About this role
Job SummaryThis Engineering Technician position is located within the Engineering Service at the Durham VA Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. ***NOTE: The closing date for this announcement has been extended until Tuesday, 9/8/2026, due to low applicant pool. Applicants that have already applied do not need to re-apply but may update their application materials up until the new closing date.
QualificationsTO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL, YOU MUST MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-10) in the Federal Service. Technician experience includes supervising, leading or performing work involving applying a practical knowledge of the (1) methods and techniques of engineering or architecture and (2) construction, application, properties, operations, and limitations of engineering systems, processes, structures, machinery, devices and materials. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include technical work in drafting, surveying construction estimating, physical science, mathematics, aerospace, architecture, chemicals, electrical or mechanical systems, mining, petroleum, or nuclear systems. Experience in a trade or craft may be credited as specialized experience when the work provided intensive knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents. Examples are trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities (i.e., planner/estimator who analyzed designs for production purposes; instrument maker/model maker who performed design or development work on devices fabricated). NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. ~OR~ SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education that is directly related to the work of the Engineering Technician position, such as engineering, construction, or industrial technology. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond master's degree) and specialized experience, as described above. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Major Duties***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Duties include but may not be limited to the following: Prepares construction drawings, plans, and specifications for construction, renovation, maintenance, and repair projects. Develops detailed cost estimates for construction and repair projects. Serves as COTR and monitors contractor performance and compliance with contract requirements. Coordinates projects from initial concept through construction and completion. Inspects construction work, materials, and workmanship for compliance with plans and specifications. Reviews and evaluates contractor change-order requests for accuracy and cost control. Coordinates with architects and engineers and reviews project designs for technical accuracy. Performs field measurements, surveys, and collection of engineering data. Reviews contractor shop drawings, submittals, and other construction documentation. Prepares construction progress reports, payment requests, and project documentation. Maintains facility record drawings and supports asbestos assessments, facility planning, and engineering reports. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approvedRequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of sitting in one position, climbing up ladders and crawling under buildings and sometimes being exposed to the elements. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Required Documents" below for details. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In 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 probationary, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.