Engineering Technician (Drafting)

Indian Health Service; Opelousas (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Indian Health Service (IHS) Sanitation Facilities Construction is seeking an Engineering Technician to support planning, design, and construction of water, wastewater, and solid waste facilities for American Indian Tribes. The role involves CAD drafting, site surveys, and field investigations to gather project data.

You will perform field inspections, interpret contract plans, and prepare detailed drawings and topographic data.

Qualifications

• Experience with CAD drafting, surveying, and cost estimation in construction projects.
• One full year of graduate level education related to engineering, construction, or industrial technology.
• A combination of specialized experience and education meeting 100% of the qualification requirements.

Responsibilities

• Plot alignments, grade lines, and cross sections from field notes.
• Prepare site drawings, elevations, plans, and topographic drawings.
• Conduct field investigations of proposed home sites to gather information.
• Inspect construction and interpret plans for water, wastewater, and solid waste facilities.

Skills

CAD software

Surveying

Cost estimating

Education

Graduate-level coursework related to engineering technology

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.

Duties

• Utilizing field notes from various sources to plot alignments, grade lines, and cross sections.
• Preparing individual site drawings, standard and non-standard details, building elevations, floor and ceiling plans, and topographic drawings.
• Performing field investigations of proposed project home site locations to gather information.
• Performing construction inspection and interpreting contract plans and specifications for community and individual water supply, wastewater ad solid waste facilities.

Requirements

• Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Must have a valid State driver's license. It must be REAL ID-compliant.
• IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.
• This position may be 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.

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.

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

• Experience in computer aided drafting (CAD) software, experience in surveying and construction cost estimating of materials for projects.
• Completion of 1 full year of graduate level education directly related to the work of the Engineering Technician such as, engineering, construction, industrial technology.
• A combination of specialized experience and education that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

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

Additional Information

Salary is contingent on duty location. Pay Tables

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 may be covered by a Bargaining Unit.

Recruitment or Relocation Incentives may be authorized. At least a one-year service agreement will be required.

This position has promotion potential to the GS-09 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher-level duties, the continuing need for the higher-level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.

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

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).

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).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits.

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.