Civil Engineer

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel in the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: This is a civil engineer developmental position. Applicant may be hired at any grade level at GS-7/9/11 or 12. Performs estimating/drafting/designing work for the Engineering Division, Design Branch, of the Directorate of Public Works.

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Duties

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• Serve as a senior civil engineer and subject-matter expert (SME) within DPW, responsible for planning, designing, and overseeing highly complex, mission-critical DoD construction and infrastructure projects.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams (civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, architectural) while coordinating design integration across DPW Divisions and external partners such as USACE and AE firms.
• Develop engineering solutions for unique military facility requirements where UFC guidance must be adapted, augmented, or engineered from first principles due to complexity or mission sensitivity.
• Provide authoritative technical review, quality assurance, and engineering approval of civil engineering design plans and environmental permit applications prior to formal submission to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).
• Direct the specialized infrastructure safety and inspection program, managing scheduled bridge, rail, airfield, and dam inspections; evaluates highly complex inspection findings to prioritize repair, modernization, and funding strategies.
• Provide expert technical review and approval of AE designs, ensuring compliance with DoD engineering criteria, antiterrorism/force protection (AT/FP) standards, environmental requirements, and installation master plans.
• Senior DPW project manager or COR for high-visibility Military Construction, Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization, or OM projects, managing technical execution, contractor performance, schedules, budgets, and risk.
• Advise installation leadership on infrastructure health, long-range facility planning, investment strategies, and engineering policy recommendations, often representing DPW during command briefings.
• Resolve high-impact engineering, contractual, and funding issues, ensuring project continuity and compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and DoD guidance.
• Provide authoritative guidance to engineers, technicians, and contracting staff, shaping DPW engineering practices, standards, and design procedures.
• Here and below at the GS-11
  • Serve as a DPW design engineer responsible for full-scope civil/structural engineering design, including criteria development, detailed calculations, complete drawings, specifications, and IGEs
• Conduct complex engineering analyses of existing DoD facilities, including load capacity assessments, foundation evaluations, geotechnical reviews, and utility impacts
• Develop design packages that integrate structural, civil, utilities, and life-safety requirements according to UFC, UFGS, IBC, National Electrical Code, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, ADA, and DoD installation design guides
• Review civil engineering design plans and specifications for regulatory compliance, and prepares, coordinates, and packages submittals for review and permit approval by the Maryland Department of the Environment and other external regulatory bodies
• Coordinate/oversee specialized infrastructure inspection programs including bridge, rail, airfield pavements, and dam inspections ensuring structural safety standards are met, inspections comply with DoD, Army, and federal regulatory reporting cycles
• Manage assigned construction projects as DPW's technical representative, resolving engineering issues, clarifying design intent, and coordinating with contractors and USACE as required.
• Review AE final designs, resolving discrepancies and ensuring alignment with mission requirements, installation development plans, and DPW engineering policies.
• Provide technical support to DPW Operations Division by troubleshooting complex facility issues such as drainage failures, structural degradation, utility conflicts, or soil/foundation problems.
• Mentor junior engineers and engineering technicians, providing technical direction on DPW design processes, UFC implementation, and engineering decision-making.
• Prepare engineering justifications and documentation required for project approval by installation leadership, Garrison staff, USACE district offices, or State authorities. GS-9 and GS-7 see Benefits section.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance for the duration of employment.
• Lift up to 30 lbs.
• TDY 5% to visit worksites.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period unless already service in accordance with regulations.
• Completion of OGE-450 Financial Disclosure.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for civil engineering:

A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); OR (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

OR

B. Combination of Education and Experience: College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure - Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.

2. Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or any other written test required for professional registration, by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.

3. Specified academic courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in A above. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program.

4. Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

IN ADDITION TO THE EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR THIS POSITION, YOU MUST ALSO:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR GS-07 GRADE LEVEL:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Assist senior engineers by gathering basic field data for structural or site civil inspections of buildings, warehouses and/or installation facilities; 2) Participate in site visits to observe construction and learn inspection procedures; 3) Review standard drawings and engineering details to verify accuracy; and 4) Operate a computer using engineering software.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

OR

Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: engineering.

OR

Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:

(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR

(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR

(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add two percentages.

Education

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR THE GS-09 GRADE LEVEL :

1. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: Conduct structural or site civil inspections and prepare draft inspection summaries for review.; 2) Prepare draft specifications and design details for renovation of repair projects.; 3) Monitor small portions of construction work to document progress and identify obvious deviations from plans.; and 4) Review contract submittals for completeness and compliance with basic requirements.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

OR

Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as engineering

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add two percentages.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL:

1. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: Conduct structural or site civil inspections of various facilities to identify deficiencies, prepare inspection reports, and provide solutions.; 2) Prepare engineering drawings, design calculations, and technical specifications.; 3) Perform engineering studies to support new construction, renovation, and repair projects., and 4) Support contract administration by reviewing technical submittals, evaluating contractor performance and reporting issues to the COR.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

OR

Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: engineering.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add two percentages.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL :

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Provide project planning, design, and contract oversight. 2) Independently plan and conduct structural or site civil inspections for facilities and prepare official inspection reports. 3) Prepare and/or review engineering designs, specifications, calculations and cost estimates for projects. and 4) Conduct construction inspections, resolve field design issues, and ensure adherence to structural standards and contract requirements.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service GS-11.

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience aloneno substitution of education for experience is permitted.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is a Construction Engineering, Infrastructure Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit for more information.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
• The following special programs/incentives MAY be offered if it is appropriate to the position being filled and in the best interest of the government:
  • Recruitment Incentives
  • Relocation Incentives
  • Student Loan Repayment
  • Salary negotiations for those candidates who are new to Federal service may be authorized.
  • Credit for prior non-federal work experience and certain military service for determining annual leave accrual rate may be authorized.

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.

DUTIES AT THE GS-0810-09 GRADE LEVEL

• Independently performs civil and structural engineering tasks for DPW O&M and minor construction projects, preparing portions of design analyses, plans, and specifications.
• Conducts engineering evaluations of facility components (e.g., structural systems, pavements, utilities) to assess condition and recommend repair or modification options.
• Supports specialized infrastructure inspection programs (bridge, rail, airfield, and dam inspections) by coordinating scheduled site access with operations staff, compiling historical inspection reports, and documenting newly identified deficiencies.
• Supports DPW project development by preparing design packages for in-house execution or architect-engineer (AE) contracts.

• DUTIES AT THE GS-0810-07 GRADE LEVEL
• Assists DPW engineers by gathering field data, performing basic civil/structural calculations, and preparing preliminary CADD drawings or markups.
• Supports routine facility inspections , documenting existing conditions of buildings, pavements, grounds, and utility systems for use in planning and design.
• Assists senior engineers during specialized inspections of installation infrastructure (including bridges, rail assets, airfield pavements, and dams) by taking field measurements, capturing photographs, and recording notes on structural conditions.

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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.