Healthcare Engineer

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.

01Basic 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. (1) 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 (2) 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 (3) 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).

02Grade Determinations

Healthcare Engineer, GS-07. (1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Healthcare Engineer, GS-09. (1) 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. (2) 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. (1) 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.

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. (2) 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. (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. (2) 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-07 to GS-12.

03Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

This facilities position manages healthcare design and construction projects from concept through closeout. Duties include developing scopes of work, designs, and cost estimates; managing Architect/Engineer firms and reviewing drawings and specifications for compliance with VA standards, NFPA, OSHA, and Joint Commission requirements; and administering construction contracts as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

Engineers inspect work, review submittals and change orders, resolve field issues, and coordinate phasing, infection control, and utility shutdowns so patient care continues uninterrupted. Entry-level engineers work under close supervision while developing their skills; experienced engineers lead Integrated Project Teams and manage projects independently. Engineers obtain and maintain COR, OSHA competent person, and infection control certifications as required by the position.

Major Duties & Responsibilities are as follows but not limited to: Plan, design, and oversee major healthcare system projects for VA-owned and leased facilities. Oversee Architecture/Engineering (A/E) and Construction contracts to ensure contractors meet all contractual requirements, codes, regulations, specifications, and schedules.

Provide engineering support across the healthcare system, including maintaining construction specifications, drawings, and a technical reference library of codes and standards (OSHA, NFPA, ANSI, etc.). Serve as healthcare engineering advisor, consultant, designer, contract administrator, project manager, construction coordinator, and instructor throughout project design and construction. Perform duties as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for professional design and construction projects.

Serve as Chairperson of the Integrated Project Team (IPT), leading multidisciplinary teams and contributing to strategic planning and decision-making. Maintain COR certification for administration of Facility Engineering Service's A/E and Construction contracts. Perform construction management and post-project activities while ensuring continuity of building and utility services for ongoing medical operations.

Communicate technical information effectively to various individuals, including technical and clinical personnel. Interprets and applies TJC requirements, NFPA 101, NFPA 99, and VA standards; provides direction to A/E firms for complex healthcare designs. Resolves design conflicts and construction challenges to prevent schedule delays and cost impacts. Reviews A/E documentation (NRM, Minor, Leased projects) for technical quality, healthcare code compliance, and consistency with VA standards.

• Provides recommendations and alternatives to achieve project goals within engineering standards and budget constraints.
• Reviews contractor submittals, manages change order requests, ensures compliance with drawings/specifications, and enforces safety practices.
• Coordinates construction work within an active healthcare environment to maintain patient safety and uninterrupted operations..
• Develops reports for supervisory review.

Directs contractor activities within the medical facility, approving means and methods to protect patients and staff. Trains and guides contractors in working safely within medical environments, addressing infection control, fire safety, dust/noise/vibration mitigation. Applies advanced knowledge of Infection Control risk assessments and containment requirements. Ensures safe work practices during lead/asbestos abatement or hazardous materials operations.

Manages construction schedules, layouts, inspections, and quality assurance activities. Prepares cost estimates, reports, schedules, and technical documents for construction projects. Resolves complex construction problems and latent defects; develops and issues revised drawings/specifications. Provides expert engineering advice to administrators and managers on complex construction challenges. This is an Open Continuous Announcement Until 01/04/2026.

Qualified applicants will be referred every other week starting 11/18/2026, until closing of announcement or until positions are filled. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

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. Telework: Ad-Hoc. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F04801, F04802, F04803, F04774.