Summary The Engineering Technician (Incumbent) is responsible for providing technical support to all construction management and facilities record document activities. This will include performing the duties of a COR on construction projects, managing the facility record document program, evaluating and tracking project requests, acting as a liaison for in-house construction, and assisting Engineering Leadership as explained in the sections below. Duties
- The incumbent works under the general supervision of a Supervisory General Engineer.
- Works economically and efficiently to make the best use of personnel, equipment, and materials.
- The incumbent has considerable latitude in work assignments and uses his/her own judgment and
- initiative in completing assignments.
- Incumbent acts as a Contracting Officer Representative for construction projects; typically, each individual project will range below $100,000, but may exceed this in value and complexity depending on group workload requirements.
- Contracting Officer Representative (COR) duties and responsibilities include: Performing scheduling, layout of operations, field measurements, and inspection and surveillance of materials, methods, and equipment used in construction.
- Planning specific objectives for the program, including required innovations and improvisations. Preparing detailed cost estimates for use in obtaining project funding and bid evaluation. Preparing correspondence, technical reports, estimates, fact sheets, status reports and schedules as required to complete project assignments.
- Consulting with contractor personnel to resolve difficult and complex unforeseen problems and latent conditions developing during construction.
- Preparing sketches, drawings, and specifications to solve problems and incorporating these change documents into the contract performance documents.
- Reviewing and evaluating shop drawings, samples, and material certifications submitted by contractor for contract and performance requirements, recommending approval, rejection or receipt.
- Contracting Officer Representative (COR) duties and responsibilities also include:
- Being a steward of government funds by ensuring that the government receives all that it has contracted for.
- A COR must be appointed for Architecture and Engineer, construction, hazmat contracts exceeding $25,000, all healthcare contracts for services and multi-year service contracts.
- Referring requests outside of the contract to the Contracting Officer.
- During option years, the COR is responsible for updating information required and new approvals, the Independent Government Cost Estimate
- (IGCE) and market research.
- The COR must provide past performance information before the CO exercises the option.
- CORs are subject to and must comply with all aspects of procurement integrity regulations related to disseminating contract information.
- The COR may represent the Program Office as the responsible party for developing procurement packages.
- CORs are the delegated business liaisons for the contract with other required personnel on station.
- The COR must validate invoices within five (5) days of receipt against the terms of the contract and performance monitors.
- The COR must notify the Contracting Officer within three (3) days of receipt if the invoice is not valid. The COR is responsible for ensuring compliance with invoice validation processes before invoices are certified.
- The COR is responsible for completing the training for FAC-COR certification, VHA supplemental training, and any additional training based
- on the complexity of contracts they administer.
- The COR is required to maintain contract administration files in accordance with VA policies and procedures including but not limited to:
- Procurement Process, Security Handbook 6500.6, VA Directive 1663.
- The COR is required to be available to meet with and provide relevant contract information to station leadership in all phases of the acquisition process, from planning to administration to closeout.
- Upon expiration of the contract, these electronic files shall be forwarded to the Contracting Officer:
- The signed delegation of authority letter
- The COR Training certificate
- A copy of the contract with a current listing of rates/pricing schedule for invoice
- validation
- A copy of all executed contract modifications
- The Independent Government Cost Estimate
- Purchase orders
- IPPS payment history/obligation history
- Invoice tracking reports and a copy of all invoices certified for payment, and Fiscal
- requests/approvals
- A signed copy of the Quality Assurance Surveillance Program (QASP) and QASP
- reports
- Quarterly COR reports; changes in key personnel must be reflected on the report
- Correspondence documentation (all communication of problems and resolutions)
- Contract employee training certificates (Privacy, BCLS) and licenses
- A copy of yearly past performance reviews
- Invoice Certification
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am to Friday 4:00 pm
Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized.
Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad-Hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Engineering Technician/PD10018A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedQualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 11/16/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade at any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.
Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
Individual Occupational Requirements Series Definition: This series covers technical positions supervising, leading, or performing work involving applying a practical knowledge of the:
- methods and techniques of engineering or architecture; and
- construction, application, properties, operations, and limitations of engineering systems, processes, structures, machinery, devices, and materials.
