Healthcare Engineer
What you'd do
This position evaluates programs, construction and maintenance projects, and systems for compliance; and coordinates with Facilities Management/Maintenance staff to provide guidance in alignment with VA directives/policy and The Joint Commission (TJC) Accreditation incorporating a wide range of systems including mechanical/HVAC, plumbing, electrical, ect.
Major duties
Duties of the Healthcare Engineer include but are not limited to: The position is responsible for evaluating programs and projects to ensure compliance with environmental, safety, and security standards. The position utilizes skillsets encompassing a wide range of engineering fields including, but not limited to identifying and defining problems dealing with structures, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, sprinkler, fire and life safety, architectural, and electrical systems. Programs and evaluates potential construction and maintenance projects, including preparation of project application documents, scopes of work, design packages, justifications, and cost estimates. The position is responsible for conducting the training of facility maintenance staff on new equipment or complex utility systems to ensure the staff understands the systems and is qualified to maintain and operate them. The position provides guidance to management and staff for TJC Accreditation during Medical Center Review preparation efforts and mitigation, ensuring the facility achieves the highest level of score for the engineered medical components. The position employs technical troubleshooting techniques to evaluate data and provide in-depth forensic insights regarding the failure of specialized medical systems, utility and/or components. The position conducts investigations to obtain factual information pertaining to a variety of issues. Explores background information (literature, reports, and discussions with others having specialized knowledge of the issue) and performs code/guideline reference checks (National Fire Protection Act, International Building Code, Americans with Disabilities Act, and a multiple other related jurisdictional codes). The position refers to VA guidelines and standards, consulting with their supervisor if necessary. Effectively evaluates and clearly presents information to provide sound technical advice. The position is responsible for inspecting and coordinating the work of contractors and vendors and recommending payment, acceptance or rejection of work performed. The position analyzes problems that arise in relation to the operation and maintenance of the facility and devises the proper solution for these problems, recommends and/or seeks the special professional skill for problems beyond the technical ability of facility staff. The position generates, collects, analyzes, and verifies data required by the facility and in response to Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) and Central Office inquiries and provides the information directly to the Chief of the service, as required. Work Schedule: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM Monday - Friday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Functional Statement #: (GS-7/ 70074-F), (GS-9/ 70075-F), (GS-11/ 70076-F), Full Performance level is GS-12/ 70077-F.
What you need to qualify
Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or Architecture. To be acceptable, the curriculum must be from a school with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Engineering Accreditation Commission (excludes engineering technology) or National Council of Architectural Registration Boards curriculum. Examples of acceptable engineering and architectural degrees include, but are not limited to: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture and Architectural Engineering. Titles may vary from educational institutions and change over time; -OR- Evidence of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination with a bachelor's degree. Evidence can be in the form of an Engineering in Training certificate issued from any State, the District of Columbia, Guam or Puerto Rico, or test results from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) identifying a passing score; -OR- Evidence of current professional registration or licensure as a Professional Engineer or Architect. Evidence of current professional registration or licensure can be from any State, the District of Columbia, Guam or Puerto Rico. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Healthcare Engineer, GS-07. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Healthcare Engineer, GS-09. Experience or Education. Candidates at this level must meet one of the following: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade; OR Master of Engineering degree or Master of Architecture degree or Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field of study as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1); OR Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1) plus two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the core competencies for GS-09 level assignment. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts and practices of the engineering profession. Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines and standards to make recommendations to assure compliance with healthcare facility programs. Ability to understand the operational professional engineering needs of clinical services in the healthcare system. Ability to prepare material on current technical topics and trends for presentation to other technical staff and mid-level hospital management and to keep abreast of changes in engineering technology related to a healthcare facility. Healthcare Engineer, GS-11. Experience or Education. Candidates at this level must meet one of the following: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade; OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Engineering or a related field of engineering as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1); OR Master of Engineering degree, Master of Architecture degree, Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field of study as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1), plus 1 full year of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities for GS-11 level assignment; OR Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1) plus 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities for GS-11 level assignment. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of either mechanical, electrical, structural, civil or other engineering/architectural principles, practices and their applications in the healthcare environment. Knowledge of basic project management principles as applied to the healthcare setting. Ability to apply healthcare engineering related standards, codes, policies and regulations, inclusive of, state and local codes. Ability to communicate effective orally and in writing with internal and external customers with tact and diplomacy. Ability to develop material for clinical or administrative staff that addresses the principles and application of engineering technology and/or theory used in healthcare. Ability to advise staff on emerging engineering technology related to a healthcare facility, while keeping abreast of changes in such technology and utilizing the information to solve healthcare facility engineering challenges. Healthcare Engineer, GS-12. Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, structural, civil and other engineering/architectural principles, practices and their applications in the healthcare environment. Knowledge of healthcare industry standards and related regulatory agency and organization (including, but not limited to The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), etc.) regulations, requirements, guides, policies, procedures, directives, standards and general medical program requirements as they relate to healthcare engineering. Knowledge of construction standards, methods, practices and techniques, materials and equipment to determine compliance with engineering regulations and standards. Skill in researching and analyzing information, conditions, human factors and projections to make sound engineering and business recommendations and decisions to proactively identify problems and develop innovative solutions within the context of applicable rules, regulations and procedures. Ability to plan and execute complex, multi-faceted projects and inspections while prioritizing resources against approved scopes of work, contract documents and budgets. Ability to organize and lead multi-disciplinary task forces with members from different departments and divisions, as well as design and construction firms. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although daily physical effort shall be required, e.g., walking, standing, climbing ladders and steps, crouching, crawling, kneeling, and carrying items such as ladders, construction drawings/specifications, manuals, equipment cases, and driving or traveling by motor vehicle. Work Environment: The work environment involves risks or discomforts that require safety precautions typical of such places as boiler rooms, chiller rooms, mechanical spaces, sub-basements, construction sites, etc. Typical office work areas are adequately lighted, cooled/heated, and ventilated. The incumbent must also work outdoors in all types of weather. There may be occasional exposure to moderate risks, discomforts or hazardous waste.
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