Engineering Tech (Draft)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Contract Officer Representative to oversee complex construction projects across multiple disciplines in a highly specialized medical facility.

Candidates must demonstrate engineering competence in heating, cooling, structural integrity, and building performance to ensure project success. Applicants should meet time-in-grade requirements and provide SF-50 documentation as applicable.

Qualifications

• Specialized Experience: 1 year equivalent to GS-09 in the normal progression.
• Experience as a technical resource and in evaluating engineering proposals.
• Ability to review drawings and contracts and coordinate with firms.

Responsibilities

• Serves as technical resource person to internal staff and services.
• Makes system decisions and cost/benefits analyses of proposals.
• Guides and directs work of consulting architectural, engineering and environmental firms.
• Reviews drawings for accuracy, function and workability.
• Writes SOW and assists in development of contracts and submission timelines.
• Reviews mechanical, electrical and structural submittals for compliance.
• Inspects progress during construction and resolves design issues.

Skills

Technical resource

Cost/benefits analysis

Contract management

Teamwork

Job description

The incumbent performs a variety of duties including Contract Officer Representative for complex construction projects of various disciplines in an extremely complex medical facility. The duties require the application of professional knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of engineering concerned in the practical working knowledge of heating and air conditioning, structural, and building performance of the work assignments.

To qualify for this position

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/02/2026.

Time‑in‑Grade Requirement

Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade 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.

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.

Specialized Experience

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

Specialized Experience (for positions at GS‑4 or equivalent and above): 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.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

• Serves as technical resource person to internal staff & other services
• Makes systems decisions & performs cost/benefits analysis of engineering firms' proposals
• Provides expert guidance & directs the work of consulting architectural, engineering & environmental firms
• Reviews drawings of architectural, engineering, & environmental firms for accuracy, proper function, & workability
• Writes the SOW & assists in developing Architect/Engineer contracts & develops time frame for submissions to meet project schedules
• Reviews mechanical, electrical & structural submittals to ensure compliance
• Inspects work progress during construction phase, resolves design errors, evaluates problems & applies sound engineering judgment
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self‑Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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.

Physical Requirements

Most of the work is performed indoors in a well‑lit, temperature and sound controlled office setting. However, incumbent may be exposed to the hazards of weather, dirt, dust etc. associated with construction settings while making “on‑site” inspections of assigned projects. Incumbent must be physically able to climb, crawl, walk, stoop, sit and stand to perform assigned duties. Incumbent is also expected to comply with all safety codes and other practices described in the Engineering and Medical Center Safety Manuals.

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/.