Healthcare Engineer

Veterans Health Administration • Battle Creek, MI

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is recruiting a Healthcare Engineer in its Facilities Management Service. The position supports and advances patient care through engineering and management work involving healthcare facilities, infrastructure, and building and utility systems. The engineer maintains COR certification to oversee administration of Facility Engineering Service architect/engineer and construction contracts.

The role covers capital asset and infrastructure planning and design, from strategic planning and concept development through design, construction, and implementation of complex buildings, utilities, and medical support systems. It includes managing project design, administering construction under VA policies and design standards and applicable industry codes, and performing construction management and post-project activities while maintaining continuity of facility operations.

The engineer also supports continuing education for clinical staff and maintenance personnel on healthcare building and utility systems, including medical gases, emergency power, and ventilation. The role contributes to the environment of care program, with particular attention to construction safety and infection control, and communicates technical information to clinical, technical, and professional audiences.

The position is based at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for 80 hours per two-week pay period. Hours may be rotated or extended based on medical center and Veteran needs. Telework and virtual work are not available. The full performance level is GS-12; applicants may be selected at GS-7 through GS-12.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or architecture from a qualifying accredited curriculum; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree plus passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination, current professional engineer or architect registration/licensure, or eligibility under the stated grandfathering provision.
• For GS-9, meet one of the specified pathways: one year of experience equivalent to GS-7; a qualifying master’s degree; or a qualifying bachelor’s degree plus two full years of related progressively higher-level graduate education, with the required core competencies.
• For GS-11, meet one of the specified pathways: one year of experience equivalent to GS-9; a qualifying doctoral degree; a qualifying master’s degree plus one full year of related progressively higher-level graduate education; or a qualifying bachelor’s degree plus three full years of related progressively higher-level graduate education, with the required competencies.
• For GS-12, at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-11 is required.
• Demonstrate engineering knowledge appropriate to the grade, including applicable engineering or architectural principles, healthcare facility standards, regulations, codes, construction methods, and project management practices.
• Demonstrate the ability to interpret standards and regulations, plan and execute complex projects and inspections, analyze information and develop sound recommendations, and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical material and advise clinical or administrative staff on engineering technology.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.
• A current, valid state-issued driver’s license is required.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and background/security investigation, complete the online onboarding and application requirements, and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Must serve a two-year trial period; continued employment is contingent on written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Education or certification/licensure requirements must be completed before hiring; transcripts or certificates must be submitted when education is used to qualify.

Nice To Haves

• Construction project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain COR certification and oversee administration of Facility Engineering Service architect/engineer and construction contracts.
• Plan and design capital assets and infrastructure throughout strategic planning, concept development, design, construction, and implementation.
• Manage healthcare engineering project design and administer construction in accordance with VA policies, design guides and manuals, master specifications, and applicable industry codes and standards.
• Manage project construction and post-project activities while ensuring continuity of building and utility services for medical facility operations.
• Assist in providing continuing education for clinical staff and maintenance personnel on building and utility systems used in healthcare delivery, including medical gases, emergency power, and ventilation.
• Communicate technical information orally and in writing to technical and professional clinical staff and other audiences.
• Assist in developing and implementing the environment of care program in accordance with Joint Commission, FDA, CAP, NFPA, and VA requirements, particularly regarding construction safety and infection control.
• Plan and execute complex, multifaceted projects and inspections, prioritizing resources against approved scopes of work, contract documents, and budgets.
• Organize and lead multidisciplinary task forces involving staff from different departments and divisions, as well as design and construction firms.
• Research and analyze information, conditions, human factors, and projections to make engineering and business recommendations and decisions; identify problems and develop solutions within applicable rules and procedures.
• Advise staff on emerging engineering technology relevant to healthcare facilities and use current technical knowledge to address facility engineering challenges.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 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 in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees with qualifying family income may receive a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, up to 25% of eligible childcare costs and subject to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• 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 can be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.

What This Job Offers

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