Interdisciplinary

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers•Rock Island, IL

About The Position

The Cost Engineer works in the Engineering and Construction Division, Cost Engineering and Specifications Section, and participates in multidisciplinary teams providing cost engineering and specification support for Civil Works projects. Projects range in value from approximately $250,000 to programs exceeding $1 billion and include facilities operations and maintenance, hydraulic steel structure fabrication, flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, and rehabilitation or construction of navigation structures. The position is available at GS-07, GS-09, GS-11, and GS-12. Employees selected below GS-12 receive developmental experience and training; noncompetitive promotion to the full-performance level is authorized for GS-07, GS-09, and GS-11 selections. At the GS-12 level, the employee performs the full range of cost engineering and specifications duties. Applicants must meet the applicable engineering education or combination-of-education-and-experience requirements and the specialized experience or education requirements for the selected grade. A Professional Engineer license must be obtained within one year of placement to be eligible for selection at GS-12. Appointment may require a suitability or fitness determination following a background investigation. The position requires U.S. citizenship and a one-year probationary period. Direct deposit of pay is required.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship; proof of citizenship is required.
Basic engineering qualification for Civil Engineer (0810), Mechanical Engineer (0830), or Electrical Engineer (0850): a bachelor's degree or higher in engineering meeting the stated ABET or coursework criteria, or an acceptable combination of education and experience as described in the posting.
For GS-07, meet the stated specialized-experience requirement, qualifying graduate education or superior academic achievement, or an allowed combination of education and experience.
For GS-09, meet the stated specialized-experience requirement, a master's or equivalent graduate degree, two years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or an allowed combination of education and experience.
For GS-11, meet the stated specialized-experience requirement, a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or an allowed combination of education and experience.
For GS-12, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11, including experience overseeing junior engineers or architects; participating in multidisciplinary design projects; planning, reviewing, or preparing technical specifications and cost estimates; applying contractor means-and-methods knowledge; performing and validating quantity take-offs; coordinating project schedules; using cost-estimating software; and providing technical guidance on engineering-document reviews.
Obtain a Professional Engineer license within one year of placement to be eligible for selection at GS-12.
Be able to meet suitability or fitness requirements, which may include a completed background investigation.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete the Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
If qualifying with foreign education, provide the required evaluation or evidence of U.S. academic credit.

Responsibilities

Apply professional knowledge of civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering to design and construction features when preparing cost engineering products for a variety of projects.
Prepare cost products that are organized, technically and economically sound, accurate, and compliant with regulations and project requirements.
Prepare and manage price quotes, quantity take-offs, construction estimates, schedules, work plans, parametric estimates, and technical analyses of contractor proposals; assist with contract negotiations.
Prepare engineering cost estimates for planning, design, and execution of construction projects performed by contract.
Prepare construction cost estimates and review estimates prepared by in-house personnel and contracted architects and engineers.
Review contract documents, including drawings and specifications, for completeness and provide comments and recommendations for improvement.
Advise management on and interpret regulations, directives, and policies concerning specifications and cost estimates.
Provide engineering advice, guidance, and recommendations to professional, technical, and administrative personnel.
Coordinate specification and cost-estimate work with others.
Use estimating software and tools, including Micro Computer Aided Cost Engineering System (MCACES MII).
Prepare detailed technical specifications for new work and modifications to specifications for current contracts.
Prepare cost-informed construction schedules using Primavera P6 or other advanced scheduling software.
At the full-performance level, oversee junior engineers or architects, participate in multidisciplinary design projects, and plan, review, or prepare technical specifications and cost estimates across project phases.
At the full-performance level, apply knowledge of contractor means and methods, perform and validate quantity take-offs, coordinate and perform project schedules, and provide technical guidance on engineering-document reviews.