Healthcare Engineer-Future Operations

Veterans Health Administration • Omaha, NE

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Healthcare Engineer assists with project planning, design development, and construction management and administration for minor construction, non-recurring maintenance, station-level projects, and leases at the Omaha, Nebraska VA Medical Center and associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics. The work spans architectural, electrical, life-safety, mechanical, civil, structural, and other engineering areas for VA-owned and leased facilities.

The position provides engineering support to the healthcare system, administers professional architecture/engineering and construction contracts, and serves as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) on professional design and construction projects. The engineer supports capital asset and infrastructure planning from initial strategic planning and concept development through design, construction, implementation, and post-project activities, while helping maintain continuity of building and utility services for medical facility operations.

The role includes leading multidisciplinary project teams, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, maintaining project documentation and technical references, and providing information to service leadership about capital planning and project status. The engineer also supports continuing education for clinical staff and maintenance personnel on building and utility systems used in healthcare delivery. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; telework is ad hoc at the supervisor’s discretion, and the position is not virtual.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Proficiency in written and spoken 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 applicable experience or education pathway: at least one year equivalent to GS-7, a qualifying master's degree, or a qualifying bachelor's degree plus two full years of related graduate education.
• For GS-11, meet the applicable experience or education pathway: at least one year equivalent to GS-9, a qualifying doctorate, a qualifying master's degree plus one full year of related graduate education, or a qualifying bachelor's degree plus three full years of related graduate education.
• For GS-12, at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-11.
• Demonstrate knowledge of engineering or architectural principles and their application in healthcare environments, applicable codes and standards, and healthcare engineering requirements at the applicable grade level.
• Demonstrate project-management knowledge and the ability to plan and execute complex projects and inspections, manage resources against scopes, contracts, and budgets, and organize and lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication with internal and external customers, and the ability to develop and present technical material to clinical, administrative, and technical staff.
• Meet applicable background/security investigation and onboarding requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a Department of Veterans Affairs health care personnel employee.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• A pre-employment examination or evaluation may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Direct healthcare experience is not required; engineering experience in a hospital or healthcare system may help demonstrate relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Prior work experience or military service may be considered for annual leave accrual credit, subject to request and approval.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning, design, and oversight of healthcare system projects.
• Administer professional architecture/engineering and construction contracts, ensuring contractors meet 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.
• Perform Contracting Officer Representative duties for professional design and construction projects, maintaining COR certification.
• Train service staff on technical issues and assist with technical and administrative matters related to medical facility infrastructure operations.
• Serve as chairperson of Integrated Project Teams comprising multidisciplinary internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in planning and management decision-making to support healthcare system strategic plan goals.
• Provide service leadership with capital planning information and updates on assigned project activities.
• Develop initial concept documents and create and maintain project and lease applications in VA database systems, including VSSC, the Strategic Capital Investment Planning Tool, and Capital Assets Inventory.
• Track and manage project status, changes, and updates throughout project life cycles.
• Conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning and design, from strategic planning and concept development through design, construction, and implementation of buildings, utilities, and medical support systems.
• Manage healthcare engineering project design and construction in accordance with VA policies and procedures, VA design guidance, VA master specifications, and applicable industry codes and standards.
• Perform construction management and post-project activities while ensuring continuity of building and utility services.
• Assist with continuing education for clinical staff and maintenance personnel on building and utility systems used in healthcare delivery.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 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 birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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