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Civil Engineer

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These positions are being concurrently announced under Pathways Recent Graduate program as announcement number 19-NCH-ENG-810-57-RG. Current federal employees may apply to both announcements. This position may be filled at the GS-05 or GS-07 grade level with promotion potential to the GS-09/11.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Posted 10/09/18
Location
MANY vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. Additional relocation benefits are not available.
Salary
$33,394 - $53,773 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 05 - 07
Promotion potential
09
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-Time
Travel Required
25% or less - Overnight travel will be required for training and work assignments.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Announcement number
19-NCH-ENG-810-57-FS-MG
Control number
513199100

Duties

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At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.

Duties listed below are for a GS-0810-07:

  • Conducts preliminary surveys and site investigations to obtain baseline and field data on soils, topography, drainage, existing structures and utilities, and feasible layout of proposed roads, facilities or structures in relation to terrain. Prepares design criteria for smaller or less complex portions of conventional roads, facilities, utility systems, or structures. Prepares completed road designs involving drainage structures, base and surfacing analysis, and special structures using basic survey data.
  • Supervises inspection of construction operations for compliance with intent of design and specifications; interprets plans and specifications; confers with contractor representatives to resolve differences. Computes quantities and makes cost estimates based on cost data and knowledge of project, terrain, and climate.
  • Plans and conducts civil engineering projects according to clear and specified objectives. Develops programs for maintenance of facilities, which includes determination of necessity for, feasibility of, and extent of work required; development of project or program proposals to obtain budget approval; preparation of designs or specifications; and accomplishment of repair and modification work.
  • Observes and investigates construction at all stages to identify problems, take timely action to change designs within delegated authority, or recommend changes to solve problems. Participates in field surveys and investigations of existing facilities and utility systems to ensure that maintenance and repair schedules and procedures conform to safety, health, and regulatory requirements.
  • Investigates need for and prepares engineering data for change orders, considering conditions at work site, field measurements and computations, and local prices, sometimes discussing and working out details with contractor personnel.
These positions are located in the following locations: BU=Bargaining Unit; NON BU=Non Bargaining Unit; TOS=Transfer of Station

Positions in the following locations are full performance GS-09 and are without relocation (TOS) available and BU eligible:
  • Porterville, CA - For additional information, please contact Marcos Rios at 559-784-1500 x 1141 or mdrios@fs.fed.us
  • Redding, CA - For additional information, please contact Pete Cates at 530-226-2327 or petercates@fs.fed.us
  • South Lake Tahoe, CA - For additional information, please contact Michael Gabor at 530-543-2642 or mgabor@fs.fed.us
  • Sandy and Springfield, OR - For additional information, please contact Holly Jewkes at 541-225-6311 or hjewkes@fs.fed.us OR Walter Hislop at 503-668-1799 or whislop@fs.fed.us
Positions in the following locations are full performance GS-09 and are with relocation (TOS) available and BU eligible:
  • Ironwood, MI - For additional information, please contact Lisa Klaus at 906-285-6904 or lklaus@fs.fed.us
Positions in the following locations are full performance GS-09 and are without relocation (TOS) available and NON BU eligible:
  • Conifer, CO - For additional information, please contact Lacie Davilman at 719-553-1492 or ldavilman@fs.fed.us
  • Delta, CO - For additional information, please contact Cande Read at 970-874-6609 or cread@fs.fed.us
Positions in the following locations are full performance GS-09 and are with relocation (TOS) available and NON BU eligible:
  • Bedford, IN - For additional information, please contact Brad Lidell at 812-276-4756 or blidell@fs.fed.us
  • Rolla, MO - For additional information, please contact Amy Wilson at 573-341-7464 or amydwilson@fs.fed.us
Positions in the following locations are full performance GS-11 and are without relocation (TOS) available and NON BU eligible:
  • Watford City, ND - For additional information, please contact Curtis Grudniewski at 701-842-8528 or cgrudniewski@fs.fed.us
The duty station for these positions will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Final determination of duty station will be made by the selecting official at the time of job offer. Salary range as shown is the locality pay area of Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary depending on location and may be higher or lower than the amount shown. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management’s website for additional information on pay rates.

If you have questions on how to apply, please see the Agency Contact Information which is listed below.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
  • Satisfactory Background investigation and/or fingerprint check
  • Successful completion of 1 year probationary period, unless already served

No Additional Requirements

Women of Color STEM Conference Information:
The Forest Service will be attending the Women of Color STEM Conference in Detroit, MI on October 11-13, 2018 and will be accepting applications online through USAJobs. This is a recruitment event for Pathways positions that will be available online. Applicants can come speak to Forest Service representatives and apply for positions via USAJobs during the Women of Color STEM Career Fair Expo on Saturaday, 10/13/2018 from 10am – 4pm EST in the Cobo Center Computer Lab, Room 336, Level 3.
 
