Engineering Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Charleston, SC

31d • Onsite

About The Position

The Engineering Technician (Incumbent) is responsible for providing technical support to all construction management and facilities record document activities. This will include performing the duties of a COR on construction projects, managing the facility record document program, evaluating and tracking project requests, acting as a liaison for in-house construction, and assisting Engineering Leadership. The incumbent works under the general supervision of a Supervisory General Engineer and has considerable latitude in work assignments, using their own judgment and initiative. The role involves acting as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for construction projects, which may range below $100,000 but can exceed this value and complexity.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must complete all required steps in the process, including an online assessment.
• Must be willing to undergo urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use.
• Must have Selective Service Registration if born after 12/31/1959.
• Must complete an online onboarding process.
• Must provide acceptable forms of identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period.
• Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade at any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
• Use of computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare, update, and maintain architectural, engineering, and as-built drawings and documentation for existing buildings and building systems (such as architectural, structural, civil, HVAC, electrical, or plumbing), including drawing review and coordination.
• Experience interpreting and creating detailed floor plans, sections, elevations, and system layouts for facilities (not component parts).
• Application of knowledge of building codes, construction practices, and design standards in the development and maintenance of facility as-built documents.
• Experience in updating and managing drawing databases and file structures for multi-discipline building projects.
• Familiarity with plan reading and working with various engineering and architectural teams to ensure as-built documentation accurately reflects field conditions and construction changes.
• Comprehensive knowledge of technical engineering methods, techniques, and principles across civil, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and environmental disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience preparing designs, specifications, and technical reviews for complex and unconventional utility systems (e.g., heating, air conditioning, plumbing, gas supply, pneumatic controls).
• Proficient in performing Contracting Officer Representative (COR) duties, including scheduling, layout of operations, field measurements, inspection, compliance monitoring, and contract documentation.
• Advanced skills in creating, updating, and maintaining engineering drawings, blueprints, shop drawings, and specifications using drafting software (e.g., AutoCAD).
• Experienced in organizing and managing facility record documentation and databases, including programming and formatting changes, ensuring data integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to conduct project scoping, field investigations, feasibility analyses, and prepare accurate cost estimates and technical reports for construction and maintenance projects.
• Proven problem-solving skills in adapting design features and engineering criteria for complex or unprecedented projects, using innovative and resourceful approaches.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for coordinating and negotiating with contractors, vendors, internal stakeholders, and external agencies, often in sensitive or complex situations.
• Strong customer service orientation, providing prompt, courteous, and knowledgeable support to VA staff, veterans, and external partners while constructively resolving conflicts.
• Thorough knowledge of relevant regulatory and safety standards, including OSHA, environmental statutes, procurement, data privacy, and VA policies, with commitment to workplace and information security.
• Physical capability to access building crawlspaces, ceilings, and roofs as needed, and compliance with required personal protective equipment (PPE) standards.
• Holds a valid driver's license and meets requirements for operating government vehicles in support of VA business operations.

Nice To Haves

• Engineering technicians may be certified by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies, an organization sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Certification by the Institute will be helpful as a measure of the technician's quality of experience.
• CAD experience limited to parts, components, or machinist-level work will not be accepted unless it specifically involved drafting for buildings, facilities, or architectural/engineering design projects.

Responsibilities

• Performing scheduling, layout of operations, field measurements, and inspection and surveillance of materials, methods, and equipment used in construction.
• Planning specific objectives for the program, including required innovations and improvisations.
• Preparing detailed cost estimates for use in obtaining project funding and bid evaluation.
• Preparing correspondence, technical reports, estimates, fact sheets, status reports and schedules as required to complete project assignments.
• Consulting with contractor personnel to resolve difficult and complex unforeseen problems and latent conditions developing during construction.
• Preparing sketches, drawings, and specifications to solve problems and incorporating these change documents into the contract performance documents.
• Reviewing and evaluating shop drawings, samples, and material certifications submitted by contractor for contract and performance requirements, recommending approval, rejection or receipt.
• Ensuring that the government receives all that it has contracted for as a steward of government funds.
• Referring requests outside of the contract to the Contracting Officer.
• Updating information required and new approvals, the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) and market research during option years.
• Providing past performance information before the CO exercises the option.
• Complying with all aspects of procurement integrity regulations related to disseminating contract information.
• Representing the Program Office as the responsible party for developing procurement packages.
• Acting as the delegated business liaison for the contract with other required personnel on station.
• Validating invoices within five (5) days of receipt against the terms of the contract and performance monitors.
• Notifying the Contracting Officer within three (3) days of receipt if the invoice is not valid.
• Ensuring compliance with invoice validation processes before invoices are certified.
• Completing training for FAC-COR certification, VHA supplemental training, and any additional training based on the complexity of contracts they administer.
• Maintaining contract administration files in accordance with VA policies and procedures.
• Being available to meet with and provide relevant contract information to station leadership in all phases of the acquisition process.
• Forwarding specific electronic files to the Contracting Officer upon expiration of the contract, including delegation of authority letter, COR Training certificate, contract copy, executed modifications, IGCE, purchase orders, IPPS payment history, invoice tracking reports, fiscal requests/approvals, QASP, COR reports, correspondence documentation, contract employee training certificates, and yearly past performance reviews.
• Certifying invoices for payment.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.
• VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed