All potential applicants are strongly urged to read this entire Vacancy Announcement to ensure that they meet all the requirements for this position before applying.
This is a Foreign Service announcement. Worldwide availability is a requirement of the position.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is looking for dynamic, committed Engineer professionals who want to make a difference in the lives of millions across the globe. We are an independent federal agency with a long history of extending a helping hand to people overseas struggling to make a better life, recover from a disaster, or striving to live in a free and democratic country.
USAID's work in development joins diplomacy and defense as one of the three key pillars of our nation's foreign policy. USAID Foreign Service Officers are typically accorded diplomatic status when posted overseas. Our work supports long-term economic growth and trade; agriculture and the environment; education and training; democracy and governance; global health; global partnerships and humanitarian assistance. We operate in more than 100 countries in five regions of the world: Sub-Saharan Africa; Asia; the Middle East; Latin America and the Caribbean; and Europe and Eurasia.
USAID works in close partnership with the governments and people in those countries, as well as with private voluntary organizations, universities, American businesses, other governments, trade and professional associations, faith-based organizations, and other U.S. government agencies. Our Foreign Service Officers work alongside Civil Service employees and contracted staff in our offices in Washington, DC and overseas. USAID offers generous federal benefits that include health and life insurance; annual, sick and home leave; contributory government pension system; and while serving overseas, government-provided housing, shipment of household effects, and other support. To learn more about USAID and our current job opportunities, please go to www.usaid.gov.
USAID seeks the best-qualified professional candidates who are willing to make a long-term career commitment to the Foreign Service and international development. New entrants begin their careers in a formal training program which is followed by rotational on-the-job, Washington DC-based training up to 24 months, which may include foreign language training. After completion of Washington training, new entrants are assigned to an overseas mission.
Summary
All potential applicants are strongly urged to read this entire Vacancy Announcement to ensure that they meet all the requirements for this position before applying.
This is a Foreign Service announcement. Worldwide availability is a requirement of the position.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is looking for dynamic, committed Engineer professionals who want to make a difference in the lives of millions across the globe. We are an independent federal agency with a long history of extending a helping hand to people overseas struggling to make a better life, recover from a disaster, or striving to live in a free and democratic country.
USAID's work in development joins diplomacy and defense as one of the three key pillars of our nation's foreign policy. USAID Foreign Service Officers are typically accorded diplomatic status when posted overseas. Our work supports long-term economic growth and trade; agriculture and the environment; education and training; democracy and governance; global health; global partnerships and humanitarian assistance. We operate in more than 100 countries in five regions of the world: Sub-Saharan Africa; Asia; the Middle East; Latin America and the Caribbean; and Europe and Eurasia.
USAID works in close partnership with the governments and people in those countries, as well as with private voluntary organizations, universities, American businesses, other governments, trade and professional associations, faith-based organizations, and other U.S. government agencies. Our Foreign Service Officers work alongside Civil Service employees and contracted staff in our offices in Washington, DC and overseas. USAID offers generous federal benefits that include health and life insurance; annual, sick and home leave; contributory government pension system; and while serving overseas, government-provided housing, shipment of household effects, and other support. To learn more about USAID and our current job opportunities, please go to www.usaid.gov.
USAID seeks the best-qualified professional candidates who are willing to make a long-term career commitment to the Foreign Service and international development. New entrants begin their careers in a formal training program which is followed by rotational on-the-job, Washington DC-based training up to 24 months, which may include foreign language training. After completion of Washington training, new entrants are assigned to an overseas mission.
Assist in the planning, analysis, negotiation, implementation and evaluation of USAID engineering and construction projects in support of the full range of foreign assistance objectives (governing justly and democratically, investing in people, economic growth, peace and stability, and humanitarian assistance). Manage U.S. Government resources, implementation teams, contractors and grantees to achieve specific program objectives and results consistent with overall US domestic and international policy and law.
Serve as a technical resource to foreign assistance activities involving the project design and implementation of infrastructure and other construction projects. Support engineering and infrastructure activities by researching, reviewing and analyzing data; providing assistance and advice on engineering and construction issues. Assist in coordinating and managing strategies, policies, concepts, procedures, and guidelines for establishing infrastructure or construction projects. Analyze technical constraints to engineering and construction projects and recommend courses of action.
Coordinate program development, implementation, and performance monitoring plans. Support the contracting activities for architecture and engineering, construction management, and construction services (e.g. design and bid documents for performance-based and incentive contracts, design-build and design-bid-build contracts, construction oversight and management services, etc.). Monitor progress and ensure compliance to design specifications and safety and sanitation standards through inspection of project sites.
