Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Japan Engineering Division, Engineering Branch, Mechanical Section
This job announcement has closed

Summary

About the Position: Performs mechanical engineering design and review work for both Host Nation and US funded projects in support of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and other official agencies.

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for OPM Government-wide Direct Hire Authority to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/24/2024 to 08/23/2024
Salary
$81,884 to - $104,213 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Zama, Camp Zama, Japan
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel up to 10% for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
FERM2432883801H
Control number
796641800

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

See "Who May Apply" in the "Qualifications" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.

Videos

Duties

Help
  • Performs mechanical engineering design and review work for both Host Nation and US funded projects.
  • Projects cover problems ranging from the conventional to the complex and require a capability of adapting precedence and engineering theories and principles to the particular needs of the project.
  • Reviews mechanical designs prepared by Architect-Engineers (A-E) to ensure design excellence and that user and funding requirements are met.
  • Prepares the engineering criteria and detailed as well general parameters for guidance in preparing contract plans and specifications.
  • Checks designs for proper interpretation and application of building codes, established technical criteria, sound engineering principles, and standard practices.
  • Responsible in serving other staff elements of the District and other agency staff elements as consultant and technical expert in mechanical engineering problems involving planning, design, construction, and operations.
  • Performs quality assurance reviews for soundness of mechanical engineering in a variety of areas and system types such as HVAC, compressed air, plumbing, and Cybersecurity, etc.
  • Applies advanced concepts, principles, and practices of mechanical engineering to interpret and develop technical criteria.
  • Prepares replies to architect-engineer firms, other Districts/Centers, or contractors/manufacturers regarding the mechanical portions to set forth the basis for exceptions taken and revisions required in proposed mechanical systems.
  • Perform inspections and assessments of existing mechanical systems and develops memos and reports with recommendations for correction or improvement.
  • Maintain awareness of current advances in mechanical design and construction to recommend changes in programs, practices, methods or design procedures.
  • Ensures that design drawings, design analysis, and specifications are accurate, and that conclusion and assumptions are sound.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • Applicants must comply with the Exceptional Family Member Program requirements as outlined in the DoD Instruction 1315.19.
  • Must be able to satisfy the requirements of the 26JUL12 DODI 1400.25 V1230, DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Employment in Foreign Areas and Employee Return Rights. Visit http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/140025v1230.pdf.
  • This position requires a Public Trust Security Background investigation.
  • This position requires approximately 10% of your duty to be performed in Temporary Duty Away (TDY) from your place of work status (Travel Conditions).
  • The incumbent must possess or be able to obtain/maintain a Professional Engineer License.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: All US Citizens

If you are currently stationed in the overseas area, all of your overseas time will be credited toward your current overseas tour end date. Your overseas time served will not reset upon accepting this assignment.

If you have returned from OCONUS within the past 2 years or less, your time previously served in the OCONUS area will be credited to your 5 year overseas rotation upon accepting this assignment.

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience.

Basic Requirement for Mechanical Engineer:
A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in Mechanical engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (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 of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) heat transfer; (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, electrical fields and circuits, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. 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 engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure - Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions. Licensure as a Mechanical Professional Engineer is not required but is highly preferred. Applicants who have a current (PE) License must submit a copy of your license or certification with your application package.
2. Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or any other written test required for professional registration, by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in A above. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program.
4. Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience:
One year of specialized experience which includes meeting THREE OF THE FOLLOWING: 1) Developing detailed mechanical engineering reports, plans, and/or specifications for new construction, renovation, or rehabilitation projects for mechanical and plumbing equipment and features of complex construction projects; and 2) Perform inspections and assessments of existing mechanical systems and develops memos and reports with recommendations for correction or improvement; 3) Utilize computer based design tools to analyze viability of building cooling, heating, and ventilation loads for the purpose of selecting mechanical equipment, annual energy cost consumption evaluation, and Life Cycle Cost Analysis; 4) Providing technical review of Architect/Engineer or in-house designs, specifications, and/or reports as related to mechanical and plumbing issues for technical adequacy and compliance with codes and regulations; 5) Preparing technical specifications, material estimates, technical reports, and/or portions of design memoranda for an engineering program. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11) or equivalent grade level.

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-11).

Separated Military Members: Resumes will be accepted from members of the Armed Forces who indicate in their applications that they are available for appointment within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. Military members may be appointed while on terminal/transitional leave, before the effective date of their military retirement/separation.

Military Retirees: Within the DoD (Department of Defense), including non-appropriated fund positions, the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following the retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326 or 5 U.S.C. 5305.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Additional information

  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • U.S. citizens overseas under ordinarily resident status are not eligible for appointment under the Status of Forces Agreement.
  • Locality pay does not apply in the overseas area.
  • If an employee brings a child to an overseas location and that child is entitled to attend a DoD school on a space-required basis in accordance with DoDEA Regulation 1342.13, the DoDEA and the Military Department responsible for providing related services will ensure that the child, if eligible for special education, receives a free appropriate public education, including related services pursuant to DoDI 1342.12 and DoDM 1342.12.
  • If an employee brings an infant or toddler (up to 3 years of age) to an overseas location, and that infant or toddler, but for the child's age, is entitled to attend the DoDEA on a space-required basis in accordance with DoDEA Regulation 1342.13, then the Military Department responsible for EIS will provide the infant or toddler with the required EIS in accordance with the eligibility criteria consistent with DoDI 1342.12 and DoDM 1342.12.
  • Employees (and family members) who require medical or dental care in the overseas location will be responsible for obtaining and paying for such care. Access for civilian employees and their families to military medical and dental treatment facilities is on a space-available and reimbursable basis only.
  • Pay retention may be offered to selected applicants for positions at overseas locations. Pay retention will not be offered as an incentive for employees moving between overseas positions.
  • Selectees may receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, home leave, etc. Selectees will have their eligibility for foreign area benefits determined at the time of hire in accordance with Department of State Standardized Regulation (DSSR) and DoDI 1400.25 volume 1250.
  • For positions in a foreign country, that country's laws or international agreements may have a direct impact on the ability of an employee's same sex domestic partner or spouse to accompany the employee and receive certain benefits. If you believe you may be affected by these laws and agreements, you should familiarize yourself with relevant information and direct questions concerning a specific country (Foreign Duty Location) to the appropriate Army Human Resources point of contact prior to the acceptance of employment and your entrance on duty.
  • The initial length of this overseas tour is 36 months for Camp Zama.
  • Defense National Relocation Program will not be authorized.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations.
  • Relocation/Recruitment and Advanced in Hire incentive may be authorized for eligible candidates based on funding availability.
  • Student Loan Repayment/Advanced Leave Accrual/Separate Maintenance Allowance are not authorized.

How you will be evaluated

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

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents).

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.

If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.

You may claim Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible (PPP DoD MSP)
You may claim Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement (PPP DoD MRNG Dis)
You may claim Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible (PPP DoD MRNG)

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.