Engineering Technician

Engineering Technician

The employee will serve as an Engineering Technician located at the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in Fargo, ND. The employee performs a variety of work requiring application of technical knowledge involving various established engineering methods, procedures, techniques and practices. Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Prepare cost estimates and specifications accurately and independently for all assigned construction projects.
• Inspect construction progress on a regular basis to ensure compliance with drawings, specifications, schedule and all applicable codes.
• Develop preliminary layouts and designs into a final form of architectural, plumbing, mechanical, civil and electrical plans and specifications for a diversified number of functions available related to hospital environment.
• Conduct on-site job inspections of construction projects.
• Administer architectural/engineering (A/E) design contracts to ensure A/E conformance to project scope and design criteria, while ensuring accuracy, completeness and quality of the design work.
• Operate and be familiar with the procedures of all drafting equipment/software, reproduction equipment, engineering measuring devices, etc.
• Analyze analytical and diagnostic techniques; techniques for developing new or modified work methods, approaches or procedures and related emerging practices and methods.
• Administer construction contracts for compliance with project documents and other applicable standards, evaluates submittals and processes payment applications and invoices within the required time frames.
• Prepare and oversee the production of plans, specifications, estimates and schedules for complex projects.
• Develop and draw preliminary sketches, plot utility plans, maps, architectural plans, electrical schematics, electrical circuit plans, plumbing schematics, plumbing plans (piping layout), heating, ventilation and air conditioning system layouts, etc. with an optimal level of drafting techniques and use of the CAD system.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications To qualify for this position you must the following requirements.

GS-9

Requires one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-8) in the Federal service that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include technical work in: drafting, surveying construction estimating, physical science, mathematics, aerospace, architecture, chemicals, electrical or mechanical systems, mining, petroleum, or nuclear systems. Experience in a trade or craft may be credited as specialized experience when the work provided intensive knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents. Examples are trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities such as: Planner and estimator who analyzed designs for production purposes. Instrument maker or model maker who performed design or development work on devices fabricated. Specialized experience includes assisting with using Computer Aided Design (AutoCAD) or other drafting software systems; inspecting construction progress and work completed by contractors to ensure compliance with drawings, specifications, and applicable codes.

GS-10

Requires one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal service that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include technical work in: drafting, surveying construction estimating, physical science, mathematics, aerospace, architecture, chemicals, electrical or mechanical systems, mining, petroleum, or nuclear systems. Experience in a trade or craft may be credited as specialized experience when the work provided intensive knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents. Examples are trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities such as: Planner and estimator who analyzed designs for production purposes. Instrument maker or model maker who performed design or development work on devices fabricated. Specialized experience includes assisting with using Computer Aided Design (AutoCAD) or other drafting software systems; inspecting construction progress and work completed by contractors to ensure compliance with drawings, specifications, and applicable codes; and serving as a project team leader in planning and coordinating projects with facility staff, consultants, and contractors.

GS-11

Requires one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-10) in the Federal service that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include technical work in: drafting, surveying construction estimating, physical science, mathematics, aerospace, architecture, chemicals, electrical or mechanical systems, mining, petroleum, or nuclear systems. Experience in a trade or craft may be credited as specialized experience when the work provided intensive knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents. Examples are trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities such as: Planner and estimator who analyzed designs for production purposes. Instrument maker or model maker who performed design or development work on devices fabricated. Specialized experience includes using Computer Aided Design (AutoCAD) or other drafting software systems; inspecting construction progress and work completed by contractors to ensure compliance with drawings, specifications, and applicable codes; and serving as a project team leader in planning and coordinating projects with facility staff, consultants, and contractors.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Attention to Detail Computer Skills Design Engineering and Technology

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Physical Requirements: Most of the work is performed indoors in a well-lit, temperature and sound controlled office setting. However, the employee may be exposed to the hazards of weather, dirt, dust etc. associated with construction settings while making "on-site" inspections of assigned projects. The employee must be physically able to climb, crawl, walk, stoop, sit and stand to perform assigned duties. The employee is also expected to comply with all safety codes and other practices described in the Engineering and Safety Manuals.