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Civil Engineer

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Engineering Division, Geotechnical Branch

Summary

About the Position: Serve as a Civil Engineer (Geotechnical) responsible for planning, analysis, design, and review of geotechnical features for civil works projects. Conduct investigations and evaluate soil properties to support the design of foundations, floodwalls, embankments, and other earth structures. Perform geotechnical engineering analyses including slope stability, seepage, settlement, etc. evaluations. Prepare/review engineering reports, plans, specifications, and cost estimates.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/14/2026 to 05/28/2026
Salary
$45,239 - $129,225 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 12
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
New Orleans, LA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
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
CEDC-26-12952979
Control number
869201600

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Duties

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  • Serve as a Civil Engineer (Geotechnical) responsible for planning, analysis, design, and review of geotechnical features for civil works projects within the New Orleans District.
  • Conduct subsurface investigations and evaluate soil and rock properties to support the design of foundations, levees, floodwalls, embankments, and other earth structures.
  • Perform geotechnical engineering analyses including slope stability, seepage, settlement, and bearing capacity evaluations using standard engineering methods and software.
  • Prepare and review engineering reports, plans, specifications, and cost estimates in accordance with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) policies and engineering standards.
  • Provide technical support during construction, including review of contractor submittals, field inspections, and resolution of geotechnical issues encountered during construction.
  • Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams (structural, hydraulic, environmental, and construction personnel) to ensure project objectives are met.
  • Apply risk-informed decision-making and ensure compliance with applicable federal regulations, engineering guidance, and safety standards.

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 10% of the time.
  • Appointment to this position is subject to a one-year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 11.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • Current Civilian Employees of the Command
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

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 Education Requirement for All Grades: GS-0810 (Engineer) Series
AND
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:
Specialized Experience at the GS-5: No specialized experience needed. You must meet the basic education requirements to qualify for the GS-05 grade.
Specialized Experience at the GS-7:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service which includes:

1) Assisting with geotechnical engineering analyses such as foundation design, slope stability, seepage, or settlement evaluations; 2) Supporting subsurface investigations and interpreting soil and laboratory test data.

OR
One full academic year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as general engineering; (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in B above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on: Class Standing - You must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses;
OR
Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - You must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR Honor Society Membership - You may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/).
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.
Specialized Experience at the GS-9:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service which includes:
1) Assisting with geotechnical engineering analyses such as foundation design, slope stability, seepage, or settlement evaluations; AND 2) Supporting subsurface investigations and interpreting soil and laboratory test data; AND: 3) Contributing to the preparation of engineering reports, plans, and specifications.
OR
Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as general engineering.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.
Specialized Experience at the GS-11:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service which includes:
1) Assisting with geotechnical engineering analyses such as foundation design, slope stability, seepage, or settlement evaluations; AND 2) Supporting subsurface investigations and interpreting soil and laboratory test data; AND 3) Contributing to the preparation of engineering reports, plans, and specifications; 4) Applying standard civil/geotechnical engineering principles, practices, and techniques to assigned projects.
OR
A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as general engineering.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Education

Specialized Experience at the GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service which includes 1) Performing independent geotechnical engineering analyses for foundations, levees, embankments, flood control structures, or similar infrastructure; AND 2) Designing and/or reviewing geotechnical features and developing engineering recommendations based on subsurface data; AND 3) Preparing and reviewing detailed engineering reports, plans, and specifications in accordance with USACE guidance; AND 4) Providing technical guidance and resolving complex geotechnical engineering problems during design and construction phases.
AND
Must have and maintain a Professional Engineer (PE) license for promotion to the GS-12.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas

  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Oral Communication
  • Organizational Development

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a non-temporary General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-05 for the GS-07; GS-07 for the GS-09; GS-09 for the GS-11; GS-11 for GS-12).
With regards to time-in-grade validation, if you held a position other than a GS pay plan, be sure your resume includes the pay plan and the salary you earned during the assignment. Without this information, your time-in-grade validation may not be able to be verified and will result in your not meeting the time-grade requirement for this vacancy.
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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 Career Program (CP) 18 position.
  • You may claim military spouse preference (MSP).
  • If a MSP applicant is determined best qualified and selected, placement must be at the full performance level for priority consideration.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
  • Management may select at any of the grade levels announced. This position has promotion potential to the GS-12.
  • Promotion is never automatic. Promotion is based on the recommendation by the supervisor that employee meets all necessary qualification requirements for promotion, is performing the full scope of the major duties, and is functioning under the supervisory controls as stated in the target job description.
  • Non-Competitive promotion to the next level may be affected provided the incumbent is sufficiently experienced: meets all necessary qualification requirements for promotion to the target job; and is performing the full scope of the major duties and is functioning under the supervisory controls stated in the target job description including professional licensure.

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.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) applicants will receive preference consideration and will be placed (if selected) at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined best qualified, up to and including the full performance level.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicants will receive preference consideration at the full-performance grade level only.

Only MSP/PPP applicants currently occupying a formal training program position are entitled to exercise their priority status.

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.

As part of the assessment process, your resume will be evaluated using a competency-based assessment method. This structured evaluation measures your qualifications, experience, and skills against the core competencies required for the position. Final scores will determine whether you are referred to the Hiring Manager for further consideration."

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
RG-W2R902 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-NEW ORLEANS
DO NOT MAIL
New Orleans, LA 70118
US

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

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