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Civil Engineer (Cost)

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Huntington District 1-GS 13/14 1-GS-14 and Pittsburgh District 1-GS 13

Summary

About the Position: Please indicate in your cover letter or resume introduction which position below you are interested in.

  • Huntington Dam Safety Production Center GS-13 full performance 14 (hire at either grade) (Multiple Location Options)
  • Huntington Dam Safety Center GS-14 (Multiple Location Options)
  • Pittsburgh Regional Inland NAV Design Production Center GS-13 (Multiple Location Options)
A seat location must be confirmed in a USACE office before a final offer is made.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 08/10/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 10, 2026
Location
3 vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Eligible for situational Telework only, including emergency and OPM prescribed "unscheduled Telework".
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$106,437 - $190,627 per year

Pay will be set based on duty location and grade level. See the additional info section for link to pay tables.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Promotion potential
None - If selected for the Huntington GS 13 there will promotion potential to the GS 14.
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CEDB-26-13016111-MP
Control number
877975700

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Duties

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  • The GS-13 Huntington position will perform SME level work with assignments designed to provide the competencies, skills, and experience required to perform the more complex work at the full performance grade level of GS 14 duties listed below.
  • GS-14 Lead diverse cost-estimating teams to produce cost estimates and schedules, and review and comment on resource-loaded project schedules and construction sequencing for highly complex dam safety modification projects throughout the nation.
  • GS-14 Lead HQUSACE initiatives supporting collection and application of lessons learned on design and construction projects, and analysis of remaining capital investment and priorities for the dam safety program on a national level.
  • GS-14 Estimate programmatic funding requirements for dam safety modifications for a portfolio of high-risk dams; estimates are used to determine project priorities on a national level for the dam safety program.
  • GS-14 Lead a team of dam safety professionals, assigning and reviewing work, establishing priorities, ensuring resources are available, and providing input to performance evaluations.
  • GS-14 Represent USACE on DoD and other interagency groups and conferences attended by top level representatives of industry and government
  • GS-14 Establish and refine cost-estimating policies and resolve problems affecting current and planned dam safety modification activities.
  • GS-14 Develop curriculum for Center-led courses for Federal civilian and military agencies and civil infrastructure industry partners
  • GS-14 Perform as technical mentor for cost engineering specialists working for entities across the country, including dam safety production centers and districts.
  • GS-14 Perform agency technical review of major rehabilitation and dam safety modification reports for USACE districts in terms of the adequacy and accuracy of schedules and cost estimates
  • GS-14 Perform agency technical review of major rehabilitation and dam safety modification reports for USACE districts in terms of the adequacy and accuracy of schedules and cost estimates
  • GS-14 Lead HQUSACE initiatives supporting collection and application of lessons learned on design and construction projects, and analysis of remaining capital investment and priorities for the national dam safety program. Dam Safety Center Only
  • GS-14 Develop and review USACE engineering publications, criteria, and guidance and make technical presentations disseminating policy and cost-engineering criteria developed by the Dam Safety Center for USACE-wide application. Dam Safety Center Only
  • GS-13 Pittsburgh Regional Inland NAV Design Production Center position duties are listed below.
  • GS-13 LRP Develop cost estimates for large and complex civil works inland navigation project systems and components.
  • GS-13 LRP Provides subject matter technical expertise and interface for complex risk analysis, highly specialized design, design review, construction, and rehabilitation for this diverse array of inland navigation projects and functions.
  • GS-13 LRP Development of cost estimates and construction schedules (including cost and schedule risk analyses) for products such as feasibility studies, major rehabilitation reports, design documentation reports, plans and specifications.
  • GS-13 LRP Serve as technical advisor and mentor to lower graded personnel and provide technical direction consistent with Corps policy to Districts and Architect-Engineer firms (AE).
  • GS-13 LRP Review/recommend approval of Decision/Implementation documents.

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.
  • All positions require a Professional Engineer License and either a Certified Cost Engineer (CCE) or Certified Cost Consultant (CCC)
  • Huntington positions TDY travel up to 20-30%.
  • Pittsburgh position TDY travel up to 15%.
  • Huntington positions require a valid state driver's license.
  • 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 315.

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 Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Executive Order (E.O.) 12721
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
  • People with Disabilities, Schedule A
  • 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
  • Reinstatement
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998


In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or 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.

IN ADDITION TO THE EXPERIENCE NEEDED TO QUALIFY FOR THESE POSITIONS, YOU MUST ALSO MEET THE BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT OUTLINED IN THE EDUCATION SECTION.

SPEICIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-13: developing construction cost estimates and/or independent government estimates (IGE) for civil works projects; developing budgetary construction cost estimates; evaluating bids and proposals received for construction project proposals; developing estimates for modifications needed for construction projects. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12).
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-14: cost estimating, scheduling, and cost/schedule risk analysis as required to analyze projects for budgeting and implementation of dam safety projects; developing cost estimates and construction schedules to support dam safety modifications; performing technical cost analysis of construction contractor proposals; AND leading teams to complete various dam safety studies and associated reports. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-13).

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:
52 weeks at the GS 12 for the GS 13
52 weeks at the GS-13 for the GS-14

Education

Basic Education for GS-0810 (Engineering Series):
Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in engineering. T
o 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) 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 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.
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.

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) cP18 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/ 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.
  • Pay will be set based on duty location and grade level. Visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2025/general-schedule/ for the current GS Locality Pay Tables.
  • A relocation incentive may be authorized with a signed service agreement.

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

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.

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), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

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.

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.

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.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

At the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), we do not just construct infrastructure; we engineer the future of our Nation. From securing vital water resource infrastructure and restoring fragile ecosystems to designing world-class facilities for our armed forces and responding to natural disasters, our work touches lives every day.

By joining USACE, you will have the opportunity to contribute to high-impact, meaningful projects, collaborate with a diverse network of dedicated professionals, and advance your career. Here, your skills do not just build structures; they build national resilience, protect local communities, and support a safer, stronger tomorrow.

Build Strong With Us - explore our opportunities and engineer your legacy today.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
RE-W2SM04 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-PITTSBURGH
DO NOT MAIL
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
US

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

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