Healthcare Engineer

Summary 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, etc. Qualifications 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. The curriculum must be accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology—Engineering Accreditation Commission (excludes engineering technology) or the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Acceptable 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—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—including 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 must meet one of the following: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade; OR Master of Engineering, Master of Architecture, or Master of Science in Engineering or a related field; OR Bachelor’s degree plus two full years of progressively higher‑level graduate education in a related field. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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; Ability to understand the operational professional engineering needs of clinical services; Ability to prepare material on current technical topics and trends for presentation to other technical staff and mid‑level hospital management; Ability to stay abreast of changes in engineering technology related to a healthcare facility. Healthcare Engineer – GS‑11: Experience or Education: Candidates 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; OR Master of Engineering, Master of Architecture, or Master of Science in Engineering plus one full year of progressively higher‑level graduate education; OR Bachelor’s degree plus three full years of progressively higher‑level graduate education. KSAs: Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, or other engineering/architectural principles and practices; Knowledge of basic project management principles; Ability to apply healthcare engineering related standards, codes, policies, and regulations incl. state and local codes; Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with internal and external customers with tact and diplomacy; Ability to develop material for clinical or administrative staff addressing principles and application of engineering technology; Ability to advise staff on emerging engineering technology and apply it to solve facility engineering challenges. Healthcare Engineer – GS‑12: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. KSAs: Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, and other engineering/architectural principles and practices; Knowledge of healthcare industry standards and regulatory agencies (including TJC, OSHA, NFPA, etc.); Knowledge of construction standards, methods, practices and materials; Skill in researching and analyzing information to make sound engineering and business recommendations; Ability to plan and execute complex, multi‑faceted projects and inspections; Ability to organize and lead multidisciplinary task forces with members from different departments and construction firms. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit 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, but daily physical effort—walking, standing, climbing ladders and steps, crouching, crawling, kneeling, carrying items such as ladders, construction drawings, equipment—will be required. The incumbent must also work outdoors in all types of weather and may have occasional exposure to moderate risks, discomforts, or hazardous waste. Work Environment: The work environment involves risks or discomforts that require safety precautions typical of boiler rooms, chiller rooms, mechanical spaces, sub‑basements, construction sites, etc. Typical office work areas are adequately lighted, cooled/heated, and ventilated. Duties Evaluate programs and projects to ensure compliance with environmental, safety, and security standards. Apply skillsets across a wide range of engineering fields—including structures, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, sprinkler, fire and life safety, architectural, and electrical systems. Prepare and evaluate construction and maintenance projects, including project application documents, scopes of work, design packages, justifications, and cost estimates. Conduct training of facility maintenance staff on new equipment or complex utility systems. Provide guidance to management and staff for TJC Accreditation during Medical Center Review preparation efforts and mitigation. Employ technical troubleshooting techniques to evaluate data and provide forensic insights regarding failures of specialized medical systems. Investigate issues, explore background information, and perform code/guideline reference checks using national and local codes. Refer to VA guidelines and standards and consult with supervisors as necessary. Present information clearly to provide sound technical advice. Inspect and coordinate the work of contractors and vendors and recommend payment, acceptance, or rejection of work performed. Analyze problems arising in the operation and maintenance of the facility and devise proper solutions, seeking professional skill when needed. Generate, collect, analyze, and verify data required by the facility and for inquiries from Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) and Central Office, providing information directly to the Chief of the service. Work Schedule 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Monday – Friday. Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus) Not Authorized. Paid Time Off 37 – 50 days of annual paid time off per year (13 – 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays). 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, up to a monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement and Insurance Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % in contributions by VA. Health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). Telework and Virtual Position 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr