Summary
The position serves as a Project Engineer at Erie VA Medical Center and performs project planning, produces designs, manages designs, manages construction, provides construction administration for Minor Construction Projects, Non-Recurring Maintenance (NRM) Projects, Station Level Projects, and Leases, including all areas and aspects (architectural, electrical, life safety, mechanical, civil, structural, etc.) at an Erie VA medical center and associated Community Based Outpatient Clinic.
Duties
Major Duties: Plan, design, and oversee major healthcare system projects across the full lifecycle-strategic planning, concept development, design, construction, commissioning, and post-occupancy-ensuring alignment with patient care needs and facility priorities. Administer A/E and construction contracts as the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), monitoring performance, processing submittals/RFIs, verifying deliverables, managing change orders, and enforcing compliance with all contractual terms. Ensure compliance with VA policies and standards (e.g., VA Design Guides, VA Design Manuals, VA Master Specifications) and applicable healthcare codes and regulations (e.g., OSHA, NFPA, ANSI), resolving conflicts and documenting variances. Maintain continuity of clinical operations during construction by developing and implementing phasing plans, utility shutdown procedures, interim life safety measures (ILSM), and contingency strategies. Lead construction management and post-project activities, including site coordination, quality assurance, inspections, commissioning, functional testing, and closeout to deliver safe, fully operational systems. Maintain and apply a technical reference library of codes, standards, and guidance (OSHA, NFPA, ANSI, ASHRAE, FGI, Joint Commission, FDA, CAP) to healthcare engineering design and construction decisions. Develop and deliver continuing education for clinical and maintenance staff on the safe and effective use of healthcare infrastructure (e.g., medical gases, emergency power, ventilation/pressurization, infection control). Support Environment of Care (EOC) and Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) programs, integrating construction safety and infection control requirements into project planning and execution. Prepare and review technical documentation, including scopes of work, specifications, cost estimates, schedules, risk registers, commissioning plans, as-builts, O&M manuals, warranties, and turnover packages. Coordinate multidisciplinary stakeholders (clinical services, safety/infection prevention, facilities, IT/biomed, logistics, leadership, A/E and contractors) to align technical solutions with operational and regulatory needs. Monitor project scope, schedule, budget, and risk, track performance metrics, and implement corrective actions to meet government requirements for VA-owned and leased facilities. Maintain COR certification and provide technical guidance and training to service staff on engineering, contract administration, and infrastructure-related operations of the medical facility. Conduct field investigations and condition assessments of building systems (medical gases, emergency power, HVAC/ventilation, fire protection, water/steam, life safety) to inform design, compliance, and project decisions. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 3:00 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Yes. Determined by Agency Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork 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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.