert engineering knowledge of specialized building/facility fields such as life safety, architectural, civil, electrical and mechanical, when evaluating design development submissions, specifications and construction documents for construction, renovation, and maintenance of building/HVAC/systems equipment projects, and provides comments for implementation to CORs and independent outside-agency Consultants in support of the Minor Construction and Non- Recurring Maintenance Construction Programs. Organizes, prepares and conducts training to Engineering staff on complex and changing engineering criteria. Major Duties Continued in Benefits section below:
