Civil Engineer (Geotechnical)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • New York, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to a competitive-service position. The Civil Engineer (Geotechnical) works under the general supervision of the Chief, Civil Design Section. Assignments are received through planning or construction directives from headquarters, supplemented by general objectives from the supervisor.

The position develops and reviews geotechnical designs and supporting materials for foundations, structures, and flood-control projects. Work includes investigating soil and subsurface conditions, establishing design criteria, evaluating field and laboratory data, and preparing engineering reports. The role also applies value-engineering principles to identify alternatives and cost reductions.

The position requires a valid state driver's license to operate vehicles and the ability to carry equipment and conduct field investigations in varying weather. Field duties can involve walking on rough or uneven surfaces, climbing, stooping, bending, and entering confined spaces while using hard hats and other appropriate safety gear. The USACE New York District is scheduled to relocate from 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY, to Three 2nd Street, Jersey City, NJ, in March 2027; the employee will be required to work from the new location after the move.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must meet the basic education requirement for the Civil Engineer, 0810 series: an engineering degree meeting the stated ABET or coursework criteria, or an acceptable combination of education and experience demonstrating the required engineering knowledge.
• Must meet the applicable specialized-experience qualification for the grade level sought. GS-09 and GS-11 allow specified combinations of experience and graduate education; GS-12 requires the specified experience and does not allow education substitution for experience.
• GS-09 specialized experience includes applying basic civil-engineering principles to routine calculations; assisting with field visits, soil-boring observations, or geotechnical data organization; and using CAD, engineering spreadsheets, or databases for geotechnical data, simple drawings, or routine report sections.
• GS-11 specialized experience includes performing basic or recurring geotechnical calculations under guidance; assisting with soil explorations, sample logging, or laboratory coordination; and participating in site visits or inspections and drafting basic engineering reports, profiles, or monitoring logs.
• GS-12 specialized experience includes collaborating on soil-exploration programs; assisting with foundation or earth-retaining-structure designs, plans, and specifications, including soil profiles or basic subsurface analyses; and conducting site visits or inspections of civil-works or military geotechnical structures.
• Must possess or obtain and maintain a valid driver's license issued by one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination based on a completed background investigation.
• Appointment is subject to a one-year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the applicable requirements.
• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• If using foreign education to qualify, credentials must be evaluated by an appropriate private organization as equivalent to accredited U.S. education, or full credit must have been given for the courses by a U.S.-accredited college or university.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate the preparation of designs, plans, specifications, and comparative cost estimates for foundations and structures.
• Prepare or direct the preparation of soil profiles; analyze field-investigation results and review soil-mechanics laboratory tests.
• Conduct studies to establish design limits and criteria.
• Perform special analyses of subsurface conditions, including bearing capacity, settlement, plastic deformation, stress distribution, seepage, permeability, and consolidation.
• Apply engineering and technical expertise in design and design review to eliminate gold-plating or develop cost-reducing alternatives through value engineering.
• Prepare engineering reports on geological materials, investigations, and soil foundations for floodwalls, levees, dikes, pumping stations, and related flood-control structures.
• Conduct site investigations and field visits, which may include observing soil-boring operations and collecting or organizing geotechnical data.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Student loan repayment, advance in-hire, and relocation incentives may be authorized.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized subject to applicable regulations and an agency determination.

What This Job Offers

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