Coordinate assigned activities with other USAID Bureaus and Offices, the Department of State, other USG agencies, and the private sector.
Perform a variety of duties related to special projects involving program issues that contain complex elements. Assist in managing special cross-cutting initiatives and task force groups to accomplish programmatic goals. These groups may review specific programs at the organization or develop new initiatives in various program areas.
Provide technical guidance to several areas of emphasis within the overall portfolio; e.g. water and sanitation infrastructure; roads and transportation; energy; hospitals, clinics, schools and other public facilities; housing; etc.
Provide cost estimations for quantities, cost of materials, equipment or labor to determine project feasibility and value engineering options. Supports project management activities, direction of construction, operations and maintenance activities at project sites.
Assist in the preparation and presentation of engineering reports, such as bid requests, cost-benefit analyses, environmental impact statements, and feasibility studies descriptions.
Serve as a technical resource in developing programs and operational plans for national, state, municipality service delivery objectives
Define and accomplish technical assistance or A&E services for rehabilitation of infrastructure program objectives.
Support utility sector policy reform efforts that include but are not limited to: operation and maintenance, utility management and administration, cost recovery and sector commercialization.
Must submit an official or unofficial copy of transcripts.
Must be between 18 and 59 years old at time of application.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
Must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Writing - Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills – Shows courtesy and empathy to others; develops and maintains effective relationships; effectively deals with individuals who are difficult or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds cultures; is sensitive to individual differences.
Project Management - Applies principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, monitoring, evaluating, and managing projects and resources, including technical performance.
Engineering - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods required to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain facilities such as buildings, transportation systems, water and sanitary systems, and other public works systems.
Planning and Evaluating – organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short/long term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
Qualifications
Education & Experience:
FS-05: A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering plus five (5) years of relevant experience OR a Master’s degree in an engineering major plus two (2) years of relevant experience.
Relevant experience is defined as significant professional engineering experience in the public and private sectors, applying advanced principles and practices of the field, enabling the engineer to investigate and provide consultative services on the entire range of technical questions and complex policy issues associated with infrastructure projects such as buildings, power plants, water facilities, telecommunications, housing, roads, infrastructure/engineering project management experience in the public and private sectors, acting as the “owner’s engineer” and coordinating with professionals in other sectors/disciplines such as public administration, economics and finance, trades and labor unions, as well as with customers and stakeholders of infrastructure services.
Relevant experience includes engineering work in the public or private sector associated with technical consulting, design, oversight, construction or management of infrastructure projects. This includes involvement in the creation of engineering assessments such as feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, cost analysis and economic assessments. Overseas work on international development activities is considered relevant experience.
A copy of unofficial transcripts relevant to your demonstrated qualifications for this position must be provided by no later than the closing date. Failure to do so will result in the application being eliminated from consideration.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials.
Transcripts from any and all foreign educational institutions must be accompanied by an official Evaluation of Educational Credentials in order to be considered for the position.
If we are unable to determine that you meet the required education, you will be found ineligible for further consideration.
Additional information
Current USAID Foreign Service career and career candidate employees are not eligible to apply to this announcement. Applicants who previously applied for this position and were interviewed will not be invited for another interview within a 12 month period from the closing date of the announcement.
Selective Service - As a condition of employment, all male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service. If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
Career appointments in the Foreign Service are covered by the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, which requires an applicant to be 18 years old at time of application and which directs mandatory retirement at age 65. Given this mandatory retirement age and the fact that five years must be allowed to achieve tenure in the agency, there is an upper age limit of 59 at time of appointment to the Foreign Service. Please be advised that applicants must not be older than 59 years and one day at the time of application.
A copy of the transcript is required.
Veteran's preference applies.
These are Testing Designated Positions (TDPs) under the Agency's approved Drug-Free Work Place Program. All applicants selected for this position will be subject to random drug testing once they begin working for the Agency.
Medical Clearance - A medical clearance for the applicant is required prior to being hired for this position. Foreign Service members must be able to serve at any overseas post. Many facilities are remote, unhealthy, or have limited medical support. Therefore, each applicant must meet medical fitness standards which are, of necessity, often more rigorous than those of other professions. Prior to being appointed to the Foreign Service, applicants must have a thorough medical examination and receive an unlimited medical clearance for assignment worldwide. Applicants living within a fifty-mile radius of Washington, DC, must have the medical exam performed by the Department of State Office of Medical Services.
