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Engineering Technician (Civil)(Bridge)

Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The incumbent works with structural engineers using Computer Aided Drafting, i.e., Microstation and Open Bridge Modeler, to prepare detailed contract drawings. The position requires computations from field survey data to determine dimensions and elevations for proper clearances, grade, and alignment. They also plan, organize, and prepare drawings in sufficient detail to permit ordering and fabrication of all materials and erection of the structure.

First review is 10 days from the open date.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
02/23/2024 to 01/21/2025
Salary
$80,665 to - $104,861 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Lakewood, CO
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—The position may be eligible for telework. This is not a full-time telework position or approved as a remote work position.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel is required for trips to field sites.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation may be authorized for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
FHWA.CFL-2024-0024
Control number
777957300

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Duties

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As an Engineering Technician (Civil) (Bridge), you will:

  • Use Computer Assisted Design and Drafting (CADD) software to develop and modify 2D and 3D files using Microstation V8i w/Geopak Rebar, ProStructures, Open Bridge Modeler and Open Bridge Designer, as well as incorporate information from Open Roads Designer and other drafting software as necessary.
  • Prepare type, size, and location (TS&L) drawings based on the results of site investigations and survey and map incorporating existing and proposed structures, drainage areas, and topography.
  • Develop plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) by performing material quantity calculations for items such as excavation, concrete, and reinforcing steel.

The ideal candidate is a mid-level career employee with thorough knowledge of structural detailing practices for plan preparation with respect to bridges, culverts, retaining walls, and miscellaneous highway structures. The incumbent has thorough knowledge and experience in the use of Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) software, specifically Microstation, Open Roads Designer, Open Bridge Modeler, and Geopak Rebar.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
  • Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible for consideration.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
  • BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
  • PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection and a service agreement may be required.
  • TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
  • PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
  • DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
  • GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel.  A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
  • PHYSICAL CONDITIONS: Occasional trips to the field will require considerable and strenuous walking, bending, climbing and lifting less than 25 lbs. on rugged terrain.
  • WORK ENVIRONMENT: While on trips to the field there may be occasional exposure to conditions of potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress requiring a safety and other precautions where conditions cannot be controlled.
  • TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position may be eligible for occasional and/or regularly scheduled telework.  The number of telework days approved will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency’s telework policy and guidance. If participating      in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position.

Qualifications

Individual Occupational Requirements for series 0802 (for positions at GS-4 or equivalent and above): This series covers technical positions supervising, leading, or performing work involving applying a practical knowledge of the methods and techniques of engineering or architecture; and 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 such as:

  • Planner and estimator who analyzed designs for production purposes.
  • Instrument maker or model maker who performed design or development work on devices fabricated.

Certification: Engineering technicians may be certified by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies, an organization sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Certification by the Institute will be helpful as a measure of the technician's quality of experience.

For more information refer to: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/engineering-technical-series-0802/

To determine if you are eligible, review the following grade specific details.  You will be asked questions as part of your application but make sure to verify how you meet this experience in your resume or you may be deemed ineligible.  

For the GS-11: On Experience, you must have at least one year of specialized experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-09 grade levelwhich included:

  • Experience using MICROSTATION and/or Open Road/Bridge Modeler to develop contract drawings of structural elements for transportation projects; AND
  • Experience using Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) equipment to prepare sketches for transportation-related structures.

You cannot qualify based on education, you must have experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will also be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  1. Computer Skills - Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
  2. Design - Knowledge of conceptualizing, developing, producing, understanding, and using plans, models, blueprints, and maps, including the use of tools and instruments to produce precision technical drawings, working prototypes, components, or systems.
  3. Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
  4. Quality Management - Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools of quality assurance, quality control, and reliability used to ensure that a project, system, or product fulfills requirements and standards.
  5. Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

For all types of consideration, 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.

Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

See the Qualifications section for the Mandatory Education Requirements.


Additional information

This announcement establishes an open continuous period for this series/grade. We will perform interim reviews of all applications as positions become vacant.  You must meet all eligible requirements at the time of consideration. 

The first review will be 10 days after the opening date.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

If you are hired for this position; you will not receive additional consideration from this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

Given our continuing need for professionals in this field, we may routinely review applications and refer candidates for potential interviews multiple times during the open period of the announcement.  This announcement may close earlier or be extended, NTE a total of 1 year.

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level. 

To compete with U.S. Citizens:  If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of two categories: Qualified and Well Qualified which is based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference that have provided supporting documents will receive selection priority over non-veterans. The top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position.

To compete with other competitive status government employees: If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be scored based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. The top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.

Eligible Federal employees also seeking consideration for noncompetitive reassignment for this position must indicate interest in the assessment. Noncompetitive federal candidates must have competitive status on a SF-50, meet minimum qualifications, have served at the same grade or higher, and held or exceeded the promotion potential of this position.

All applicants:  Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. The answers you select in the on-line process must be substantiated in your application package.  If upon review, it is determined that your described work history, competencies, and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be updated on your behalf or you may not be referred to the selecting official. Please ensure that your work history provides enough details to support your answers. The Automated Staffing Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating.


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