Healthcare Engineer

Veterans Health Administration • Grand Island, NE

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Performs project planning, design production and management, construction management, and construction administration for minor construction, Non-Recurring Maintenance (NRM), station-level, and lease projects at an assigned medical center and its associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Projects may involve architecture, electrical systems, life safety, mechanical systems, civil and structural engineering, and other facility disciplines.

Provides engineering support to the healthcare system, including planning and design oversight and administration of professional architecture/engineering and construction contracts. Ensures contractors meet contractual requirements, applicable healthcare regulations and codes, specifications, schedules, and government requirements for VA-owned and leased facilities. Maintains construction specifications and drawings and a technical reference library of applicable codes, standards, and regulations.

Serves as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for professional design and construction projects and as chairperson of a multidisciplinary Integrated Project Team (IPT). Provides technical and administrative assistance to service staff, trains staff on technical issues, and participates in collaborative planning and management decisions aligned with the healthcare system’s strategic plan. Maintains COR certification and VA Facility Engineering/Construction (FE-C) certification.

Plans and manages capital-asset and infrastructure projects across their full lifecycle, from strategic planning and concept development through design, construction, implementation, and post-project activities. Applies VA policies, design guides, manuals, master specifications, and relevant industry codes and standards, while maintaining continuity of building and utility services for medical facility operations. Helps provide continuing education for clinical and maintenance staff on building and utility systems used in healthcare delivery. Determines project requirements for the healthcare system, including the parent site and off-site VA-owned or leased locations, based on organizational and departmental needs, guidelines, standards, regulations, and mission priorities.

The full performance level is GS-12; vacancies may be filled at GS-7 through GS-12. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, with varied options between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.; schedule options are discussed with the supervisor. Compressed or flexible schedules may be available. Telework is ad hoc only, at the supervisor’s discretion; this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or Architecture from an appropriately accredited program; or a bachelor's degree plus evidence of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination; or current professional registration or licensure as a Professional Engineer or Architect.
• For GS-09: meet the basic requirements and have one year of experience equivalent to GS-7, or qualifying graduate education as specified in the announcement.
• For GS-11: meet the basic requirements and have one year of experience equivalent to GS-9, or qualifying doctoral or graduate education as specified in the announcement.
• For GS-12: meet the basic requirements and have at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-11.
• Demonstrate engineering knowledge and the ability to apply relevant healthcare facility codes, standards, policies, and regulations; communicate effectively; prepare or present technical material; and address engineering challenges in a healthcare facility, at the applicable grade level.
• At GS-12, demonstrate knowledge of engineering and architectural principles, healthcare industry standards and regulatory requirements, and construction standards, methods, materials, and equipment.
• At GS-12, demonstrate skill in research and analysis, sound recommendations and decisions, and proactive problem-solving within applicable rules and procedures.
• At GS-12, demonstrate the ability to plan and execute complex projects and inspections, prioritize resources against scopes, contracts, and budgets, and organize and lead multidisciplinary task forces.
• Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, onboarding, acceptable identification, and participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Meet the applicable grade-level experience, education, and knowledge, skills, and abilities requirements.

Responsibilities

• Plan healthcare system projects and contribute to their design and oversight.
• Administer architecture/engineering and construction contracts, ensuring compliance with contractual requirements, healthcare regulations and codes, specifications, schedules, and government requirements.
• Provide engineering support and maintain construction specifications, drawings, and a technical reference library of applicable codes, standards, and regulations.
• Serve as Contracting Officer Representative (COR) on professional design and construction projects and maintain COR certification.
• Serve as chairperson of multidisciplinary Integrated Project Teams and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Train service staff on technical issues and assist with technical and administrative matters related to facility infrastructure operations.
• Plan and design capital-asset and infrastructure projects from strategic planning and concept development through design, construction, and implementation.
• Manage project design and construction in accordance with VA policies, design guides, manuals, master specifications, and applicable industry codes and standards.
• Manage construction and post-project activities while ensuring continuity of building and utility services for medical facility operations.
• Assist with continuing education for clinical staff and maintenance personnel on building and utility systems used in healthcare delivery.
• Determine healthcare project requirements for the parent medical center and associated off-site VA-owned or leased locations.
• Maintain VA Facility Engineering/Construction (FE-C) certification.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, for qualifying birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income, child eligibility, and monthly maximum limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

What This Job Offers

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