This position serves as the Deputy (Assistant Chief), Engineering Service as the full alter ego of the Chief with responsibility for the professional Engineering programs such as Maintenance and Repair, Utility Plant Operations, Energy Management and Conservation Program, Vehicle Fleet, Grounds, Capital Planning, and Construction Project Management section at a multi-faceted and affiliated VA Medical Center, including outlying Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

Duties

The Assistant Chief of the Facilities Management Service provides professional, consultative advice and guidance and planning to management on the engineering problems and responsibilities involved in the maintenance and improvement of buildings, utilities and equipment. Duties include but are not limited to: Engineering Program Management and Administration The Assistant Chief Engineer is responsible for the administration, management and direction of the Engineering program including utility plant operations, maintenance, facilities, repair and preventive maintenance, grounds maintenance, in-house renovations and construction. Assists the VP with management of a highly complex facilities management program consisting of facility planning, design, construction, NRM, minor and major construction projects, maintenance & repair, grounds, equipment, fleet, and utilities operation. Provides professional engineering support to upper management, clinical and administrative services. This includes committee membership, feasibility studies, technical evaluation of new technology and determining engineering solutions. Oversees a diverse staff of direct reports and is responsible for maintaining all administrative activities within the confines of federal regulations, union/partnership agreements and healthcare system policies. Establishes departmental goals & objectives, develops policies, procedures, programs and standards. Responsible for administrative, program, regulatory enforcement and training priorities for the VAPHS Engineering program. Provides human resource management through performance appraisals, incentive awards, monitoring and support of education needs and training activities. Supports EEO and Affirmative action programs and service area safety programs. Budgeting/Financial Management Work The Assistant Chief Engineer identifies functional requirements for current and future programs inclusive of life-cycle costs. Provides advice to management and program personnel on budgetary and finance issues. As top advisor to management, provides budget management for major, unstable programs. Exercises responsibility for budget formulation, presentation, and execution. Maintains awareness of and information about the overall status of financial resources for the office in order to react to changing situations with timely recommendations. Research and Analysis Work Researches and provides technical recommendations pertaining to a wide-range of national codes and standards including but not limited to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), OSHA, TJC, EPA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Researches and/or analyzes problems, issues, or program requirements related to all areas of the facility and all facets of Engineering Service. Provides expert analysis and advice on complex program issues. Devises new analytical techniques to evaluate findings. Effectively resolves issues and coordinates involvement with other sections. Professional Engineering/Architectural Analysis and Advice Provides technical advice and input on a wide range of engineering issues, including the Strategic Capital Investment Plan, Capital Asset Inventory, Capital Asset Resource Survey, Deferred Maintenance, management of an engineering department, and a myriad of engineering related topics. Develops and maintains performance monitoring, tracking and reporting systems. Reviews or directs the review of plans, specifications, and analyses of design as submitted by subordinate engineers and engineering technicians. Provides professional advice to improve such plans, specifications, and analyses. Performs Construction Administration Work Responsible for the development and implementation of the Medical Center's capital improvement program. Works with medical activities to identify additional space needs and needed renovations. Coordinates and oversees scheduling and layout of operations, inspection and surveillance of materials, methods, and equipment used in construction and renovation managed by subordinate engineers and engineering technicians. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am to 3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized for a Highly Qualified candidate. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: Be a citizen of the United States. 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 Exam 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. English Language Proficiency Healthcare Engineer candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Supervisory Healthcare Engineer (Deputy), GS-13 Grade requirement GS-13: To qualify for this position you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12. Specialized experience can be described as, but not limited to, working independently, under general supervision with wide latitude to exercise independent judgment, demonstrating intimate grasp of high order healthcare engineering and capital subject matter, serving as institutional resources for healthcare delivery processes and systems, working extensively with clinical stakeholders, acquisition staff, contractors and executive leadership by leading healthcare engineering programs, technology assessments, integration planning and implementation of both current and emerging technologies, supporting the delivery of healthcare to Veterans by contributing to the education of clinical staff, planning and leadership to ensure safe and efficient healthcare delivery, planning, executing and documenting highly complex, multi-faceted healthcare facility construction projects and inspections while prioritizing resources against approved scopes of work, contract documents and budgets, identifying problems and developing innovative solutions within the context of applicable rules, regulations and procedures, as it relates to the healthcare environment. 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 the management of overall healthcare system resources, (i.e., finances, space, equipment, supplies, schedules and staffing). (b) Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, structural, civil and other engineering/architectural principles, practices and their applications as related to healthcare facilities. (c) Skill in using effective communication in managing interpersonal relationships with internal and external customers, stakeholders, executive leadership, labor representatives and managers. (d) Skill in balancing priorities, delegating tasks and meeting multiple competing deadlines. (e) Skill in interpreting broad or general national policies and guidelines and adapting/applying them to specific compliant programs at the local healthcare system. (f) Skill in recognizing and assessing evolving scenarios, utilizing initiative, self-direction and assigned resources to affect resolutions. (g) Ability to analyze complex organizational problems and develop and implement effective solutions that result in efficient operations. (h) 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. (i) 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. (j) Ability to interview candidates for positions, recommend appointments, advancements, or when appropriate, disciplinary actions; evaluate performance and identify continuing education and training needs. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G72 (Healthcare Engineer Qualification Standard) 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 Deputy Chief Engineer 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.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Pittsburgh VA Medical Center 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh, PA 15215 US
• Name: Chase Wilkins
• Phone: (412) 395-6108
• Email: [email protected]