Engineering Technician (Civil)

Indian Health Service; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Indian Health Service is seeking a qualified candidate for a field-based construction and project reporting role in Spokane, WA. The position supports sanitation facilities construction projects by collecting data, maintaining logs, and preparing reports on progress and payments.

You will review project plans and assist with contract advertising, ensuring compliance with federal requirements and safety standards.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 in the Federal service.
• Experience using measurements and data collection software for project work.
• Experience with general surveying and drafting.

Responsibilities

• Collect information from homeowners.
• Maintain a log of projects and record facts concerning work activity.
• Prepare project reports and spreadsheets to track submittals, quantities installed, construction progress and payments.
• Review project plans prior to contract advertisement to determine practicability.

Skills

Mathematics

Data collection

Surveying

Drafting

Job description

Summary

Want to have positive impact working in diverse environments? Join us at IHS Sanitation Facilities Construction! We collaborate with American Indian Tribes to plan, design, and construct water, wastewater, and solid waste facilities.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

This position is being announced concurrently under Merit Promotion/Excepted Service procedures. Please review vacancy announcement number IHS-26-HQ-13006525-ESEP/MP; for eligibility requirements. The description of duties indicated below are summarized examples of tasks that will be performed by the position.

Duties

This position will be located in one of the locations identified and will be responsible for duties such as:

• Collecting information from homeowners.
• Maintaining a log of projects and record facts concerning work activity.
• Preparing project reports and spreadsheets to track submittals, quantities installed, construction progress and payments.
• Reviewing project plans prior to contract advertisement to determine practicability.

Requirements

Must have a valid State driver's License. It must be REAL ID-compliant.

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

Must have a viable bank account at a financial institution for electronic direct deposit of salary payment.

U.S. Citizenship is required.

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period.

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

Background Investigation Requirement:

• This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.
• A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.
• Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement:

• This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination.
• Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.
• Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations‑including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court‑ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears‑may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).
• Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state‑issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID‑compliant.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Minimum Qualifications

Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks:

• GS‑06 Grade Level: Your resume must demonstrate at least one-year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Experience utilizing mathematics such as measurements, use of computer software for data collection for project work, use of computer software, general surveying, and drafting.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Additional information

Salary is contingent on duty location Salaries and Wages.

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

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. IHS may offer newly‑appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous 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.

This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a one‑year service agreement will be required.

You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.

Assessment

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions.

• How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government?
• In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?
• How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role?
• How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements?
• Your responses are optional and will not be scored.
• However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process.
• You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.