Engineering Technician

Duties

• Reviews plans, specifications, and estimates for proposed projects and provides practical evaluation and advice on specific site condition and operational considerations, safety factors, applicable Reclamation standards, and other considerations based on previous experience such as realistic time frames, avoiding scheduling conflicts, effective testing methods and use of equipment, effective contract options, etc.
• May serve on technical proposal and evaluation committees and attends pre-bid and pre-construction conferences.
• Inspects and/or coordinates the inspection of contractor performed work.
• Consults with contractor(s) representatives on a regular basis regarding planned work activities and methods of doing work to ensure that work is performed within applicable Reclamation, safety, and industry standards and in accordance with contract plans and specifications and that overall facility operation and reliability is not adversely impacted by proposed contract activities.
• Interprets and reads testing results, blue prints, plans, specifications, etc. in order to ensure contractor work meets requirements and standards.
• Identifies and addresses issues of contractor non-conformance.
• Collaborates and coordinates contract modifications due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Prepares a variety of reports covering inspection results of contract work.
• Provides data required for use in preparing quantity estimates for contract modifications and/or payment.
• Communicates any oversights in design or scheduling that could result in a formal claim being submitted by the contractor(s).
• Compiles, reviews, and forwards, as necessary, as-built drawings and Review Submittals for final review and approval.
• Consults with field division and engineering staff on operation, maintenance, and replacement projects; coordination and scheduling constraints; progress of work; contractor; and compliance with the specifications.
• Makes recommendations or decisions as appropriate that will improve methods and procedures for future projects and which may occasionally require formal contract modifications on current projects.
• May serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
• Consults with field division and engineering staff to ensure project documentation is received and properly archived, including drawings, manuals, test reports, and other technical and contractual information.
• Develops punch list of deficiencies and documents mitigation of listed items prior to contract close-out. Ensures contractually required spare parts are received and inventoried.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The work is performed in an office environment and is sedentary approximately 50 percent of the time. The other 50 percent of the time is spent in an industrial environment with risks associated with hydroelectric power generation and dam operations. Work is also performed outdoors with varying weather and terrain. The work involves standing; walking over rough surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities for long periods of time; and driving to various work sites. The incumbent will be required to observe safety precautions and wear appropriate safety equipment and items.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Specialized experience must demonstrate the applicant has been equipped with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is directly related to the work to be performed.

GS-9: You must possess two full years of graduate education or a master's degree that is directly related to the work of the position -OR- 1 year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity at the GS-8 level in the Federal service. Specialized Experience for the GS-9: Experience in quality assurance of commercial or industrial construction. This quality assurance work involves ensuring materials, equipment, construction methods and testing comply with specifications and designs.

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.

If you do not meet the qualification requirements listed above, you will be determined not qualified for this position.

Education

This vacancy announcement allows substituting education for experience if the education is directly related to the work of this position. You must submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable) to support your education if you are substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, applicants must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs.