Healthcare Engineer (Plumbing 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. Language: Must be proficient in spoken and written English per 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

02Education

Successfully completed a 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 Exam 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.

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).

03Grade Determinations

Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Healthcare Engineering (Plumbing Engineer) field.

Qualifying GS-11 grade level experience includes, but is not limited to: Extensive experience in the plumbing design and engineering of plumbing systems specifically within active healthcare facilities or complex commercial medical centers; ability to prepare, read, and interpret complex architectural and engineering drawings across all major disciplines, including Mechanical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection (MEP/FP); applying a working knowledge of NFPA, OSHA, and ANSI standards within a medical environment, while implementing energy conservation and sustainability goals (such as the VA GEMS program); providing expert research and analysis on engineering construction, cost estimation, and the feasibility of new infrastructure technologies in a clinical setting.

AND; Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, structural, civil and other engineering/architectural principles, practices and their applications in the healthcare environment. (b) 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. (c) Knowledge of construction standards, methods, practices and techniques, materials and equipment to determine compliance with engineering regulations and standards. (d) 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. (e) Ability to plan and execute complex, multi-faceted projects and inspections while prioritizing resources against approved scopes of work, contract documents and budgets. (f) Ability to organize and lead multi-disciplinary task forces with members from different departments and divisions, as well as design and construction firms.

04Preferred Experience

The ideal candidate will possess substantial, hands-on design experience in Plumbing, Fire Protection, and Medical Gas Systems, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality, code-compliant engineering solutions.

This individual should have a deep understanding of system layout, equipment selection, and specification development, as well as experience coordinating with multidisciplinary teams throughout all project phases, from conceptual design and documentation to construction administration and commissioning. Familiarity with relevant industry codes, standards, and best practices, particularly those specific to healthcare and commercial environments is essential.

The candidate's expertise will be pivotal in ensuring robust, safe, and efficient infrastructure to meet the unique demands of modern medical facilities. 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.

05Physical Requirements

The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, training rooms, and libraries. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The incumbent must also work outdoors in all types of weather. There may be occasional exposure to moderate risks or discomforts in storage areas or hazardous waste sites.

The work is primarily sedentary, although some physical effort may be required, e.g., walking, standing, climbing ladders, stooping, kneeling, and carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle.

Providing engineering support to the Northport VAMC, this position serves as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and IPT Chairperson, leading multi-disciplinary teams in the execution of complex design and construction projects. You will be responsible for maintaining technical standards and regulatory compliance (OSHA, NFPA, ANSI) while training staff on infrastructure operations.

As a recognized project management expert, you will collaborate with senior stakeholders to align engineering initiatives with the healthcare system's strategic goals. Duties include but are not limited to: Making recommendations relating to energy conservation for feasibility and cost effectiveness and supports the facilities energy goals.

Implementing sound stewardship practices that are protective of the air, water, land, and other natural and cultural resources, in accordance with the goals of the VA GEMS program, plans, designs, and oversees major healthcare system projects.

Providing engineering support to the assigned healthcare system and is responsible for maintaining construction specifications and drawings, maintaining technical reference library of codes, standards, and other regulations which are applicable to the engineering construction industries Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and others.

Resident and program engineer consisting of the planning, design, and overseeing of major healthcare system projects; oversees Professional Architecture/Engineering (A/E) and Construction contracts to ensure the contractor is in compliance with all contractual requirements, healthcare regulations and codes, specifications and schedules are met in accordance with the government's requirements for VA owned and leased facilities.

Minor Construction Projects, Non-Recurring Maintenance (NRM) Projects, Station Level Projects, and Leases, including all areas and aspects (architectural, electrical, life safety, mechanical, civil, structural, etc.) at an assigned medical center and associated Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC)'s.

Managing healthcare engineering project design and administers construction in accordance with VA policies and procedures, VA Design Guides, VA Design Manuals, VA Master Specifications and related industry codes and standards. Assisting in the provision of a continuing education program for clinical staff and maintenance personnel addressing the principles and application of building and utility systems in the delivery of health care.

This includes a curriculum that addresses the safe and effective use of medical gases, emergency power, ventilation, and other healthcare infrastructure related technology. This requires skill to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, with a wide variety of individuals, including technical and professional clinical staff, to communicate technical information. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8AM - 4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 25718F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized