Civil Engineer- (Direct Hire)

Agriculture, Rural Development • Dover, DE

1d

About The Position

This position is located in an Area or State Office within USDA Rural Development (RD). The incumbent develops familiarity with diverse assignments requiring professional civil engineering knowledge, including activities, procedures, principles, techniques, and evaluations used to support supervised rural credit and development programs. The position is filled through the Office of Personnel Management’s Direct-Hire Authority for this occupation.

The engineer reviews planning documents and Preliminary Engineering Reports (PERs), and prepares analyses and recommendations regarding the technical merit of funding applications. The role also includes participating in construction conferences, meetings, inspections, and warranty inspections; developing state-specific engineering policies in coordination with the National Office; advising and training staff on civil engineering and related Rural Development engineering activities; and preparing reports and maintaining engineering records, references, working materials, and electronic project-management and underwriting tools.

Applicants must meet the basic engineering education or equivalent qualification requirements and the applicable specialized experience or education requirements for the GS-11 or GS-12 level. The position requires U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status, satisfactory completion of applicable background checks, and the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance. A one-year probationary period is required unless previous federal service is creditable.

Requirements

• Meet the basic engineering qualification requirement through an engineering degree meeting the stated criteria, or an accepted combination of education and experience, registration or licensure, written examination, specified coursework, or related curriculum and professional engineering experience.
• For GS-11, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-09, three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in directly related coursework, or an appropriate combination. Specialized experience includes assisting with reviews of construction project plans, drawings, designs, specifications, and cost estimates; consulting on civil or environmental engineering and architectural aspects; and assisting with engineering, planning, and design services for projects such as housing, wastewater facilities, businesses, or community facilities.
• For GS-12, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-11, including extensive experience reviewing construction project plans, drawings, designs, specifications, and cost estimates; consulting on civil or environmental engineering and architectural aspects; and providing advisory and technical services in engineering, planning, and design for projects such as housing, wastewater facilities, businesses, or community facilities.
• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Pass applicable background investigation and/or fingerprint checks and the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Use direct deposit for federal payments.
• Serve a one-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable.
• If relying on education to meet qualifications, submit a transcript with the application.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance; if selected, complete a National Agency Check and Inquiry and a credit report.
• If selected, submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of the initial appointment and annually thereafter, and comply with applicable financial disclosure requirements.

Responsibilities

• Review planning documents and Preliminary Engineering Reports and prepare analyses and recommendations on the technical merit of funding applications.
• Attend pre-construction conferences, monthly construction meetings, substantial completion and pre-final inspections, and warranty inspections.
• Develop state-specific engineering policies and work with the National Office to obtain approval of those documents.
• Advise and train staff on civil engineering and other engineering-related activities of Rural Development programs, including architecture.
• Prepare required reports and oversee the establishment and maintenance of engineering records, references, working materials, and electronic project-management and underwriting tools.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

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