Certification: Engineering technicians may be certified by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies, an organization sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Certification by the Institute will be helpful as a measure of the technician's quality of experience. In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirements, you must also meet the Specialized Experience listed below.You may qualify based on your experience as described below:
Specialized Experience:
- You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Use of computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare, update, and maintain architectural, engineering, and as-built drawings and documentation for existing buildings and building systems (such as architectural, structural, civil, HVAC, electrical, or plumbing), including drawing review and coordination. Experience interpreting and creating detailed floor plans, sections, elevations, and system layouts for facilities (not component parts). Application of knowledge of building codes, construction practices, and design standards in the development and maintenance of facility as-built documents. Experience in updating and managing drawing databases and file structures for multi-discipline building projects. Familiarity with plan reading and working with various engineering and architectural teams to ensure as-built documentation accurately reflects field conditions and construction changes.
- Preferred Experience: Use of computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare, update, and maintain architectural, engineering, and as-built drawings and documentation for existing buildings and building systems (such as architectural, structural, civil, HVAC, electrical, or plumbing), including drawing review and coordination. Experience interpreting and creating detailed floor plans, sections, elevations, and system layouts for facilities (not component parts). Application of knowledge of building codes, construction practices, and design standards in the development and maintenance of facility as-built documents. Experience in updating and managing drawing databases and file structures for multi-discipline building projects. Familiarity with plan reading and working with various engineering and architectural teams to ensure as-built documentation accurately reflects field conditions and construction changes.
Note: CAD experience limited to parts, components, or machinist-level work will not be accepted unless it specifically involved drafting for buildings, facilities, or architectural/engineering design projects. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
- Computer Skills
- Design
- Electric Drawings
- General Engineering
- Project Management
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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
Aligned with the PD and Job Analysis for GS-11, and reflecting on the tasks and competencies given:
- Comprehensive knowledge of technical engineering methods, techniques, and principles across civil, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and environmental disciplines.
- Demonstrated experience preparing designs, specifications, and technical reviews for complex and unconventional utility systems (e.g., heating, air conditioning, plumbing, gas supply, pneumatic controls).
- Proficient in performing Contracting Officer Representative (COR) duties, including scheduling, layout of operations, field measurements, inspection, compliance monitoring, and contract documentation.
- Advanced skills in creating, updating, and maintaining engineering drawings, blueprints, shop drawings, and specifications using drafting software (e.g., AutoCAD).
- Experienced in organizing and managing facility record documentation and databases, including programming and formatting changes, ensuring data integrity and regulatory compliance.
- Ability to conduct project scoping, field investigations, feasibility analyses, and prepare accurate cost estimates and technical reports for construction and maintenance projects.
- Proven problem-solving skills in adapting design features and engineering criteria for complex or unprecedented projects, using innovative and resourceful approaches.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for coordinating and negotiating with contractors, vendors, internal stakeholders, and external agencies, often in sensitive or complex situations.
- Strong customer service orientation, providing prompt, courteous, and knowledgeable support to VA staff, veterans, and external partners while constructively resolving conflicts.
- Thorough knowledge of relevant regulatory and safety standards, including OSHA, environmental statutes, procurement, data privacy, and VA policies, with commitment to workplace and information security.
- Physical capability to access building crawlspaces, ceilings, and roofs as needed, and compliance with required personal protective equipment (PPE) standards.
- Holds a valid driver's license and meets requirements for operating government vehicles in support of VA business operations.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
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/.
Requirements
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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
- Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.How you will be evaluated Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:
- Attention to Detail
- Customer Service
- Flexibility
- Integrity/Honesty
- Interpersonal Skills
- Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Reasoning
- Self-Management
- Stress Tolerance
- Teamwork
Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. How to apply Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online questionnaire and submission of the required documentation specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13110607. The application process is as follows:
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date, 11/16/2026.
- If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
- Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
- Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
- Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. NOTE: Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To view the announcement status or your application status: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed.
Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.
Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files. We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started.
Helpful Hints for Creating a Two-Page Resume:
- Prioritize most relevant and recent experience
- Use concise, results focused language
- Align language from the job announcement
- Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies
- Remove outdated or unrelated experience
- Use the USAJOBS resume builder
Additional guidance on this new requirement and resume building tools can be found at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limitOther information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
The Ralph H. Johnson VA & its CBOC's are committed to hiring a diverse workforce from various backgrounds and individuals who demonstrate a diversity, equity and inclusion-related mindset and behaviors. We are strongly seeking candidates who represent the full range of cultural and identity factors including but not limited to race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation/identity, gender identity and expression, age, language, abilities/disabilities, socioeconomic status, religion, spiritual practices, geographic region, and other characteristics.
Receiving Service Credit for 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
