Healthcare Engineer (Energy Engineer)

Summary

The position serves as the resident expert within the Medical Center at the VA Central California Healthcare System (VACCHCS) in support of VISN - VACO and Executive Office of the President execution of Law - Executive Order or VA Policy in which Energy Management is the primary concern.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency: Healthcare Engineer candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f) Education: (1) Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or Architecture
• To be acceptable - the curriculum must be from a school with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology - Engineering Accreditation Commission (excludes engineering technology) or National Council of Architectural Registration Boards curriculum
• Examples of acceptable engineering and architectural degrees include - but are not limited to: Electrical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Civil Engineering - Architecture and Architectural Engineering
• Titles may vary from educational institutions and change over time
• OR (2) Evidence of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination with a bachelor's degree
• Evidence can be in the form of an Engineering in Training certificate issued from any State - the District of Columbia - Guam or Puerto Rico - or test results from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) identifying a passing score
• OR (3) Evidence of current professional registration or licensure as a Professional Engineer or Architect
• Evidence of current professional registration or licensure can be from any State - the District of Columbia - Guam or Puerto Rico
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations -Healthcare Engineer - GS-13 Experience: Must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12)
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to meeting the experience requirements for this grade level - the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of current and evolving concepts and principles of general engineering to resolve novel or obscure problems
• extend and modify techniques
• develop new approaches that guide other engineers who solve a variety of technical problems
• and/or apply new - innovative or experimental advanced engineering theories - developments or practices.(b) Skill in construction - capital planning and multiple healthcare system portfolio management inclusive of budget development and tracking.(c) Skill to collaborate with persons having diverse viewpoints - goals or objectives to achieve a common understanding of the problem and a satisfactory solution by justifying - defending - negotiating or settling controversial and far-reaching matters through active participation in conferences - meetings or presentations.(d) Ability to interpret broad guidelines and exercise considerable judgment and ingenuity in interpreting and adapting existing guides - developing new and improved hypotheses - concepts or approaches to previously tested or reported and/or in developing new policies that advance the organization.(e) Ability to coordinate and interact with regional facilities - national and corresponding staff for the implementation and coordination of policies and program plans to apply prioritization methodologies that align facilities' capital asset requests and develop infrastructure options that result in the efficacious use of regional level capital strategic plans.(f) Ability to adapt and apply trends in healthcare delivery systems that impact long-term capital assets (such as aging equipment and physical plants) for regionally integrated healthcare systems.(g) Ability to consult and collaborate with all organizational levels in a national healthcare organization - outside organizations and businesses regarding both strategic and financial activities of a regional healthcare organization.(h) Ability to implement and/or sustain a capital asset and construction program that meets healthcare facility related standards - codes - policies and regulations inclusive of state and local codes
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• VA handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G72 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13
• Physical Requirements: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices - training rooms - and libraries
• The work area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• The incumbent must also work outdoors in all types of weather
• There may be occasional exposure to moderate risks or discomforts in storage areas or hazardous waste sites
• The work is primarily sedentary - although some physical effort may be required - e.g. - walking - standing - climbing ladders - stooping - kneeling - and carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases - or driving or traveling by motor vehicle.
  
  

Duties

• The incumbent functions as Energy Manager for VACCHCS - Station 570 - inclusive of Medical Center (VA) owned and leased space including Outpatient Clinics - CBOCs or administrative space operated by the Medical Center
• The Energy Manager will work in a collaborative effort with other Energy Managers within their VISN toward accomplishing VISN wide and VHA energy goals
• Major duties include but not limited to: - Monitor utility systems components looking for significant changes in consumption rates or quantities
• - Must have experience in Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) or have attended ESPC training conducted by the Department of Energy or the Association of Energy Engineers in support of the implementation of programs mandated by Federal Law and Executive Order
• - Evaluate data compiled from the computerized energy management system - looking for trends - such as under and over utilized equipment
• - Will conduct HVAC - lighting - building - steam generation system - domestic hot water - and other energy audits within the VISN using industry standard energy analysis tools to minimize energy consumption
• - Monitor control and alarm set points within the computerized energy management systems
• - Work with energy plant personnel to monitor/improve efficiency of boiler and chiller operations
• - Monitor natural gas prices to determine when utilizing alternate fuel such as fuel oil in facility boilers is of economic benefit to the facility
• - Determine local set back parameters for unoccupied spaces after hours
• - Evaluate existing energy savings systems - such as glycol loops - heat wheels and solar panels and recommending appropriate operational changes
• - Review and monitor contracts and contractor performance for water treatment such as softeners for boilers - chillers and food preparation or cleaning equipment for appropriateness and billing accuracy
• - Manage the building/energy management system(s) and utility metering initiatives (electrical - water - etc.) ensuring proper use - expansion - and administration
• Work Schedule: 8:00AM-4:30PM (Monday-Friday) Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 01313-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized