Civil Engineer (Structural) DIRECT HIRE
Job Location:
Little Rock, AR - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Serving as the Arkansas Division Bridge Engineer this employee manages federal highway programs forbridges tunnels and structures statewide. Core responsibilities include evaluating structural programs(geotech hydraulics inspection and preservation) guiding staff on complex projects and liaising withFHWA Headquarters. The role keeps the State DOT informed on structural laws and research conductstechnical training and develops solutions for emerging infrastructure challenges.
The Civil Engineer (Structural):
- Represents the Division at meetings and discussions of bridge tunnel and other structures related policy and program matters and addresses/responds to correspondence relating to same. Interprets and implements Federal program changes procedural guidance and policy and develops processes affecting highway bridges and structures. Evaluates eligibility of structural work for Federal-aid program funding. Evaluates and promotes improvements in theStates administration of Federal programs for bridges tunnels and other structures and encourages the use of enhanced planning design and construction preservation inspection and maintenance practices for structures. Ensures all projects are in accordance with Federal law regulations and policies.
- Administers FHWA structural inspection program(s) (e.g. National Bridge Inspection Program (NBIP) and National Tunnel Inspection Program (NTIP)). Provides oversight of State compliance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) and National Tunnel Inspection Standards (NTIS) and recommends improvements. Evaluates theseverity of material deterioration and assigns ratings according to coding guidance as developed by FHWA and/or the State highway agency. Recognizes when it is necessary to close a bridge or tunnel (or recommend closure) because of imminent danger. Provides guidance to the State for bridge and tunnel inventory needs and interpretation ofacceptable inspection and coding methods for the NBIS and NTIS. Develops follow-up strategies and works with theState to overcome areas of non-compliance.
- Maintains and conducts a Risk Based Stewardship and Oversight Program for bridges tunnels and structures under design and construction and ensures that there is full coordination with responsible Division staff and State representatives. Reviews structural plans for suitability of structural adequacy economy safety aesthetics hydraulicsfoundation and overall concept. Interprets and applies relevant structural codes for testing design construction and maintenance of structures including retrofit. Promotes the use of the most current technologies standards and practices in the development of projects. Evaluates proposals makes recommendations and approves concepts fordevelopment of detailed contract plans. Resolves conflicts and controversies resulting from comments andrecommendations and inputs of other offices and agencies.
- Promotes consideration of national innovative initiatives as well as alternative materials and the incorporation of economical and simplified fabrication of structural components. Assists customers in addressing issues and implementing processes such as the promotion of accelerated construction techniques.
- Accompanies Division staff in their construction inspection activities when deemed appropriate and particularlywhen there are technical difficulties. Performs construction reviews/inspections and evaluates and renders a decisionrelative to the States proposed remedial actions making recommendations associated therewith.
The ideal candidate for this position is a seasoned mid-career structural engineering professional with projectmanagement experience in bridge design bridge construction inspection bridge program management andgeotechnical.
- Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. National & meet specialized experience to qualify
- Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
- Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
- Direct Hire Authority/SME will be used to fill this position
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public 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 the 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.
- SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
- GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
- BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicants successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
- PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification AND (3) meet the specialized experience requirements.
To qualify for the GS-13 you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12 it must include:
- Experience developing and/or evaluating the quality of plans specifications and estimates for bridges related totransportation projects; AND
- Experience inspecting bridges under construction; AND
- Experience inspecting in-service bridge conditions and compliance of bridge condition inspections with National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS).
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge skills abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
- Structural Engineering:Knowledge of the concepts principles theories and methods related to the design and analysis of complex structures using a varietyof materials. Structures may include aerospace systems or structures and other determinate or indeterminate systems.
- Technical Credibility: Understands and appropriately applies principles procedures requirements regulations and policies related to specializedexpertise.
- Risk Management: Knowledge of the principles methods and tools used for risk assessment and mitigation including assessment of failures andtheir consequences.
- Stakeholder Management: Knowledge of the concepts practices and techniques used to identify engage influence and monitor relationships with individuals and groups connected to a work effort; including those actively involved those who exert influence over the process and its results and those who have a vested interest in the outcome (positive or negative).
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). 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.
For additional information about applying to Federal positions please click on the following link: applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
A. DEGREE: ENGINEERING --To be acceptable the program must: (1) lead to a bachelors degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by 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
B. 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:
1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI) Engineer in Training (EIT)1 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 such 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. For example an applicant who attains registration through a State Boards eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. 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 and Puerto Rico.
3. 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 the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelors 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 bachelors 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. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive). All applicants must meet the education requirements under A or B to qualify for applying to an engineering position. Transcripts are required for this position.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicants criminal history recordbeforethat individual receives a conditional offer of employment.In accordance with5 U.S. Code 9202(c)and5 C.F.R 920.201certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act.Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at. To learn more please visit our page at:The Fair Chance to Compete Act US Department of Transportation
CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must submit SF-50(s) that verify your highest competitive grade full performance level and federal applicant eligibility. To prove you meet the 52-week time-in-grade requirement for the highest grade level requested you must submit SF-50 documentation showing a sequential 52-week period. Box 4 of the SF-50 must show an effective date at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing date. Do not submit an award SF-50 or a current-year pay adjustment SF-50 as these generally do not verify grade eligibility or the full 52-week requirement.
To ensure your application passes HR validation you are highly encouraged to combine and upload the following required SF-50 documents into a single PDF:
The SF-50 showing when you were originally appointed or promoted to your qualifying grade level (establishing the start of your 52-week timeline) ORsubsequent SF-50 (such as a Within-Grade Increase promotion or award) dated at least 52 weeks later.
Warning on Incomplete Documentation: Submitting only an annual general pay adjustment SF-50 or an award SF-50 by itself is insufficient as these individual documents do not track or prove your original entry date into that grade.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn 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.
Required Experience:
IC
