Overview

The Department of State, Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, Directorate of Program Development, Coordination, and Support (DOS/OBO/PDCS) is responsible for the design, coordination, and management of OBO’s construction and renovation programs. The Office of Design and Engineering (PDCS/DE) provides expertise in architecture; landscape architecture; space programming; space planning; interior design; graphic design; sustainability; civil structure, seismic, blast, geotechnical, electrical, and mechanical engineering; telecommunications; and security. DOS/OBO/PDCS is looking for Structural Engineer for the team.

Responsibilities

• The Senior Structural Engineer shall assist the Project Manager to ensure that assigned projects are effectively coordinated and scheduled during the planning, design, and construction phases. In furtherance of these responsibilities, the contractor performs tasks and assignments that include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
• Works closely with assigned design manager in OBO on the design of a specific engineering construction project, to ensure timely and correct technical information is available to OBO’s upper management.
• Reviews and provides guidance on drawings, calculations, and specifications related to structural/seismic work, including design proposals suggested by tenant agencies as well as other federal agencies whose requirements impact the structural loading of buildings and DOS facilities; and correlates these proposals with architects and engineer.
• Serves as the subject matter expert on the structural/seismic engineering design of specific projects; advises and assists during the design phase of projects; consults with architects, contract engineers, and others during project design, advising them on established DOS design criteria and specific design problems caused by the world-wide variety of climatic conditions, earthquake risks, local skill levels in various locations, availability of local utilities, and other major problems which arise from and directly impact the accomplishment of OBO design and construction activities;
• Advises on the initiation and review of topographic surveys and soil boring investigations at new building sites, as well as for existing site situations; the initiation and direction of capital programs for site development; the review of structural/seismic engineering aspects of minor improvement proposals and maintenance and repair proposals; the development, design, and review of capital and non-capital projects related to renovation of buildings; and the review and consultation regarding structural/seismic engineering aspects of buildings to be purchased or leased by OBO to ensure compliance with OBO criteria;
• Serves as a consultant to post management regarding buildings and sites that have been damaged by earthquake, fires, explosions, storms, flooding, erosion or settlement problems, and other phenomena.
• Analyzes and makes recommendations to DE Code Officials for the design and construction of government facilities and assists in adjudicating discrepancies in the interpretation of the Code.
• Ensures the applicability of current engineering criteria (OBO guidelines for agency-wide use) relating to the structural/ seismic design of buildings; and assists the Office of Facility Management in establishing criteria and standards governing structural/seismic engineering aspects of facility operations, maintenance, and repair.
• Coordination of workflow items, updating delegated tasks to ensure progress to deadlines.
• Keeping projects on schedule, updating schedules.
• Assists the Project Manager to assure that Project Performance Reviews (PPR) reflect accurate and complete scope, schedule milestones, and budget information.
• Prepare periodic and specified written reports and provide data input in specified formats for such reports.
• Assist the Project Manager to ensure project schedules are kept current and reflect accurate dates and project milestones; and
• Keep the COR and/or Manager informed of all major issues and concerns.
• Conduct and/or coordinate in-house studies, designs, and evaluations in areas of civil, geotechnical, and structural engineering; to include data collection and maintenance.
• Remains abreast of new structural/seismic engineering technology resulting from state-of-the-art conferences and symposia and ensures that new technology is incorporated into the application and standards used by OBO

Qualifications

• Senior Structural Engineer– minimum of eleven (11) years of related experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field
• Mastery of the theories, principles, practices, and methodologies of civil (site) engineering; including applicable engineering codes, consumer statutes, and regulations sufficient to apply new developments and theories to critical and novel problems not readily resolved through accepted conventional methods. To extend and modify approaches, precedents, and methods. To solve a variety of professional engineering problems with unprecedented aspects. To make decisions that significantly affect the content, interpretation, or development of major policies or programs concerning critical and highly varied design and construction projects. And to render expert level advice and assistance to OBO and Department management officials, fellow professionals within and outside of government, and contract personnel at all organizational levels.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of related engineering fields, such as mechanical and electrical engineering, sufficient to effectively consult, interface, and partner with fellow professionals engaged in related aspects of assigned projects.
• Ability to interpret plans and specifications for a variety of large and complex building projects, and to investigate extensive changes in design specifications, construction and materials proposed by contractors or others to accommodate conditions at construction sites and to expedite construction.
• Ability to understand engineering principles and practices in foreign countries, to ensure that OBO projects are designed and built to OBO standards without conflict with the host country, including knowledge of local building specifications and building codes.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, on highly complex, controversial, and time-sensitive matters, to highly diverse audiences at all levels of expertise and authority, both within and outside of government.
• Experience and capabilities in the use of AutoCAD 2014, Revit 2014, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), and Microsoft Project.
• Must be a US Citizen
• Ability to obtain a Secret Security Clearance