Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This vacancy is open to United States Citizens. Internal candidates should apply to vacancy number CAZM-12905873-26-JET

This job is also open in another announcement to:

Federal employees - Competitive service

Federal employees - Excepted service

Internal to an agency

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• The Energy Manager will work in a collaborative effort with other Energy Managers within their VISN toward accomplishing VISN wide and VHA energy goals. The incumbent works closely with the VISN Capital Asset Manager providing technical support for VISN and National initiatives or programs. In addition, the incumbent provides technical and program support for the energy conservation programs at local National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Veteran Benefit Administration (VBA), Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling), and Joint DOD/VA sites. The incumbent will have the ability to serve on VISN and National Committees or Task Forces as effort to strengthens VA overall Energy Programs and develop new initiative or innovative ideas for future strategic planning.
• The incumbent will conduct HVAC, lighting, building, steam generation system, domestic hot water, and other energy audits within the VISN using industry standard energy analysis tools to minimize energy consumption; He/she must be proficient in the use of energy survey equipment (light meters, power factor meters, wattmeter, and anemometer) and computerized energy survey software (FEDS, ASEAM, or equal computer applications).
• The incumbent works with the operations and maintenance sections to analyze and improve utility system energy performance, initiate, and provide support for the development of operational procedures and controls, including but not limited to the following:- Manages VISN17 Retro Commissioning Projects, Energy Audits and Energy projects.- Monitor utility systems components looking for significant changes in consumption rates or quantities.- Evaluate data compiled from the computerized energy management system, looking for trends, such as under and over utilized equipment.- Monitor control and alarm set points within the computerized energy management systems.- Work with energy plant personnel to monitor/improve efficiency of boiler and chiller operations.- Monitor natural gas prices to determine when utilizing alternate fuel such as fuel oil in facility boilers is of economic benefit to the facility.- Determine local set back parameters for unoccupied spaces after hours.- Evaluate existing energy savings systems, such as glycol loops, heat wheels and solar panels and recommending appropriate operational changes.- Review and monitor contracts and contractor performance for water treatment such as softeners for boilers, chillers and food preparation or cleaning equipment for appropriateness and billing accuracy.- Manage the building/energy management system(s) and utility metering initiatives (electrical, water, etc.) ensuring proper use, expansion, and administration.
• The position performs evaluations on medical care programs and services to ensure assigned projects are aligned and support the healthcare organization's needs and requirements for expansion of service and/or efficient flow of operation. The position has to learn how specialized patient services are performed for that area to become a knowledgeable proponent to provide direction to designers in how to meet users goals and intention but still manage the expectations of the stakeholders within limits of budget/space allocated for theproject.
• Performs an array of pre-planning activities that include coordinating cross-departmental planning meetings, developing Scopes of Work, conceptual project designs, and government cost estimates, and ensures project documents are produced in accordance with VA Contracting and Information Security requirements.
• Reviews A/E documentations as the technical authority and quality assurance for the medical center for various Minor, Non-Recurring Maintenance (NRM), Leased projects and other construction projects related to submissions of reports, drawings, specifications and literature consisting of adequacy of content, correctness, consistency with VA standards and goals, design principles and guidelines, cost effectiveness, compliance to healthcare codes and VA standards, and professional appearance. Recommends sound advice and presents alternatives that will enable management to accomplish the desired results or objectives within the framework of sound engineering practices and standards of project execution.
• The position is responsible for training the facility maintenance staff on new equipment or complex utility systems to ensure the staff have the comprehensions, qualifications and understanding of the systems to maintain and operate. The position provides guidance to management and staff for TJC Accreditation for Medical Centers

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000/Healthcare Engineer - Energy
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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

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:
  • (1) 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 (Transcripts Required); OR
  • (2) 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 (Supporting documentation required, attach with your application); OR
  • (3) 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. (Supporting documentation required, attach with your application)
• Foreign Education: To be creditable, engineering, architecture or related education completed outside the U.S. must be submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to a Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph 3.b. of this appendix.
• 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 GS-13:

• Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
• KSAs: In addition to meeting the experience requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • (a) Knowledge of current and evolving concepts and principles of general engineering to resolve novel or obscure problems; extend and modify techniques; develop new approaches that guide other engineers who solve a variety of technical problems; and/or apply new, innovative or experimental advanced engineering theories, developments or practices.
  • (b) Skill in construction, capital planning and multiple healthcare system portfolio management inclusive of budget development and tracking.
  • (c) Skill to collaborate with persons having diverse viewpoints, goals or objectives to achieve a common understanding of the problem and a satisfactory solution by justifying, defending, negotiating or settling controversial and far-reaching matters through active participation in conferences, meetings or presentations.
  • (d) Ability to interpret broad guidelines and exercise considerable judgment and ingenuity in interpreting and adapting existing guides, developing new and improved hypotheses, concepts or approaches to previously tested or reported and/or in developing new policies that advance the organization.
  • (e) Ability to coordinate and interact with regional facilities, national and corresponding staff for the implementation and coordination of policies and program plans to apply prioritization methodologies that align facilities' capital asset requests and develop infrastructure options that result in the efficacious use of regional level capital strategic plans.
  • (f) Ability to adapt and apply trends in healthcare delivery systems that impact long-term capital assets (such as aging equipment and physical plants) for regionally integrated healthcare systems.
  • (g) Ability to consult and collaborate with all organizational levels in a national healthcare organization, outside organizations and businesses regarding both strategic and financial activities of a regional healthcare organization.
  • (h) Ability to implement and/or sustain a capital asset and construction program that meets healthcare facility related standards, codes, policies and regulations inclusive of state and local codes.

Preferred Experience:

• 3 years experience managing construction projects for the VA or in medical facilities as a Contracting Officers Representative
• 3 years experience managing energy related projects or projects with significant energy related components including but not limited to: ESPC, UESC, Solar power, retro-commissioning, ground source heat pump, electric vehicle charging stations, Central Plant projects, etc.
• 1 year experience with Utility billing, negotiating utility contracts, etc.
• 2 years experience training/instructing maintenance staff in the energy efficient operation of high energy use equipment. Evaluation of high energy use equipment for conservation opportunities

References: VA Handbook 5005/150 Part II Appendix G72 dated March 18, 2022.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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