Basic Requirements:
United States Citizenship: You must be a citizen of the United States
English Language Proficiency: Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part
Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or Architecture: 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 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 from any State, the District of Columbia, Guam or Puerto Rico.
GS-07 Healthcare Engineer (Entry Level Developmental) - No additional requirements beyond the basic requirements.
GS-09 Healthcare Engineer (Developmental) - Experience/Education Requirement:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-09 you must meet one of the following:
You must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) OR
- Master of Engineering degree or Master of Architecture degree or Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field of study as outlined in basic requirements; OR
- Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph basic requirements plus two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the core competencies for GS-09 level assignment.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts and practices of the engineering profession.
- Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines and standards to make recommendations to assure compliance with healthcare facility programs.
- Ability to understand the operational professional engineering needs of clinical services in the healthcare system.
- Ability to prepare material on current technical topics and trends for presentation to other technical staff and mid-level hospital management and to keep abreast of changes in engineering technology related to a healthcare facility.
GS-11 Healthcare Engineer (Developmental) Experience Requirement:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-11 you must meet one of the following:
You must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) OR
- Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Engineering or a related field of engineering as outlined in basic requirements; OR
- Master of Engineering degree, Master of Architecture degree, Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field of study as outlined in basic requirements, plus 1 full year of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities for GS-11 level assignment; OR
- Bachelor's degree as outlined in basic requirements plus 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities for GS-11 level assignment.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of either mechanical, electrical, structural, civil or other engineering/architectural principles, practices and their applications in the healthcare environment.
- Knowledge of basic project management principles as applied to the healthcare setting.
- Ability to apply healthcare engineering related standards, codes, policies and regulations, inclusive of, state and local codes.
- Ability to communicate effective orally and in writing with internal and external customers with tact and diplomacy.
- Ability to develop material for clinical or administrative staff that addresses the principles and application of engineering technology and/or theory used in healthcare.
- Ability to advise staff on emerging engineering technology related to a healthcare facility, while keeping abreast of changes in such technology and utilizing the information to solve healthcare facility engineering challenges.
GS-12 Healthcare Engineer (Full Performance Level) Experience Requirement:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-12 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11).
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, structural, civil and other engineering/architectural principles, practices and their applications in the healthcare environment.
- Knowledge of healthcare industry standards and related regulatory agency and organization (including, but not limited to The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), etc.) regulations, requirements, guides, policies, procedures, directives, standards and general medical program requirements as they relate to healthcare engineering.
- Knowledge of construction standards, methods, practices and techniques, materials and equipment to determine compliance with engineering regulations and standards.
- Skill in researching and analyzing information, conditions, human factors and projections to make sound engineering and business recommendations and decisions to proactively identify problems and develop innovative solutions within the context of applicable rules, regulations and procedures.
- Ability to plan and execute complex, multi-faceted projects and inspections while prioritizing resources against approved scopes of work, contract documents and budgets.
- Ability to organize and lead multi-disciplinary task forces with members from different departments and divisions, as well as design and construction firms.
References: VA Handbook 5005/150 Part II Appendix G72 HEALTHCARE ENGINEER QUALIFICATION STANDARD
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
Physical Requirements: The work environment involves risks or discomforts that require safety precautions typical of such places as boiler rooms, chiller rooms, mechanical spaces, sub-basements, construction sites, etc. Typical office work areas are adequately lighted, cooled/heated, and ventilated. The incumbent must also work outdoors in all types of weather. There may be occasional exposure to moderate risks, discomforts or hazardous waste. The work is primarily sedentary, although daily physical effort shall be required, e.g., walking, standing, climbing ladders and steps, crouching, crawling, kneeling, and carrying items such as ladders, construction drawings/specifications, manuals, equipment cases, and driving or traveling by motor vehicle.