Healthcare Engineer

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial 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 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 trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Education:

Bachelors degree or higher in Engineering or Architecture. To be acceptable the curriculum must be from a school with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology Engineering Accreditation Commission (excludes engineering technology) or National Council of Architectural Registration Boards curriculum. Examples of acceptable engineering and architectural degrees include but are not limited to: Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Biomedical Engineering Civil Engineering Architecture and Architectural Engineering. Titles may vary from educational institutions and change over time;

OR

Evidence of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination with a bachelors degree. Evidence can be in the form of an Engineering in Training certificate issued from any State the District of Columbia Guam or Puerto Rico or test results from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) identifying a passing score;

OR

Evidence of current professional registration or licensure as a Professional Engineer or Architect. Evidence of current professional registration or licensure can be from any State the District of Columbia Guam or Puerto Rico. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:

Healthcare Engineer GS-07

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

Healthcare Engineer GS-09

• Experience or Education. Candidates at this level must meet one of the following:

(a) One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade;

OR

(b) Master of Engineering degree or Master of Architecture degree or Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field of study as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1);

OR

(c) Bachelors degree as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1) plus two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study provided the applicants total background demonstrates the core competencies for GS-09 level assignment.

• Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(a) Knowledge of the principles theories concepts and practices of the engineering profession.
(b) Ability to interpret relevant codes regulations guidelines and standards to make recommendations to assure compliance with healthcare facility programs.
(c) Ability to understand the operational professional engineering needs of clinical services in the healthcare system.
(d) Ability to prepare material on current technical topics and trends for presentation to other technical staff and mid-level hospital management and to keep abreast of changes in engineering technology related to a healthcare facility.

Healthcare Engineer GS-11

• Experience or Education. Candidates at this level must meet one of the following:

(a) One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade;

OR

(b) Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Engineering or a related field of engineering

OR

(c) Master of Engineering degree Master of Architecture degree Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field of study as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1) plus 1 full year of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study provided the applicants total background demonstrates the knowledge skills and abilities for GS-11 level assignment;

OR

(d) Bachelors degree as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1) plus 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study provided the applicants total background demonstrates the knowledge skills and abilities for GS-11 level assignment.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience or education above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of either mechanical electrical structural civil or other engineering/architectural principles practices and their applications in the healthcare environment.
(b) Knowledge of basic project management principles as applied to the healthcare setting.
(c) Ability to apply healthcare engineering related standards codes policies and regulations inclusive of state and local codes.
(d) Ability to communicate effective orally and in writing with internal and external customers with tact and diplomacy.
(e) Ability to develop material for clinical or administrative staff that addresses the principles and application of engineering technology and/or theory used in healthcare.
(f) Ability to advise staff on emerging engineering technology related to a healthcare facility while keeping abreast of changes in such technology and utilizing the information to solve healthcare facility engineering challenges.

Healthcare Engineer GS-12.Experience.

One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience requirements for this grade level the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of mechanical electrical structural civil and other engineering/architectural principles practices and their applications in the healthcare environment.
(b) Knowledge of healthcare industry standards and related regulatory agency and organization (including but not limited to The Joint Commission (TJC) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) etc.) regulations requirements guides policies procedures directives standards and general medical program requirements as they relate to healthcare engineering.
(c) Knowledge of construction standards methods practices and techniques materials and equipment to determine compliance with engineering regulations and standards.
(d) Skill in researching and analyzing information conditions human factors and projections to make sound engineering and business recommendations and decisions to proactively identify problems and develop innovative solutions within the context of applicable rules regulations and procedures.
(e) Ability to plan and execute complex multi-faceted projects and inspections while prioritizing resources against approved scopes of work contract documents and budgets.(f) Ability to organize and lead multi-disciplinary task forces with members from different departments and divisions as well as design and construction firms.

A valid State drivers license is required. A safe driving record is required.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.