Foreign Language Ability - Foreign language ability has no effect on whether or not you are selected for an interview. However, if you are selected for an interview your ability to speak, read, and understand languages that are useful in countries where USAID operates will be assessed. Candidates who demonstrate a predefined level of proficiency will be given the opportunity to test for bonus points that will be added to their final interview score. Testing will be conducted via telephone and/or in person.
Fair Employment Opportunities - "It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual’s employment experience will be used only to determine the person’s qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual’s personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination.”
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
BASIS OF RATING: Qualified applicants receive a score of 70 to 100 before veteran's preference points are applied (if applicable). You will be rated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience, and training you report relative to this position that show the degree to which you possess the required competencies listed on this vacancy announcement. USAID must be able to conduct reference checks as part of its assessment process. Applicants who do not permit reference checks from previous employers may be disqualified.
IMPORTANT: If you are found to have rated your self assessment higher than the information in your on-line application, supporting documentation narratives, and/or any other relevant part of your application package; including attachments, a score will manually be determined that reflects your documented experience. This may result in a lowered score and may also eliminate you from the best qualified list. To preview questions please click here.
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.
The following documents will be required for verification of eligibility before employment is offered: • Proof of United States Citizenship (birth certificate or other acceptable documentation). • Proof of military service (DD214s or other equivalent documents), if applicable. • SF15, Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference and appropriate documentation (for 10-point compensable or non-compensable disability preference, Purple Heart, disability pension, or preference based on service of spouse or child), if applicable. • Official copy of college transcript of education used to qualify you for this position.
Only a copy of unofficial transcript is required with the initial application.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please carefully read all the instructions before you begin the application process.
Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line applicant assessment system that has been specifically configured for US Agency for International Development applicants. To begin the application process, please click on the "Apply Online" button to the right. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical disabilities, membership in an employee organization, or any other nonmerit.
The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday).
If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us by noon ET on the announcement's closing date. If you are having difficulty within the CareerConnector system and need technical assistance please email the help desk at careerconnectorhelp@treasury.gov. The help desk is available to assist you during the hours of 8:00 am- 4:30 pm EST.
Step 1 - Create a resume with USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov) - We suggest you go to the end of the Qualifications & Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer in Step 3. You may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. - You must create a resume in USAJOBS. You must also upload a resume or CV. Although you must enter your Social Security Number (SSN) for USAJOBS, we will only see the last four digits for identification purposes.
Step 2 - Apply Online. Click the "Apply Online" link of this announcement and then select the resume you wish to submit with your application. You will be redirected to the USAID's CareerConnector website to complete the application process.
Step 3 - Answer the Online Questions and Submit Your Online Application If this is your first time on USAID's CareerConnector website, you will be prompted to register by answering questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. The system will save these responses and take you back to the main screen so that you can answer the job-specific questions. Select "Take me to the assessment" and click on the "Continue" button to answer the job-specific questions. You must answer all the questions and click the "Finished" button.
Step 4 - Review and Confirm Your Submission You will upload a document. Once you click "Done," you will see a summary of your application for your review. You may also print a copy for your records. When you click "Finished" at the bottom of the page, you will then be directed back to USAJOBS where you can confirm that your application has been submitted and track your application status.
Step 5 - Submit Required Documents You can submit any required documents (discussed below) by document upload. Please include the job announcement number with your documents. To protect your privacy, we encourage you to remove your SSN from any documents that you submit.
Document Upload: You may upload supporting documents in one of two ways: 1. Once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement, you will be prompted to upload your document(s) to your application. You will be given the choice to either upload the document as part of the application process or you can select a document that you've already loaded on USAJOBS
Or 2. You can upload a document to an existing application by logging into your USAJOBS account profile. Click on "My Applications" and search for the vacancy. Once you have located the vacancy, click on the vacancy and select "Apply Online." Move through your existing application to the Documents page and select Upload in order to add a document to your application.
Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation that the document uploaded.
In the Application Review section, you may verify acceptance of your documents in CareerConnector if you see them listed on the "Vacancy Documents" screen. Then, click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS.
Please note there is a 3MB file size limitation on (USAJOBS and CareerConnector). Please scan all files as a lower image quality.
USAID provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
United States Agency for International Development
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington , DC 20523-0016
US
Next steps
You will be rated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience and training you report relative to this position which show that you possess the knowledge, skills and abilities required. Paid or unpaid experience will be considered and references will be checked.
Steps to become a Foreign Service officer with USAID:
Candidates complete application.
Highly qualified applications are referred to the Technical Review Panel.
(TRP) reviews applications and select applicants to be invited for the interview.
Technical Selection Panel (TSP) interviews candidates. Interview day consists of written exam, group discussion, and individual interview.
