This position is located in GAO's Science, Technology Assessment, & Analytics (STAA), Technology Assessment group. STAA is devoted to enhancing & expanding its support to Congress in conducting technology assessments; oversight of federal science & technology programs; & development of innovative analytical techniques in carrying out audits & evaluations. The Technology Assessment group provides independent, nonpartisan analysis of complex science & technology issues to Congress. Visit: STAA

Duties

The STAA, Technology Assessment group is seeking experienced professionals to serve as a General Engineer (Systems) to perform the following: Support the execution of science and technology engagements including performance audits, technology assessments, and Comptroller General forums and roundtables; Provide technical advice and support on engagements related to engineering, with an emphasis on systems engineering in accordance with GAO standards; Contribute to the development of the engagement's approach, including participating in the preparation of the design matrix and project plan; conducting background research on engineering subject matter; preparing and organizing engagement-related documentation; data gathering and analysis from a variety of sources, including developing interview questions and taking thorough interview notes; and evaluating engagement-related documentation to make logical inferences and draw accurate conclusions; Conduct interviews to gather appropriate information, and communicate relevant information to agency officials, team members, internal stakeholders, and congressional staff, during formal and informal presentations and meetings; Conduct analysis of the engagement research data, responses received from interviewees, and other evidence that has been collected from various sources; Prepare written summaries of interviews and analyses, and produce reports and other written products that effectively communicate information and findings; Collaborate with others to address issues or solve problems and follow up with others to ensure needs are met; and solicit, listen to, and consider diverse perspectives, approaches, or viewpoints, and incorporate others' perspectives into decision-making; Support the data analysis and evaluation phase of the engagement related to engineering topics. This includes data analysis and message development by synthesizing technical information and drawing preliminary conclusions, and periodically presenting findings to engagement team members, management, and stakeholders; Perform indexing and referencing of products and assist with the coordination of agency comments and the preparation of final products; and Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications

In addition to the education requirement, you must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower band or level equivalent to the GS-5 in the Federal Service, or comparable private/public sector experience which has equipped you with the skills and knowledge required to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: - knowledge of and experience applying systems engineering concepts and methodologies; - ability to convey engineering concepts, methodologies, and results in plain language both orally and in written form to a range of audiences; and - ability to analyze engineering related qualitative and quantitative data collected from various sources to draw conclusions. The ideal candidate will be able to review advances in technology and federal technology programs in a range of engineering areas; particularly systems engineering; explain the technologies and programs in writing and orally for a variety of audiences, including non-experts; and consider the policy implications. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You must meet all requirements before the closing date of the announcement.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. To qualify, you must meet the requirements described below. Documentation to verify your education MUST be submitted with your application in order to be considered.

General Engineering Series, 0800 (includes 801)

A. Degree: Successful completion of a professional engineering degree. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure - Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration For more information about EI and EIT registration requirements, please visit the National Society of Professional Engineers website at: http://www.nspe.org
2. Written Test - Evidence of having 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 The FE examination is not administered by the U. S. Office of Personnel Management. For more information, please visit: http://www.nspe.org/Licensure/HowtoGetLicensed/index.html.
3. Specified academic course - Successful completion of 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 under paragraph A (above). The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A (above)
4. Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in am appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at the least 1 year of a professional engineering acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

Contacts

• Address Government Accountability Office Human Capital Office 441 G Street NW Washington, DC 20548 US
• Name: Ebonye Watson
• Email: [email protected]