Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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:
Citizenship: U.S. citizenship required. Non-citizens may only be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited, per VA Policy.
Language: Must be proficient in spoken and written English per 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or Architecture, from a curriculum accredited by ABET's Engineering Accreditation Commission (excludes engineering technology) or NCARB. Acceptable degrees include, but are not limited to, Electrical, Mechanical, Biomedical, or Civil Engineering, and Architecture/Architectural Engineering (titles may vary by institution); OR
Passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam with a bachelor's degree (evidenced by an EIT certificate from any state, DC, Guam, or Puerto Rico, or NCEES test results); OR
Current professional registration/licensure as a Professional Engineer or Architect from any state, DC, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
May qualify under the Grandfathering Provision in the VA Qualification Standard (current VHA employees in this occupation who meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations:
GS-7: None beyond basic requirements.
GS-9: One year of experience at the GS-7 level; OR a Master's/M.S. in Engineering or a related field; OR a qualifying Bachelor's degree plus 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field, provided the applicant's background demonstrates GS-9 core competencies. AND Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of engineering principles, theories, and practices; ability to interpret codes, regulations, and standards to ensure compliance with healthcare facility programs; understanding of clinical services' engineering needs within a healthcare system; ability to prepare technical material for presentation to staff and mid-level management; and ability to stay current on healthcare-related engineering technology.
GS-11: One year of experience at the GS-9 level; OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Engineering or a related field; OR a qualifying Master's degree plus 1 additional year of progressively higher-level graduate education; OR a qualifying Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education - provided the applicant's background demonstrates GS-11 KSAs. AND KSAs: Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, or other engineering/architectural principles and their healthcare applications; knowledge of basic project management in healthcare settings; ability to apply relevant codes, standards, and regulations (including state/local); ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with tact and diplomacy; ability to develop technical material for clinical/administrative staff; and ability to advise on emerging engineering technology while staying current in the field.
GS-12: One year of experience equivalent to GS-11 in Healthcare Engineering (Electrical Engineer), including but not limited to: extensive experience in electrical design/engineering of low-, medium-, and high-voltage systems in active healthcare or complex commercial medical facilities; ability to prepare, read, and interpret complex architectural/engineering drawings across disciplines (Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire Protection); working knowledge of NFPA, OSHA, and ANSI standards in medical environments; implementing energy conservation/sustainability goals (e.g., VA GEMS program); and providing expert analysis on engineering construction, cost estimation, and infrastructure feasibility in clinical settings.
AND KSAs: Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, and other engineering/architectural principles and their healthcare applications; knowledge of healthcare industry standards and regulatory requirements (TJC, OSHA, NFPA, etc.); knowledge of construction standards, methods, and materials for compliance determination; skill in researching and analyzing information to make sound engineering/business recommendations and proactively solve problems; and ability to plan and execute complex, multi-faceted projects/inspections while managing resources, budgets, and multi-disciplinary teams across departments and design/construction firms.
Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate will possess substantial, hands-on design experience in Plumbing, Fire Protection, and Medical Gas Systems, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality, code-compliant engineering solutions. This individual should have a deep understanding of system layout, equipment selection, and specification development, as well as experience coordinating with multidisciplinary teams throughout all project phases, from conceptual design and documentation to construction administration and commissioning. Familiarity with relevant industry codes, standards, and best practices, particularly those specific to healthcare and commercial environments is essential. The candidate's expertise will be pivotal in ensuring robust, safe, and efficient infrastructure to meet the unique demands of modern medical facilities.
Reference:
Full performance level: GS-12.
Physical Requirements: Work is primarily office-based and sedentary, with normal safety precautions and occasional outdoor duty in all weather, plus rare exposure to moderate hazards in storage or hazardous waste-site areas. Some physical activity may be required, such as walking, standing, climbing ladders, stooping, kneeling, carrying light items (e.g., manuals), or driving.
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/.
Additional information
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.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
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.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.