Summary The position serves as a Healthcare Engineer at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System, San Francisco VA Healthcare System. This position performs project planning, produces designs, manages designs, manages construction, and provides construction administration for Minor Construction Projects, Non-­Recurring Maintenance Projects, Station Level Projects, and Leases, including all areas and aspects(architectural, electrical, life safety, mechanical, civil, structural, etc.). Responsibilities Healthcare Engineers provide overarching professional services focusing on engineering and/or architecture involved in all aspects of the healthcare delivery processes and systems. They ensure the appropriate infrastructure, facilities and equipment are available for the medical mission. Healthcare Engineers are a specialized subset of more broadly defined professional engineering or architect occupations with general or specialty area degrees ( e.g., general engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, architecture, architectural engineering, etc.). Healthcare Engineers collaborate with biomedical engineers to provide seamless integration of medical technology into the patient care environment. Healthcare Engineers specify the spatial layouts, infrastructure and environmental requirements to enable medical equipment integration into the healthcare facility. Healthcare Engineers must understand functional relationships in how clinicians, patients and supplies circulate within the treatment space where the medical equipment is located. Using healthcare engineering knowledge, they plan and design custom site preparation requirements for medical equipment, including installation. The Healthcare Engineer determines requirements, reconnaissance, location, and prepares designs, specifications and estimates. Applies a broad knowledge of the conventional methods, precedents, and standards. Complex situations occur requiring adaptation or modification of precedents typical of the work environment. Conducts investigations to develop improved design of materials and methods. Explores background information (literature, reports, and discussions with others having specialized knowledge of the issue) and consults with supervisor in evaluating information and selecting approaches to study the issue. Prepares designs characterized by a variety of conditions. Prepares original designs and preliminary and final layouts. Coordinates assignments with other agency engineers and architects responsible for related features. Reviews architect-engineer plans and specifications for adequacy and feasibility. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. *Grandfathering Provision. Under How to Apply Foreign Education. To be creditable, engineering, architecture or related education completed outside the U.S. must be submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to a Bachelor's degree as outlined under education. English Language Proficiency. Healthcare Engineer candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U. S. C. 7403(f). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be met. GS-07 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. 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; OR Bachelor's degree 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. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): (1) Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts and practices of the engineering profession. (2) Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines and standards to make recommendations to assure compliance with healthcare facility programs. (3) Ability to understand the operational professional engineering needs of clinical services in the healthcare system. (4) 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. GS-11Experience 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. OR Master of Engineering degree, Master of Architecture degree, Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field of study, 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 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. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (1) Knowledge of either mechanical, electrical, structural, civil or other engineering /architectural principles, practices and their applications in the healthcare environment. (2) Knowledge of basic project management principles as applied to the healthcare setting. (3) Ability to apply healthcare engineering related standards, codes, policies and regulations, inclusive of, state and local codes. (4) Ability to communicate effective orally and in writing with internal and external customers with tact and diplomacy. (5) Ability to develop material for clinical or administrative staff that addresses the principles and application of engineering technology and/or theory used in healthcare. (6) 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. GS-12Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.In addition to meeting the experience requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: (1) Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, structural, civil and other engineering/architectural principles, practices and their applications in the healthcare environment. (2) 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. (3) Knowledge of construction standards, methods, practices and techniques, materials and equipment to determine compliance with engineering regulations and standards. (4) 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. (5) Ability to plan and execute complex, multi-faceted projects and inspections while prioritizing resources against approved scopes of work, contract documents and budgets. (6) Ability to organize and lead multi-disciplinary task forces with members from different departments and divisions, as well as design and construction firms. References: VA Handbook 5005/150, Part II, Appendix G72.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-07 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Work requires walking, standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in tiring and uncomfortable positions. Frequently lifts and carries parts and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds and occasionally handles items weighing up to 100 Pounds. Personal assistance and/or lifting devices are used when appropriate to prevent injury. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.