Mechanical Engineer (Hydropower).

US Army Corps of Engineers; The Dalles (OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, The Dalles area, is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer with expertise in hydropower and related facilities to lead engineering analyses, troubleshoot on-site issues, and evaluate emerging technologies for existing powerhouse systems.

You will support long-range capital programs, collaborate with District, Division, Project and BPA teams to advance capital improvements, and oversee installation, repair, and modification options, including crane testing and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET-accredited program.
• Calculus and engineering science coursework in key areas.
• Professional registration (EI/EIT) or PE licensure, or FE exam eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering tasks for hydropower plants and related facilities across multiple sites.
• Troubleshoot complex on-site problems using extensive facility knowledge.
• Assess new tech and integrate it into evaluation of powerhouse systems.
• Support long-range capital programs; collaborate on capital improvements.
• Develop and evaluate alternative equipment installation, repair, and modification options.
• Oversee crane testing, and design and approve lifting devices and rigging per standards.
• Serve as Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for contracts.

Skills

Hydropower systems

COR (Contracting Officer Rep)

Mechanical design & testing

On-site troubleshooting

Powerhouse equipment operation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior Mechanical Engineer responsible for a variety of functions in support of the large hydropower plants, fish passage systems, spillways, and other features at all locations of multiple use projects.
• Uses extensive knowledge of on-site facilities to troubleshoot complex problems and issues.
• Has a thorough understanding of all aspects of hydropower generating equipment. Studies new developments in the industry and integrates state-of-the art technology into the evaluation of existing powerhouse systems.
• Support long range capital programs for new installations and alterations. Works with District, Division, Project and BPA proponents on Product Delivery Teams to develop and implement capital improvements.
• Develop and evaluate alternative choices for equipment installation, repair and modification.
• Direct performance tests of cranes for compliance with appropriate regulations. Designs, analyzes, tests, and approves lifting devices, rigging, and personnel lifts for conformance with appropriate standards
• Serve as Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for a variety of contracts.

Duties

• Serve as senior Mechanical Engineer responsible for a variety of functions in support of the large hydropower plants, fish passage systems, spillways, and other features at all locations of multiple use projects.
• Uses extensive knowledge of on-site facilities to troubleshoot complex problems and issues.
• Has a thorough understanding of all aspects of hydropower generating equipment. Studies new developments in the industry and integrates state-of-the art technology into the evaluation of existing powerhouse systems.
• Support long range capital programs for new installations and alterations. Works with District, Division, Project and BPA proponents on Product Delivery Teams to develop and implement capital improvements.
• Develop and evaluate alternative choices for equipment installation, repair and modification.
• Direct performance tests of cranes for compliance with appropriate regulations. Designs, analyzes, tests, and approves lifting devices, rigging, and personnel lifts for conformance with appropriate standards
• Serve as Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for a variety of contracts.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 11. While probationary the incumbent can be terminated with limited appeal rights.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 5% of the time.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and /or experience requirements described below. 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; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is

Basic Requirement For Mechanical Engineer (Hydropower):

• Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); OR (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

OR

• Combination of Education and Experience: College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
• Professional registration or licensure - Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration.
• Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or any other written test required for professional registration, by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
• Specified academic courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in A above. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program.
• Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.

Specialized Experience

Specialized Experience: I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service which includes 1) Applying theories, principles, concepts and methodologies of engineering; 2) Assisting with the development of engineering solutions; and 3) Ensuring reliability and maintainability of equipment, and processes at various facilities. his definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-11).

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the
• This is a(n) Engineers and Scientists (Non-Construction) Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.

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-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 here:

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.

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.