INTERDISCIPLINARY General Engineer (Recent Graduate)

Department of Energy Headquarters • Washington, DC

5d

About The Position

The Department of Energy’s Recent Graduates Program is a one-year developmental program for recent graduates. Participants receive training and professional development, complete an Individual Development Plan, and are assigned a mentor. After successfully completing program requirements, participants may be eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a term or permanent civil service position, at the discretion of the hiring manager and employing office; conversion is not automatic or guaranteed.

The General Engineer works as a professional engineer or scientist on DOE projects, supporting higher-graded engineers. At the GS-7 level, work includes engineering or scientific assignments of limited scope and complexity, planning procedures and selecting standard practices and data, assisting with defined projects, and preparing routine reports. At the GS-9 level, work includes researching, analyzing, interpreting, evaluating, and carrying out difficult but conventional assignments; conducting preliminary analyses for larger projects; reviewing technical documents for discrepancies or potential issues; preparing conventional plans, designs, specifications, and supporting documentation; and preparing technical status reports for stakeholders. Grade and full-performance level depend on the selecting Program Office’s needs, with further details discussed during interviews.

Participants must complete the program’s training and development requirements during the one-year appointment and meet the applicable requirements for any conversion. The position requires the qualifying engineering education or an accepted education-and-experience alternative, as well as eligibility for the Recent Graduates Program. Duty locations are to be selected by applicants, who must identify their top two locations. Salary depends on duty location. Telework availability depends on mission requirements and supervisory determination.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen, National, or a Foreign National who meets applicable immigration and annual appropriations laws.
• Meet the Pathways Recent Graduate eligibility requirements, including the applicable recent-graduate, qualifying-student, or preference-eligible-veteran criteria and timing.
• Provide proof of a qualifying degree, certificate, or career or technical education program; qualifying graduates generally must have completed it within the previous two years, subject to the stated veteran exception.
• Meet the basic education requirement for the 0801 General Engineer series through an acceptable engineering degree or an accepted education-and-experience alternative.
• For GS-7, qualify through one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5, one year of graduate education, superior academic achievement with a bachelor's degree, or a qualifying combination of graduate education and experience.
• For GS-9, qualify through one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7, two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent, or a qualifying combination of graduate education and experience.
• For GS-7 specialized experience, assist in project execution using basic engineering or scientific principles and document engineering or scientific findings.
• For GS-9 specialized experience, conduct engineering or scientific research and analysis to interpret technical data for project support, and draft concise technical reports and communications for varied audiences.
• Meet eligibility and qualification requirements within four months of the announcement closing date.
• Submit transcripts and other documentation supporting education and program eligibility; official transcripts may be required before entering on duty if selected.
• Meet federal suitability requirements as determined by a background investigation.
• Sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement and serve a trial period throughout the excepted-service appointment.
• If male and born after December 31, 1959, be registered for Selective Service.
• If the position requires it, submit an OGE-450 financial disclosure report within 30 days of entering the position and annually.
• If designated as a Testing Designated Position, comply with applicant and random drug testing requirements.
• If included in DOE’s Technical Qualifications Program, complete its requirements within the specified 18-month period, or 12 months if previously qualified.
• Choose the top two duty locations to which willing to report.

Responsibilities

• Perform general engineering or scientific work of limited scope and complexity in support of DOE projects assigned to higher-graded engineers.
• Plan work procedures and select standard practices and data for engineering or scientific assignments and identified problems.
• Assist in coordinating and carrying out limited, well-defined engineering or scientific projects.
• Prepare routine engineering or scientific reports and convey factual technical data and information.
• Research, analyze, interpret, evaluate, and carry out difficult but conventional scientific or engineering assignments in support of programs and projects.
• Conduct preliminary engineering or scientific analyses to assist higher-graded staff with large and complicated projects.
• Review reports, plans, specifications, change orders, modifications, and other documents prepared by others to identify discrepancies or potential issues.
• Prepare, provide, and evaluate conventional plans, designs, design specifications, and related documentation.
• Prepare and provide input to recurring technical reports on project status and issues that may affect program or project objectives and goals.
• Complete program training and development requirements within the one-year appointment period.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Incentives may be available.

What This Job Offers

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