This position is a Mechanical Engineer in the Office of Research Services (ORS), Division of Occupation Health and Safety (DOHS), at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This position performs design work for NIH facilities, structures, equipment, and/or systems, and coordinates the development of designs for large multi-purpose, multiple-phase projects.

Duties

Review design and construction plans and specification for projects that have been prepared by private architect/engineer firms from a safety and containment perspective. Coordinate with research staff, facility engineers and technicians, and designers to incorporate required laboratory safety features into existing and new facilities and evaluate and resolve variances and other conflicting issues for regulatory compliance. Provide regulatory HVAC verification testing support for BSL-3/ABSL-3 and BSL-4/ABSL-4 laboratory facilities. Perform or direct surveys and investigations to establish baseline data as part of the commissioning process of new construction or renovation projects. Support development and management of training program on elements of biocontainment and safety engineering principles. Review and evaluate safety regulations, policies, and standard operating procedures as they apply to the design and operation of buildings. Produce testing methods for validation of regulatory requirements during operational conditions.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of the pre-appointment process (i.e., background investigation, verification of qualifications and job requirements, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, etc.)
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
• Experience with Safety oversight for BSL3 and BSL4 facilities preferred (access needed) as well to associated animal facilities and/or labs.
• Position requires Education.
• Requires long periods of standing and bending when completing facility/lab surveys and risk assessments.
• Able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects, and able to sit for hours at a time.
• Vaccinations and other medical surveillance will be recommended/required based on agent.
• The incumbent is required to have close visual acuity to perform and analyze date and figures; transcribing field notes; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading and using measurement devices.
• Testing and validation of laboratories may require work in proximity to select agents.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Qualifications

In order to meet the Basic Qualifications for a Mechanical Engineer, GS-0830 position, you must: A. Have a bachelor's degree in professional engineering from a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; OR B. Have a bachelor's degree in professional engineering that includes differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced that first-year physics and chemistry) in 5 of the following 7 areas of engineering science or physics: (1) statics, dynamics; (2) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (3) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (4) thermodynamics; (5) electrical fields and circuits; (6) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (7) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; OR C. Be registered as a professional engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico; OR D. Be registered as an Engineering Intern (EI) or an Engineer in Training (EIT); OR E. Have successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico; OR F. Have successfully completed at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum as described above; OR G. Have successfully completed a curriculum that led to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology OR in an appropriate professional field, e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology AND have at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. In addition to the above, in order to qualify for a Mechanical Engineer position at the GS-0830-13 level, you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: performing planning and design of mechanical engineering plans in new construction and renovation projects; evaluating mechanical engineering design objectives, performing complex technical calculations, and identifying the most economical and efficient procedures for project design and performance; providing oversight and/or project management for mechanical engineering construction or maintenance projects; consulting with contractor personnel to resolve difficult and complex unforeseen problems and latent conditions developing during construction; and preparing detailed cost estimates for use in bid evaluations and change order requests. You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Ensure you support your self-ratings with the information you provide in your application. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer. Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12449598

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Contacts

• Address National Institutes of Health 6701 Rockledge Drive Bethesda, MD 20892 US
• Name: Chris Boarman
• Phone: 301-451-7687
• Email: [email protected]