Construction Surveillance Engineer Technician

About the role

The Construction Surveillance Engineer Technician (CSET) provides on-site construction oversight, quality assurance, and technical support for projects managed by the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC). The CSET ensures that all construction activities comply with contract specifications, drawings, applicable codes, and safety standards. This role serves as the government’s on-site technical representative, monitoring contractor performance, verifying work progress, and documenting daily construction activities. The CSET reviews design plans, submittals, and construction schedules; inspects workmanship and materials; and assists in identifying and resolving technical issues in coordination with NAVFAC engineers and project managers. The position requires sound judgment, knowledge of construction practices, and familiarity with Department of Defense (DoD) and NAVFAC policies and procedures.

Essential Functions

• Coordinate requests from the construction contractor for outage requests, excavation permits, burn permits, haul routes and other similar items, liaising with the FEAD/ROICC and appropriate base personnel (Security, Public Works, Fire Department, etc.). Track status of requests and investigate any pending more than five calendar days, reporting causes for delays to the FEAD/ROICC.
• Coordinate field activities with the construction contractor, Navy client customers, activity managers, maintenance and utility servers, Federal Fire departments, and Security Police to ensure seamless coordination of construction activities.
• Attend safety meetings, Contractor Quality Control (CQC) meetings, partnering meetings, and other conferences and meetings as needed.
• Develop Quality Assurance Plans in collaboration with FEAD/ROICC and other personnel.
• Prepare Construction Representative’s Reports (CRRs).
• Monitor construction work for project CQC compliance with contract documents.
• Report instances of non-compliance with safety requirements.
• Monitor compliance with environmental protection requirements.
• Review Daily Contractor Quality Control (CQC) and Contractor Production Reports.
• Monitor the updating of Submittal Register and maintain working files.
• Perform technical review of submittals.
• Provide construction photographic services.
• Use NAVFAC’s Electronic Construction and Facility Support Contract Management System (eCMS) to manage electronic submittals and documents.

Competencies

• Knowledge of construction scheduling methods and familiarity with scheduling software, including Primavera Suretrak/P3/P6 and Microsoft Project.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook; Adobe Acrobat Professional; and RS Means/Cost Works.
• Average agility and dexterity; duties involve moderate walking over rough, uneven or slippery surfaces, recurring bending, crouching, stopping, stretching, climbing ladders, walking up and down several flights of stairs, recurring lifting of objects less than 50 lbs., and regular visits to construction sites.
• Ability to communicate effectively, concisely and authoritatively in English both orally and in writing; experience preparing correspondence, written reports, and briefing management personnel.
• Experience developing and maintaining complex, multi-year program construction management activities including submittal and Request for Information (RFI) processing.
• Experience and familiarity with Federal building design criteria and construction guide specifications.
• Knowledge of construction practices and techniques, including proper applications of construction materials and installation methods.
• Ability to accurately calculate construction costs for changes, price the value of needed work, and provide recommendations for equitable adjustments.
• Ability to monitor preparation of as-built activities to ensure documents are prepared on an ongoing basis; review contractor submissions of as-built drawings for completeness and accuracy and advise government personnel in writing as to acceptability.
• Ability to identify critical and long lead-time materials and recommend procurement strategies to prevent negative impact on quality, cost, and schedule.

Required Education And Experience

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience as a Quality Control Manager or Superintendent working for a General Contractor on NAVFAC or USACE projects, OR a minimum of ten (10) years of experience working as a Foreman in one or more of the following trades: carpentry, electrical, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, or concrete on commercial/industrial/military projects valued in excess of $5 million (residential experience does not qualify).
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience working as a Journeyman in one or more of the following trades: carpentry, electrical, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, or concrete.
• Specialized training for Construction Quality Verification or completed an equivalent course.
• Competent computer skills for network data entry; proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat Professional.
• Experience maintaining official construction site records.
• Experience conducting meetings to resolve problems on construction projects and briefing clients and management personnel.
• In-depth knowledge of construction practices and workmanship, including proper uses of construction materials and installation methods; experience interpreting construction drawings and specifications; ability to perform materials take-offs.
• Ability and experience inspecting materials, workmanship, and construction and installation of various systems within the inspector’s area of expertise.
• Knowledge of safety practices in the construction industry, including familiarity with USACE EM-385-1-1 and OSHA safety requirements; completed 30 Hour OSHA Construction Training within the past 2 years.
• Must hold a certificate in USACE Construction Quality Management (CQM) for Contractors Training (maintain valid 5-year certificate) or obtain certification within 60 days of onboarding.
• A valid driver’s license.

Work Environment

Position may be subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions, noise sufficient to cause the worker to shout. May involve proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electric current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or chemicals. May involve atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation. Requires close visual acuity for activities such as viewing a computer terminal and extensive reading.

Physical Qualifications

• Mobility: must be able to stoop, kneel, reach, walk, lift, grasp, feel, talk, hear, and perform repetitive motions.
• Hearing: must be able to hear audible safety alarms.
• Visual Acuity: must be adequate to perform tasks safely and to view a computer terminal and perform extensive reading.
• Lifting: must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Benefits

• Excellent salary and benefits package including paid time off, paid holidays, comprehensive health plan (medical, dental, vision, life), short-term disability insurance, and a 401(k) plan with employer match.