Engineering Technician

About the role

This position involves preparing contract drawings and specifications for competitively bid construction and maintenance repair work at this VA Medical Center. Duties also include architectural design, mechanical and electrical design, fire sprinkler design, lighting design, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, ventilation design and asbestos abatement design.

Responsibilities

• Prepares detailed cost estimates for competitively bid construction projects and maintenance and repair work.
• Serves as Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) on projects and inspects competitively bid construction and maintenance and repair projects to ensure compliance with drawings and specifications.
• Coordinates all projects with using service, from conception to completion. Works with service chiefs to prepare project applications, conceptual plans, scope of work and construction documents, etc.
• Performs assessments in areas of maintenance and repair or remodeling to help determine the presence of asbestos.
• Reviews change order requests from contractors for accuracy and cost control and negotiates, when necessary.
• Assists consulting architects and engineers with design of competitively bid construction and maintenance and repair work. Provides existing as built drawings, field measurements, VA construction standards and VA construction specifications. Reviews preliminary design drawings and specifications for errors and omissions and technical soundness.
• Performs field measurements and gathers engineering data necessary for preparing construction drawings and specifications.
• Reviews shop drawings and submittals from contractors during construction of new structures or renovation of existing structures for compliance with specifications.
• Prepares construction progress reports and payment requests for contract construction projects.
• Maintains record drawings of all Station structures and grounds utilizing AutoCad programs. Makes necessary changes to keep drawings current as remodeling occurs.
• Assists in orientation of any temporary technician or draftsman when assigned to the project section.

Requirements

Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: knowledge of personal computers and AutoCad program. Must be able to prepare, read and interpret engineering and structural drawings and specification. Knowledge of all construction trades, applicable to the domiciliary (i.e. masonry, concrete, carpenter, roofing, insulating, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, sheet metal, floor covering and fire sprinkler systems). Must have ability to communicate with contractors, contracting officers and VA management officials. Must be capable of preparing reports, and have knowledge of safety procedures and fire protection.