Clarification from the agency

** The closing date of this announcement has been extended to April 6, 2020. Applications will be accepted from all U.S. Citizens.

This positions will have a civil engineering design focus.  This position is a career-ladder appointment starting at the GS-7 level with full performance level to the GS-11. The engineers may be promoted to the next higher grade level after one year of satisfactory work performance. Please see OPM Salaries: DC-BALT for an idea of possible future salaries.

If selected at the GS-7 level, the selectee will serve as an advanced trainee performing a variety of developmental assignments designed to progressively develop the experience required to assume greater responsibilities in assisting senior staff in the Office of Planning and Project Management. 

MAJOR DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Assists in the development of designs relating to civil engineering systems. This design assistance includes but is not limited to construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, tunnels, channels, irrigation projects, pedestrian ways, pipelines, power plants, water and sewage systems, storm water management, waste disposal units and gas and electrical service.

• Assists in the implementation and execution of the AOC Dig Safe Program. Works with in-house forces to obtain data and complete evaluations to determine if the Safe Dig Permit Application meets the AOC requirements. 

• The incumbent shall have the ability to prepare CAD documents in Microstation and be familiar with the use of various types of civil engineering and construction management software.

• Observes and monitors construction and maintenance operations on behalf of senior engineer.

• Coordinates with design consultants, project managers, contractors and Jurisdiction officials to maintain progress toward project completion.

• Assists Project Managers developing and managing the design and construction of multi-million dollar capital renewal and capital improvement construction and renovation projects.

• Prepares and updates project schedules for project delivery efforts and implements a project management system to facilitate review, control and reporting of all project matters.

• In a development capacity, serves as Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) to ensure accurate and adequate oversight of contractor performance according to contract requirements.

• In a development capacity, assists with submitting information in support of the fiscal year annual report and developing annual budget requests to identify anticipated expenses of operations and maintenance activities.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen
• You must be able to pass a drug test
• You must meet the education requirement

Undergraduate college/university degrees must be completed by August 31, 2020 for you to be eligible.  

Selectees must report for duty within 30 days after graduation.

Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at OPM qualification standards

In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, you must have specialized experience or directly related graduate education, OR Superior Academic Achievement, OR a combination of experience and education as described below.

For the GS-7:

Education:  At least one year of graduate level education in a field of study which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of an Engineer.

OR

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university that meets one of the requirements for Superior Academic Achievement based on one of the following: (1) Class Standing: you must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision; or (2) Grade-Point Average: You must have a GPA of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 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 (3) 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.

OR

Specialized experience:  Experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.  Candidates for the GS-7 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower GS-5 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates experience assisting senior engineers with engineering projects that include at least 3 of the following:

1. Completing tasks in support of engineering projects following established work procedures and specific guidelines.
2. Analyzing problems by gathering pertinent data to identify significant factors.
3. Assisting in planning or conducting special initiatives, studies, or projects.
4. Communicating factual or procedural information clearly to individuals or groups.
5. Drafting documents that include technical specifications.

OR

Combination of education and experience: An equivalent combination of the specialized experience and the graduate-level education described above. This may apply if you have less than one year of specialized experience and less than one year of relevant graduate education. To determine if you qualify under this combination, first determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the specialized experience required; then determine your education as a percentage of the graduate education required; and then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.

For the GS-9:

Education: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.  Must be relevant to the duties of the position. 

OR

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.  Applicants must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates all of the following:

1. Assisting in the design and development of construction drawings for civil engineering projects from the preliminary planning stage through the design and construction phases.
2. Assisting in the performance of project management, to include conducting site visits to monitor construction progress and ensure compliance with established contract specifications.
3. Providing technical engineering guidance.
4. Conducting research and gathering information necessary for permit applications.
5. Performing contract administration and/or oversight duties on construction projects.

OR

Combination of education and experience: An equivalent combination of the specialized experience and the graduate-level education described above.

For the GS-11:

Education:  3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

OR

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.  Applicants for the GS-11 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates all of the following:

1. Developing construction drawings and design criteria for civil engineering projects and managing projects from the preliminary planning stage through the design and construction phases.
2. Performing project management and oversight of contractor performance to ensure all requirements are met.
3. Providing technical engineering guidance.
4. Serving as Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) or equivalent on engineering-related projects.

OR

Combination of education and experience:  An equivalent combination of the specialized experience and the graduate-level education described above.

How you will be evaluated

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

Review your resume and responses carefully. Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your responses to job specific self-assessment questions. 

Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for this position, possession of any specialized experience, and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement. The self-assessment questions relate to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies:

• Knowledge of and skill in applying, basic theories, concepts, principles, and methodology for practicing civil engineering sufficient to accomplish developmental assignments.
• Knowledge of engineering concepts, principles and practices to serve as the Project Manager or provide project management support for assigned projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing including on technical topics.

Your responses to the self-assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating. You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions.  Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume and optional cover letter. Your resume must support your answers to the self-assessment questions. Falsifying your background, education and/or experience is cause for non-selection or disqualification from further consideration.

Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the “Required Documents” section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application).