Civil Engineer

Agriculture, Rural Development • Albuquerque, NM

5d

About The Position

This position is located in a USDA Rural Development Area or State Office in New Mexico. The incumbent performs professional civil engineering assignments involving technical principles, procedures, methods, and evaluations in support of supervised rural credit and development programs. The position is filled through the Office of Personnel Management’s Direct-Hire Authority for this occupation.

The Civil Engineer advises and consults with private groups, public bodies, and state and federal agencies on civil engineering aspects of projects funded through Rural Development loan and grant programs. The role provides technical guidance on project eligibility and priority, evaluates planning documents and Preliminary Engineering Reports, and reviews the technical merits of funding applications. The engineer also reviews and concurs on engineering-services agreements, preliminary construction plans, drawings, designs, specifications, and cost estimates; assists staff with technical and construction matters; works with staff, applicants, and consultants on project documentation; and prepares State Office procedures for engineering and related program activities.

The position requires an engineering degree or a qualifying combination of education and experience, plus qualifications appropriate to the GS-11 or GS-12 level. GS-11 candidates must meet the stated specialized-experience or education criteria, or an equivalent combination. GS-12 candidates must have one year of qualifying specialized experience at the GS-11 level or equivalent; education cannot substitute at this grade. Selectees must meet federal employment conditions, including background investigation requirements, E-Verify, and the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Successful adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of a one-year probationary period unless previously served.
• Federal payments must be made by direct deposit.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Meet the basic engineering education requirement through an acceptable engineering degree or a qualifying combination of education and experience, such as specified engineering coursework, professional registration or licensure, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering examination, or qualifying related curriculum and professional engineering experience.
• For GS-11, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 or equivalent non-federal experience involving assistance with construction-plan reviews and engineering consultation, or meet the stated graduate-education/doctoral-degree criteria; an equivalent combination of education and experience may qualify.
• For GS-12, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 or equivalent non-federal experience reviewing planning documents, Preliminary Engineering Reports, analyses, and technical recommendations for funding applications; reviewing project size, cost, design, and regulatory and cost-effectiveness compliance; and overseeing engineering records and project-management or underwriting tools. Education cannot substitute for GS-12 experience.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance; selectees are subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry and a credit report.
• If selected, submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of the initial appointment date and annually thereafter, and comply with applicable financial disclosure requirements.
• For a position with further promotion potential, follow a career development plan; promotion may occur if requirements are met and management recommends it, but is not guaranteed.

Responsibilities

• Advise and consult with private groups, public bodies, and state and federal agencies on civil engineering aspects of projects financed through Rural Development loan and grant programs.
• Provide technical guidance regarding project eligibility and priority.
• Review planning documents and Preliminary Engineering Reports, and complete analyses and recommendations concerning the technical merits of funding applications.
• Review and concur with Agreements for Engineering Services, preliminary construction plans, drawings, designs, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Assist staff with technical or construction-related matters.
• Work with staff, applicants, and consultants to assess the suitability of Preliminary Engineering Reports and other documents for funding applications and approved projects.
• Prepare State Office procedures for staff carrying out engineering and related program activities.

Benefits

• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available to eligible employees and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level