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Interdisciplinary

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Alaska District, Engineering Division, Design Branch, Cost Engineering Section

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Serves as senior Cost Engineer on engineering cost estimates for planning design and execution of construction by contract projects. Responsible for the preparation of construction cost estimates for all architectural, and engineering features and reviews the estimates.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/13/2026 to 05/27/2026
Salary
$103,755 - $139,218 per year

Architect, Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Landscape Architect GS-12: $103,755 - $134,120 / Electrical Engineer GS-12: $108,853 - $139,218

Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Elmendorf AFB, AK
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—Eligible for Situational Telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed "unscheduled telework"
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel up to 25% for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CEDD-26-12952694-DHA
Control number
869035000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

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Duties

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  • Serve as senior Cost Engineer on engineering cost estimates for planning design and execution of construction by contract projects.
  • Prepares Current Working Estimates and design control estimates from sketches, plans, notes and specifications by others.
  • Prepares preliminary Government Estimates using parametric methods and historical data to be used for budgetary and programmatic purposes.
  • Reviews estimates prepared by peers and contracted architect/engineering design firms or firms specializing in construction cost estimating for correct format, etc.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of up to 25% of the time.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement: This position has a basic entry requirement. The entry requirement requires completion of education or a combination of education and experience sufficient to be comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a four-year course of study with a major in the professional or scientific field. Please refer to the following sites for all possible ways to meet the Basic Requirements for this position:

Basic Requirement for Engineer: Click here

Basic Requirement for Architect: Click here

Basic Requirement for Landscape Architect: Click here


In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Your resume must describe at least one year of specialized experience which prepared you to do the work in this job.

Specialized Experience for GS-11: One year of specialized experience which includes: preparing cost estimates for complex military and civilian construction projects; prepared estimates, suggested design improvements, and reviewed contractor costs for accuracy and compliance; using cost estimation software independently to prepare accurate estimates following guidelines.

GS-12 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes extensive experience independently preparing cost estimates for highly complex and specialized military, environmental, or civil works projects, including in challenging environments like the Arctic; Leading the preparation of detailed construction cost estimates, including complex government estimates and change orders; Making high-level recommendations for design changes, alternative solutions, or cost-effective project alternatives during value engineering studies; Addressing highly specialized construction issues requiring unique methods or no existing precedents, including analyzing contractor risk and proposing mitigation; AND Mastery in using approved cost estimation software such as MCACES to prepare a full range of estimates from preliminary to final control and change orders. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).

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.

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/

Additional information

  • 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.
  • This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • 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.
  • This is a(n) Engineers and Scientists Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • 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.htm for more information.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives may be authorized subject to an agency determination.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Looking for a great place to work? The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is one of the best! In 2020, USACE ranked #2 of government large-agency subcomponent! USACE is one of the world's premier public engineering, design, and construction management agencies. We serve the American people, striving to provide the most effective engineering and environmental science solutions to the nation's complex problems affecting national security, the economy and the environment in which we live.

USACE offers a team-inspiring and collaborative work environment; providing challenging and rewarding careers across a variety of disciplines. We rely on leaders with vision, creativity, and programmatic and technical expertise to lead us into the future. Align your talents with your passion and find out why the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is a great place to work!

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
RM-W2SN04 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-ALASKA
DO NOT MAIL
Anchorage, AK 99506
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.usace.army.mil/Careers/

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