ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN

Summary

The primary purpose of the position is to plan, design, analyze, and layout of new construction as well as the conversion, remodeling, or modernization of existing VA buildings and facilities. The Engineering technician is responsible to act as a technical resource for the staff and a project engineer for complex projects at the Veterans Affairs Sierra Nevada Health Care System (VASNHCS) in Reno, NV.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT until August 26, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.***

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Works with Chief Engineers and Engineering Staff for the efficient and effective implementation of construction projects;
• Performs project management duties to lead multidiscipline design team, or contracted design services in the preparation of complete design package;
• Prepares plans, specifications, and estimates for complex projects;
• Informs Chief Engineer of plans for continuous and ongoing major projects in concert with contractors and construction and facility management staff;
• Assists in providing oversight of the facility design, construction, repair, renovation and modernization of buildings and facilities;
• Performs a variety of construction management tasks during the construction phase of a project;
• Performs review, assessment, and guidance by analyzing design development documents, resolving more novel and complex design problems with original approaches and preparing appropriate documents for VA project development approvals;
• Prepares documentation for approval of outside agencies such as State Office of Historic Preservation (SHPO), local fire departments, Department of Defense (DoD) and environmental agencies;
• Prepares estimates for projects ranging from minor maintenance to large non-recurring management for advanced budget planning;
• Prepares Scope of Work (SOW) for Engineer service contracts or services provided by other government agencies;
• Uses extensive experience to formulate and recommend strategies on how to deal with workload, setting goals and priorities;
• Serves as expert technical advisor to peers and senior managers;
• Serves as the technical expert on highly technical equipment, network systems and computer software programs;
• Possesses a strong proficiency using the following software applications to include, but not limited to, Access, Excel, Power Point, MS Project, and Word, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and AutoCAD; And,
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Telework: Ad-hoc, as determined by the agency policy.

Position Description/PD#: ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN/PD02983A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/26/2026.

Individual Occupational Requirements: The 0802 series requires specific education or experience to be met in order to be appointed into a position of this series. You must meet one of the pre-determined Education or Experience Individual Occupational Requirements listed below as set by Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Specialized Experience: Qualifying specialized experience include technical work in; drafting, surveying construction estimating, physical science, mathematics, aerospace, architecture, chemicals, electrical or mechanical systems, mining, petroleum, or nuclear systems.

Experience in a trade or craft may be credited as specialized experience when the work provided intensive knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents. Examples are trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities such as:

• Planner and estimator who analyzed designs for production purposes.
• Instrument maker or model maker who performed design or development work on devices fabricated.

OR;

Certification:

Engineering technicians may be certified by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies, an organization sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Certification by the Institute will be helpful as a measure of the technician's quality of experience.

*In addition to meeting the IOR listed above, an applicant must also meet the minimum qualifications listed below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade 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: Advanced knowledge of engineering concepts, principles, and practices applicable to a range of construction and extensive in-depth knowledge of a variety of construction techniques to direct the construction inspection and material testing work. Comprehensive practical knowledge of project management concepts, principles, practices, and theories sufficient to permit the incumbent to serve as a project manager for multiple complex construction projects of new construction and repair and alteration projects; Ability to comprehend technical aspects of the project and advise the Contractor and fellow engineers when question arise or clarification is needed on the best path forward; Comprehensive practical knowledge of the theories, principles, practices, and techniques of the Joint Commission Environment of Care standards, NFPA requirements, OSHA, and other technical standards is required.; Knowledge of a wide range of design and construction concepts, principles, and methods applicable to a variety of complex problems, construction projects, or feasibility studies that may include diverse general engineering or other conditions.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Building and Construction
• Design
• Oral Communication
• Project Management
• Technical Competence

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; religions; 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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work requires frequent walking, bending, lifting, and carrying light equipment. Occasional climbing and crawling are required.

Work Environment: A major portion of the work is performed in an office setting; however, work will also be performed at construction sites. Some of the work may be performed on scaffolds, rooftops, platforms, and other exterior spaces. Frequent visits around medical areas are necessary where there is possible exposure to contagious diseases, staph infections, and radiation hazards.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at ;br>
Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: ;br>
Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Expand Hide additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.