Engineering Technician

Summary

The primary purpose of the Engineering Technician is to use computer aided software applications to plan and develop various products for projects in support of Facilities Management. The Engineering technician also updates and maintains various complex and diverse databases storing design files. Incumbents must possess a Bachelors degree in a STEM major. (Science, technology, Engineering and Mathematics), or related discipline.

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Duties

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Duties include but are not limited to:

• The Incumbent will manage several databases including both graphic (computer aided design - CAD, Statement of Conditions - SOC), and alphanumeric data (Computer-aided Facility Management - (CAFM) internal to the VA and the Medical Center. Maintains the Medical Center's hardcopy equipment operations manual, warranties, and other facility-related hardcopy filing systems that relate to the Facility Management Program.
• Preserves and updates the Medical Center CAD files and other CAFM system modules including but not limited to, electrical system single line drawings, power riser diagrams, fire protection system drawings and diagrams, medical gas system drawings and schematics, and The Joint Commission (TJC) required life Safety Drawings.
• Responsible for the supervision of the maintenance of all record drawings in accordance with VACO and Medical Center requirements.
• Maintains, updates, and reviews the station Space Survey Report for accuracy, coordinates the information to match the As-built drawings.
• Verifies drawings match actual space. Maintains accurate space inventory database in CAD and assures correlation between the drawing files and databases.
• Participates in engineering surveys and initiates, formulates, and adapts design plans and specifications.
• Independently gathers necessary architectural/engineering information and processes this information using recognized professional architectural/engineering techniques to accomplish established goals.
• Provides original detailed drawings utilizing resident CAD/CAFM computer system to provide the finished product.
• Prepares drawings, layouts, and plans for proposed additions, improvements, alterations, modifications, and equipment installations, utilizing written specifications, photographs, sketches, and models.
• Prepares drawings of utility systems, roadways, parking lots and landscaping in addition to structural requirements.
• Maintains, prepares, or coordinates the preparation of reports as directed by the supervisor and ensures proper format and timely submission.
• Delegates drawing assignments to support staff.
• Reviews work for accuracy and compliance to specifications, codes, and standards. Participates in final Inspection of assigned projects in accordance with the Handbook for Resident Engineer H-08-2.
• Complies with VA regulations, standards and specifications, policy memoranda, and other pertinent directives provided as guidelines in the performance of assigned duties.
• Meets and deals with Sales Representatives, Vendors, contractors, supply Service staff and other key members of the Medical Center staff to discuss problem areas, desired or impending renovations or construction projects, project submissions, preconstruction conferences, bid openings, and other activities directly affecting the construction and Operations Section and Engineering Service.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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

Telework: This position may be authorized for ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Engineering Technician/ PD14227-O

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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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)
• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee -Official Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting your current position or most recently held position, tenure, type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive), grade level and duty location. For current Federal employees, the SF-50 must be effective the first pay period of the current year or later.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement : Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment

Individual Occupational Requirements Series Definition: This series covers technical positions supervising, leading, or performing work involving applying a practical knowledge of the:

• methods and techniques of engineering or architecture; and
• construction, application, properties, operations, and limitations of engineering systems, processes, structures, machinery, devices, and materials.

Basic Requirements: Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 or equivalent and above): 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.

Certification: Engineering technicians may be certified by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies, an organization sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Certification by the Institute will be helpful as a measure of the technician's quality of experience

In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirements you must also meet the Specialized Experience listed below.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

Specialized Experience:

• You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Use of computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare, update, and maintain architectural, engineering, and as-built drawings and documentation for existing buildings and building systems (such as architectural, structural, civil, HVAC, electrical, or plumbing), including drawing review and coordination. Experience interpreting and creating detailed floor plans, sections, elevations, and system layouts for facilities (not component parts). Application of knowledge of building codes, construction practices, and design standards in the development and maintenance of facility as-built documents. Experience in updating and managing drawing databases and file structures for multi-discipline building projects. Familiarity with plan reading and working with various engineering and architectural teams to ensure as-built documentation accurately reflects field conditions and construction changes.
• Preferred Experience: Use of computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare, update, and maintain architectural, engineering, and as-built drawings and documentation for existing buildings and building systems (such as architectural, structural, civil, HVAC, electrical, or plumbing), including drawing review and coordination. Experience interpreting and creating detailed floor plans, sections, elevations, and system layouts for facilities (not component parts). Application of knowledge of building codes, construction practices, and design standards in the development and maintenance of facility as-built documents. Experience in updating and managing drawing databases and file structures for multi-discipline building projects. Familiarity with plan reading and working with various engineering and architectural teams to ensure as-built documentation accurately reflects field conditions and construction changes.

Note: CAD experience limited to parts, components, or machinist-level work will not be accepted unless it specifically involved drafting for buildings, facilities, or architectural/engineering design projects.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Computer Skills
• Design
• Electric Drawings
• General Engineering
• Project Management

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; religions; 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.

Note : A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some moderate physical effort may be required including walking between buildings and into spaces not regularly accessed by the public such as the pipe basement and mechanical rooms. Due to access requirements in asbestos areas, incumbent may be required to wear a respirator.

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUIS ANNOUNCEMENT until July 24, 2026. Applicants will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis until the position is filled.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

Education

No education at this level

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.