General Engineer

National Cemetery Administration • Oakland, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at the West District Office in Oakland, California. The General Engineer serves as a General Project Engineer responsible for engineering analysis, development, design, and preparation of complete plans and specifications for new engineering projects within the West District Office (WSD). The engineer assists the Supervisory General Engineer with oversight of WSD construction projects and independently determines the actions needed to develop and complete design projects. Assignments cover all engineering design phases of complex construction, expansion, alteration, maintenance, and repair projects, and may involve coordinating non-VA architects, engineers, technicians, and other project staff.

The position works with Project Engineers, Resident Engineers, National Cemetery Administration Central Office Project Managers, Cemetery Directors, and WSD staff. It provides engineering expertise for special studies, cost comparisons, landscape plans, and other Non-Recurring Maintenance and Maintenance & Repair projects. The engineer must apply broad engineering knowledge to problems encountered in national cemeteries and account for geographic concerns in the WSD, as well as relevant local, county, state, and federal building, safety, fire, and environmental codes.

In addition to WSD construction work, the engineer provides guidance and support to program officials in the Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office and throughout the National Cemetery Administration on national cemetery design and construction. The position is generally performed in an office, with field work involving physical exertion. The work schedule may be Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or after hours when necessary to meet agency needs. A compressed or flexible schedule may be available.

Requirements

• Meet the basic professional engineering requirement through an acceptable engineering degree, or an approved combination of education and experience as specified in the announcement.
• For the degree route, have a bachelor's degree in engineering from a school with at least one ABET-accredited program, or meet the specified engineering science coursework requirements.
• For the education-and-experience route, demonstrate the required engineering science foundation through an accepted option, such as current EI/EIT or PE registration or licensure, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering examination, qualifying coursework, or an eligible related curriculum with at least one year of professional engineering experience under professional engineering supervision and guidance.
• Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12, including experience relevant to land development and cemetery planning, design, and construction; reviewing engineering reports and design documents; negotiating with architects and engineers; developing or revising engineering standards; contracting and specifications; quality assurance; construction and planning practices; cost factoring; energy applications; standard trade practices; and assessing public sites, ecology, and the environment.
• Submit a transcript to verify the engineering degree requirement; education must be accredited by an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Complete a background and suitability investigation; designated or random drug testing may be required.
• Pass a pre-employment medical examination.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements if applicable.
• Complete required application materials and the online onboarding process, and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.
• Be able to perform field work that may involve extended standing and walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, climbing ladders, and reaching.
• Demonstrate the competencies of Computer Skills, Planning and Evaluating, Project Management, Technical Competence, and Writing.

Responsibilities

• Conduct engineering analysis and develop and design new engineering projects within the West District Office.
• Prepare complete plans and specifications for engineering projects.
• Assist the Supervisory General Engineer in overseeing West District Office construction projects.
• Determine and coordinate the actions, project staff, and work needed to develop and complete design projects, including work with non-VA architects, engineers, and technicians.
• Work on engineering design phases for complex construction, expansion, alteration, maintenance, and repair projects.
• Provide engineering expertise for special studies, cost comparisons, landscape plans, and other Non-Recurring Maintenance and Maintenance & Repair projects.
• Apply engineering knowledge to problems encountered in national cemeteries, including geographic concerns relevant to the West District Office.
• Remain alert to and account for applicable local, county, state, and federal building, safety, fire, and environmental codes.
• Provide guidance and support to Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office and National Cemetery Administration program officials on national cemetery design and construction.
• Work with Project Engineers, Resident Engineers, Central Office Project Managers, Cemetery Directors, and West District Office staff.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

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