Supervisory Healthcare Engineer

Summary

This position serves as the Deputy Supervisory Healthcare Engineer (Assistant Chief) with responsibility for the professional Engineering programs affiliated with the VA Medical Center - including outlying Community Based Outpatient Clinics. In the absence of the Chief Engineer - the Assistant Chief has the full authority to act on behalf of the Chief Engineer.

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 - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d) Education (must meet one of the following): 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 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 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
• NOTE: Direct health care experience is not required to qualify for a GS-801 Healthcare Engineer
• Candidates with Engineering experience in a hospital or healthcare system should be able to address the knowledge skills and abilities as it applies to the position
• Engineers that may not have worked in a hospital or healthcare system should ensure it is clear in their application how their non-healthcare related knowledge - skill or ability can be applied to the assignment and to the healthcare engineering occupation
• Grandfather Provision: A Healthcare Engineer employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (3/18/2022) who did not meet all the basic requirements in this standard may not be promoted beyond the full performance level (GS-0801-12) or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions until meeting the full qualification requirements
• 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-13 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12)
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of the management of overall healthcare system resources - (i.e. - finances - space - equipment - supplies - schedules and staffing)
• Knowledge of mechanical - electrical - structural - civil and other engineering/architectural principles - practices and their applications as related to healthcare facilities
• Skill in using effective communication in managing interpersonal relationships with internal and external customers - stakeholders - executive leadership - labor representatives and managers
• Skill in balancing priorities - delegating tasks and meeting multiple competing deadlines
• Skill in interpreting broad or general national policies and guidelines and adapting/applying them to specific compliant programs at the local healthcare system
• Skill in recognizing and assessing evolving scenarios - utilizing initiative - self-direction and assigned resources to affect resolutions
• Ability to analyze complex organizational problems and develop and implement effective solutions that result in efficient operations
• Ability to anticipate - develop and implement strategies in meeting the healthcare system's short term and long-term strategic goals in a highly fluid environment
• Ability to ensure compliance with healthcare industry standards and regulatory agency and organization (including but not limited to TJC - OSHA - NFPA - etc.) - regulations - requirements - guides - policies - procedures - directives and general medical program requirements as they relate to healthcare engineering
• Ability to interview candidates for positions - recommend appointments - advancements - or when appropriate - disciplinary actions
• evaluate performance and identify continuing education and training needs
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13
• The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-13 level
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
  
  

Duties

• The Assistant Chief Engineer is responsible for strengthening and enhancing healthcare facility engineering and operations
• Responsible for the planning - organizing - directing - evaluating - and management process for the Engineering Service that includes setting qualitative and quantitative standards
• Develops and provides the Medical Center executive leadership and the clinical staff information on the methods - techniques - and procedures necessary to integrate these programs into the mission of the Medical Center
• Oversees human resources management matters for the services - including development and implementation of succession and workforce plans
• Supports the VISN Capital and Energy Engineers in the administration of the programs
• In this capacity the individual meets regularly with other Engineers from the VISN and VA Leadership from the Office of Capital Asset Management
• Identifies and manages risks associated with highly sophisticated medical equipment and the general physical environment
• Responsible for providing professional engineering direction to ensure compliance with legislative and accrediting requirements at the Medical Center
• These requirements include Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - etc.) and other applicable requirements
• Maintains effective relations with local Government agencies - Labor Unions - Professional Engineering Societies - Affiliated Universities - Research Program Leaders and other interested organizations as required
• Provides for the budgeting and financial management for Engineering Service
• This includes budget formulation - justification - and execution
• financial management
• and financial reporting
• Research and/or analyzes problems - issues - or program requirements related to all areas of the facility and all facets of Engineering Service
• This position works with medical activities to identify additional space needs and needed renovations
• This position establishes leases as needed
• Identified needs are individually transformed to engineering requirements - estimated - accomplished locally - or included as part of a comprehensive plan for agency funding
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
• Telework: Not Authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00894F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.