Summary The primary purpose of the position is to plan, design, analyze, and layout of new construction as well as the conversion, remodeling, or modernization of existing VA buildings and facilities. The Engineering technician is responsible to act as a technical resource for the staff and a project engineer for complex projects at the Veterans Affairs Sierra Nevada Health Care System (VASNHCS) in Reno, NV. Responsibilities This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT until August 12, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. Major duties include but are not limited to: Works with Chief Engineers and Engineering Staff for the efficient and effective implementation of construction projects; Performs project management duties to lead multidiscipline design team, or contracted design services in the preparation of complete design package; Prepares plans, specifications, and estimates for complex projects; Informs Chief Engineer of plans for continuous and ongoing major projects in concert with contractors and construction and facility management staff; Assists in providing oversight of the facility design, construction, repair, renovation and modernization of buildings and facilities; Performs a variety of construction management tasks during the construction phase of a project; Performs review, assessment, and guidance by analyzing design development documents, resolving more novel and complex design problems with original approaches and preparing appropriate documents for VA project development approvals; Prepares documentation for approval of outside agencies such as State Office of Historic Preservation (SHPO), local fire departments, Department of Defense (DoD) and environmental agencies; Prepares estimates for projects ranging from minor maintenance to large non-recurring management for advanced budget planning; Prepares Scope of Work (SOW) for Engineer service contracts or services provided by other government agencies; Uses extensive experience to formulate and recommend strategies on how to deal with workload, setting goals and priorities; Serves as expert technical advisor to peers and senior managers; Serves as the technical expert on highly technical equipment, network systems and computer software programs; Possesses a strong proficiency using the following software applications to include, but not limited to, Access, Excel, Power Point, MS Project, and Word, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and AutoCAD; And, Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Telework: Not authorized Position Description/PD#: Engineering Technician/PD02983A Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Valid Driver's License is required Qualifications Individual Occupational Requirements: The 0802 series requires specific education or experience to be met in order to be appointed into a position of this series. You must meet one of the pre-determined Education or Experience Individual Occupational Requirements listed below as set by Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Qualifications: In order to qualify for this position, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience that 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 this position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-10) in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes Advanced knowledge of engineering concepts, principles, and practices applicable to a range of construction and extensive in-depth knowledge of a variety of construction techniques to direct the construction inspection and material testing work. Comprehensive practical knowledge of project management concepts, principles, practices, and theories sufficient to permit the incumbent to serve as a project manager for multiple complex construction projects of new construction and repair and alteration projects. Comprehensive practical knowledge of current design techniques, construction methods, project management concepts and skills in applying these techniques, methods, and concepts to the projects to insure the successful completion of the program. Knowledge of a wide range of design and construction concepts, principles, and methods applicable to a variety of complex problems, construction projects, or feasibility studies that may include diverse general engineering or other conditions. ~OR~ Education: Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education that is directly related to the work of the Engineering Technician position, such as engineering, construction, or industrial technology. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond master's degree) and specialized experience, as described above. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Building and Construction Design Oral Communication Project Management Technical Competence 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). 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. Physical Demands: The work requires frequent walking, bending, lifting, and carrying light equipment. Occasional climbing and crawling are required. Work Environment: A major portion of the work is performed in an office setting; however, work will also be performed at construction sites. Some of the work may be performed on scaffolds, rooftops, platforms, and other exterior spaces. Frequent visits around medical areas are necessary where there is possible exposure to contagious diseases, staph infections, and radiation hazards. 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 IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov). Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/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/. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.
