Supervisory Healthcare Engineer - Chief of Projects & Operations

Veterans Health Administration • Portland, OR

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisory Healthcare Engineer serves as Chief of Projects & Operations within Facilities Management Service at the VA Portland Health Care System. The role provides supervisory leadership, professional engineering expertise, and program management oversight for planning, design, construction, renovation, and improvement of healthcare facilities, including the Vancouver Campus and associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

The position supervises the Projects & Operations Section and manages the healthcare facility design and construction program, including capital improvement projects, renovations, infrastructure improvements, and complex medical equipment installations. It provides engineering leadership and technical oversight across architectural, civil, mechanical, electrical, structural, environmental, energy, and safety engineering disciplines.

The role oversees construction administration and capital planning, manages project budgets and financial resources, and ensures compliance with applicable healthcare engineering regulations and standards. It advises facility and executive leadership and clinical personnel, coordinates multidisciplinary problem-solving, develops policies and program improvements, and represents Facilities Management Service on committees and work groups. The incumbent serves as Acting Chief of Facilities Management Service in the Chief's absence and as Acting Chief of Maintenance and Repair when designated.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The work is primarily sedentary in office-like settings, but includes outdoor work in all types of weather and occasional exposure to moderate risks or discomforts in storage areas or hazardous waste sites. Some physical effort may involve walking, standing, climbing ladders, stooping, kneeling, carrying light items, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for appointments when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or Architecture from a qualifying accredited curriculum; alternatively, a bachelor's degree and evidence of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination, or current professional registration or licensure as a Professional Engineer or Architect. Required transcripts and applicable certificates or license documentation must be submitted.
• One year of experience equivalent to GS-12 for the GS-13 grade determination.
• Knowledge of data analysis techniques for managing workload, quality, performance, and productivity.
• Knowledge of managing department resources, including finances, space, equipment, supplies, schedules, and staffing.
• Knowledge of supervisory duties, including assigning work, performance evaluations, staff selection, training and development, awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
• Skill in effective communication and managing interpersonal relationships with employees, team leaders, labor representatives, and managers.
• Ability to balance responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop effective operational solutions.
• Ability to draft or recommend local policies or directives related to healthcare engineering management.
• Ability to recognize and assess evolving scenarios and use initiative, self-direction, and assigned resources to resolve them.
• Registration with Selective Service is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation and completion of the online onboarding process and application requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel employee.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment contingent on written certification that it advances the public interest.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the Projects & Operations Section, including assigning work, setting performance standards, evaluating employees, approving leave, identifying training needs, and recommending personnel actions.
• Plan, direct, and manage healthcare facility design and construction, including capital improvement projects, renovations, infrastructure improvements, and complex medical equipment installations.
• Provide professional engineering leadership and technical oversight across architectural, civil, mechanical, electrical, structural, environmental, energy, and safety engineering disciplines.
• Oversee engineering and construction administration by reviewing plans, specifications, cost estimates, contractor submissions, schedules, and construction activities for technical adequacy and compliance.
• Direct capital planning and project development, including Strategic Capital Investment Planning (SCIP), scope development, project prioritization, cost estimating, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Manage project budgets and financial resources, including budget formulation, justification, execution, financial reporting, and recommendations for resource adjustments.
• Ensure compliance with healthcare engineering regulations and standards, including Joint Commission, OSHA, EPA, NFPA, VA construction standards, and other applicable authorities.
• Provide expert technical advice and recommendations to the Chief of Facilities Management Service, executive leadership, clinical personnel, and other stakeholders.
• Lead multidisciplinary coordination and problem-solving with engineering staff, contractors, consultants, clinical services, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and program improvements to strengthen engineering operations, use resources efficiently, and maintain safe healthcare environments.
• Represent Facilities Management Service on medical center, VISN, and national committees and work groups related to engineering, construction, and facility management.
• Serve as Acting Chief of Facilities Management Service in the Chief's absence and as Acting Chief of Maintenance and Repair when designated.

Benefits

• The job announcement describes a comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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