Reference checks are conducted of TSP recommended candidates.
Successful completion of pre-employment process consisting of Top Secret Security Clearance investigation and Medical clearance.
Candidates who pass all steps are officially offered a job with USAID.
Reminders:
Ensure you meet all requirements before the closing date of the announcement.
If qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency before the closing date of the announcement.
Submit an unofficial copy of your transcript.
Verify that application is completed and submitted.
Contact the help desk for technical assistance before the closing date of the announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents will be required for verification of eligibility before employment is offered: • Proof of United States Citizenship (birth certificate or other acceptable documentation). • Proof of military service (DD214s or other equivalent documents), if applicable. • SF15, Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference and appropriate documentation (for 10-point compensable or non-compensable disability preference, Purple Heart, disability pension, or preference based on service of spouse or child), if applicable. • Official copy of college transcript of education used to qualify you for this position.
Only a copy of unofficial transcript is required with the initial application.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please carefully read all the instructions before you begin the application process.
Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line applicant assessment system that has been specifically configured for US Agency for International Development applicants. To begin the application process, please click on the "Apply Online" button to the right. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical disabilities, membership in an employee organization, or any other nonmerit.
The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday).
If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us by noon ET on the announcement's closing date. If you are having difficulty within the CareerConnector system and need technical assistance please email the help desk at careerconnectorhelp@treasury.gov. The help desk is available to assist you during the hours of 8:00 am- 4:30 pm EST.
Step 1 - Create a resume with USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov) - We suggest you go to the end of the Qualifications & Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer in Step 3. You may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. - You must create a resume in USAJOBS. You must also upload a resume or CV. Although you must enter your Social Security Number (SSN) for USAJOBS, we will only see the last four digits for identification purposes.
Step 2 - Apply Online. Click the "Apply Online" link of this announcement and then select the resume you wish to submit with your application. You will be redirected to the USAID's CareerConnector website to complete the application process.
Step 3 - Answer the Online Questions and Submit Your Online Application If this is your first time on USAID's CareerConnector website, you will be prompted to register by answering questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. The system will save these responses and take you back to the main screen so that you can answer the job-specific questions. Select "Take me to the assessment" and click on the "Continue" button to answer the job-specific questions. You must answer all the questions and click the "Finished" button.
Step 4 - Review and Confirm Your Submission You will upload a document. Once you click "Done," you will see a summary of your application for your review. You may also print a copy for your records. When you click "Finished" at the bottom of the page, you will then be directed back to USAJOBS where you can confirm that your application has been submitted and track your application status.
Step 5 - Submit Required Documents You can submit any required documents (discussed below) by document upload. Please include the job announcement number with your documents. To protect your privacy, we encourage you to remove your SSN from any documents that you submit.
Document Upload: You may upload supporting documents in one of two ways: 1. Once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement, you will be prompted to upload your document(s) to your application. You will be given the choice to either upload the document as part of the application process or you can select a document that you've already loaded on USAJOBS
Or 2. You can upload a document to an existing application by logging into your USAJOBS account profile. Click on "My Applications" and search for the vacancy. Once you have located the vacancy, click on the vacancy and select "Apply Online." Move through your existing application to the Documents page and select Upload in order to add a document to your application.
Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation that the document uploaded.
In the Application Review section, you may verify acceptance of your documents in CareerConnector if you see them listed on the "Vacancy Documents" screen. Then, click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS.
Please note there is a 3MB file size limitation on (USAJOBS and CareerConnector). Please scan all files as a lower image quality.
USAID provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
United States Agency for International Development
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington , DC 20523-0016
US
Next steps
You will be rated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience and training you report relative to this position which show that you possess the knowledge, skills and abilities required. Paid or unpaid experience will be considered and references will be checked.
Steps to become a Foreign Service officer with USAID:
Candidates complete application.
Highly qualified applications are referred to the Technical Review Panel.
(TRP) reviews applications and select applicants to be invited for the interview.
Technical Selection Panel (TSP) interviews candidates. Interview day consists of written exam, group discussion, and individual interview.
Reference checks are conducted of TSP recommended candidates.
Successful completion of pre-employment process consisting of Top Secret Security Clearance investigation and Medical clearance.
Candidates who pass all steps are officially offered a job with USAID.
Reminders:
Ensure you meet all requirements before the closing date of the announcement.
If qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency before the closing date of the announcement.
Submit an unofficial copy of your transcript.
Verify that application is completed and submitted.
Contact the help desk for technical assistance before the closing date of the announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