The link to the hiring event at the Women of Color STEM convention can be found at: http://s4.goeshow.com/ccgroup/womenofcolor/2018/sessions.cfm and https://intouch.ccgmag.com/page/woc_conference2
 
The Women of Color (WOC) STEM event will be located at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center Cobo Center, 1 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 482226. Directions and parking for the WOC-STEM convention can be found at: http://s4.goeshow.com/ccgroup/womenofcolor/2018/travel_transportation.cfm

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement as defined below. 
 
You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered qualified for this position, which includes all positive education requirements if applicable. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. When using previous work experience to qualify for the position, your resume must clearly detail the appropriate experience requirements.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS for the GS-05 and GS-07:

Degree:
Engineering. The program must: (1) be from 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: (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 professional engineering, and (2) theoretical and practical understanding of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering as demonstrated by one of the following:

  • Professional registration/licensure - Current registration as a professional engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
  • Written Test – Passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or a written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board.
  • Specified academic courses - Completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences that included the courses specified in the degree requirements.
  • Related curriculum - 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, and at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision.
In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional education and/or experience are required for the grade(s) specified.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

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.

GS-05
: No specialized experience required. Applicants who meet the basic education requirements described above are fully qualified for the GS-05 entry grade.

GS-07: Applicants must have one full year of graduate level education (coursework directly related to position being filled); OR Superior Academic Achievement (click the link to determine if you are eligible: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp); OR successful completion of a 5-year program of study of at least 160 semester hours leading to a bachelors degree in engineering; OR one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level; OR an appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. Professional engineering experience for grades GS-07 and above is defined as non-routine engineering work that required and was characterized by (1) professional knowledge of engineering; (2) professional ability to apply such knowledge to engineering problems; and (3) positive and continuing development of professional knowledge and ability.

Specialized experience is defined as: Performed basic engineering analyses/evaluations of potential safety regulation deficiencies; interpreted/evaluated test conditions and results; assisted in designing/developing routine construction drawings/specifications for projects; used standard tables/formulas to perform engineering calculations; coordinated testing requirements/parameters; assisted with site visits to ensure construction was in compliance with established contract specifications; applied/adapted a variety of standard computation and analysis methods, including the use of statistical and graphics methods to present engineering data; assisted in gathering data by performing basic surveys/investigations.

Please note that Superior Academic Achievement can only be applied if you have graduated or completed (or expect to complete within 9 months) all the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. 

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT GS-07 ONLY: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met as of the date a certificate is issued.

Education

Education completed in foreign colleges and universities may be used if it has been accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

All academic degrees or course work must be completed in an educational institution that has obtained accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.edu.gov/

This position has a positive education requirement, as outlined above under basic qualifications. The term positive education requirement refers to an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) determination that the duties of a scientific, technical, or professional position cannot be performed by an individual that does not have the prescribed minimum education. For additional information on the qualification standards for the 0810 series, visit the OPM Qualifications Standard found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

Additional information

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND FINGERPRINT CHECK: Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation.
Bargaining Unit Status: Eligible-Coverage is dependent upon unit location.
This is a bargaining unit position represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of 100.
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary and term employees the opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years and the last temporary or term appointment must have been with the Forest Service. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).
For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Resource Assistant Program (RAP) and Public Land Corps (PLC), explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website.
Direct Deposit-Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
Federal law requires agencies to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. If you are selected as a newly hired employee, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS 'E-VERIFY' system. Under the system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed.
The incumbents of this position may be reassigned/relocated to any geographical location where the employee’s services are needed as determined by management.
This position is eligible for telework and other flexible work arrangements.
Forest Service daycare facilities: Not available.
Government housing may be available.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:

    • Knowledge of civil engineering design principles, concepts, and practices for the construction and maintenance of facilities or structures
    • Knowledge of construction practices, methods, techniques, costs, materials and equipment
    • Ability to plan civil engineering projects
    • Ability to oversee civil engineering projects
    • Ability to communicate other than in writing

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need to meet minimum qualifications to be referred.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.


To view the application form, visit: https://fs.usda.ntis.gov/cp/?event=jobs.previewApplication&jobid=DD79F964-1EBD-4161-B857-A96C00A62F04

Forest Service

A career with the Forest Service will challenge you to manage and care for more than 193 million acres of our nation's most magnificent lands, conduct research through a network of forest and range experiment stations and the Forest Products Laboratory, and provide assistance to State and private forestry agencies.

It's an awesome responsibility - but the rewards are as limitless as the views.

USDA is a great place to start or continue your career. USDA is ranked as one of the top 10 "Best Places to Work in the Federal Government" by the Partnership for Public Service. Rankings are based on employee feedback regarding satisfaction with their work experience.

Agency contact information

HRM Contact Center
Phone
877-372-7248 option 2
TDD
800-877-8339
Fax
N/A
Email
fsjobs@fs.fed.us
Address
USDA Forest Service
Please do not mail in application, see instructions under How to Apply tab
Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87109
United States

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