Mechanical Engineer

Summary

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Division of Physical Security Management (DPSM), is seeking qualified candidates for a full-time Mechanical Engineer position. The selected candidate will support the NIH Physical Security Program by helping ensure that all NIH owned and leased facilities comply with federally mandated physical security requirements and are protected against current and emerging threats.

Duties

• If selected for this position as a Mechanical Engineer, GS-0830-11/12/13, your duties may include, but are not limited to the following: Serves as a senior mechanical engineer and lead engineer/designer overseeing, directing, or administering the design, construction, repair, or maintenance of facilities, structures, systems, and mechanical equipment for complex or high-value projects, and coordinates the development of physical security system and countermeasure designs for large-scale, multi-purpose, multiple-phase projects and provides project management, commissioning, construction administration, inspection, scheduling, design coordination, and post-award management throughout the project lifecycle. Develops organizational policies and procedures for mechanical engineering design requirements in accordance with applicable national, Federal, and agency codes and standards, and ensures mechanical systems and infrastructure meet facility security countermeasure and hardening requirements. Develops complex mechanical and utility system designs and implements new mechanical engineering approaches and technologies for NIH-specific systems and services, including physical security systems, cooling and ventilation systems, electrical systems supporting back-up generators, physical barriers, protective structures, and facility hardening, and provides mechanical engineering support for physical security measures and mechanisms, including intrusion detection and video surveillance systems, perimeter protection, weapon detection, blast mitigation, chemical, biological, and radiological hazard countermeasures, and forced-entry, improvised explosive device, and ballistic-resistant measures. Conducts or directs site surveys, investigations, assessments, and construction site visits to establish baseline data, evaluate site and structural conditions, support mechanical and security system designs, and determine compliance with project designs and applicable standards and codes, and conducts technical evaluations, investigations, quality reviews, risk analyses, and root cause analyses to identify and resolve complex problems involving mechanical systems, physical security systems, equipment, design, construction, operations, and maintenance, and recommends system modifications or solutions based on test and evaluation results. Reviews engineering and design packages, plans, and specifications for accuracy, technical competency, feasibility, compliance with project requirements, and adherence to applicable codes and standards, and recommends modifications, improvements, or approval as appropriate. Evaluates the condition and effectiveness of existing physical security systems, equipment, and supporting infrastructure; develops lifecycle plans; estimates system lifespan and upgrade or replacement costs; and recommends mitigating or temporary measures when systems are out of service. Determines execution plans and appropriate contract vehicles for assigned projects; prepares scopes of work and cost estimates; reviews bids, proposals, specifications, designs, change orders, and contractor submittals; monitors contractor performance; participates in contract negotiations and technical discussions; and serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative for physical security aspects of construction and installation.

Qualifications

In order to meet the Basic Qualifications for a Mechanical Engineer, GS-0830 position, you must: A. Have a bachelor's degree in professional engineering from a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; OR B. Have a bachelor's degree in professional engineering that includes differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced that first-year physics and chemistry) in 5 of the following 7 areas of engineering science or physics: (1) statics, dynamics; (2) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (3) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (4) thermodynamics; (5) electrical fields and circuits; (6) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (7) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; OR C. Be registered as a professional engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico; OR D. Be registered as an Engineering Intern (EI) or an Engineer in Training (EIT); OR E. Have 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; OR F. Have successfully completed 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. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum as described above; OR G. Have successfully completed a curriculum that led to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology OR in an appropriate professional field, e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology AND I have at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Additionally: You qualify for a Mechanical Engineer at the GS-11 level, if you meet one of the following qualification requirements: A. Completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, if related; OR B. Demonstrated in your resume 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) Preparing layout and detail drawings using specific instructions, notes, or sketches provided by engineering staff; 2) Performing calculations such as heat load, system capacity, kinematics and kinetics; 3) Evaluating internal or contracted engineering and/or architectural work of minor complexity; 4) Analyzing and evaluating contractor's shop drawings for adherence to contract specifications; 5) Inspecting and testing new or existing systems to verify proper system operation.; OR C. Have a combination of post baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. You qualify for a Mechanical Engineer at the GS-12 level, if you meet the following qualification requirement: Demonstrated in your resume 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) Analyzing mechanical system needs, making calculations, and preparing designs of mechanical systems with regard to size, space, capacities, functionality and economy performing surveys and investigations to establish baseline data necessary to develop design requirements; 2) Reviewing plans and specifications for accuracy and technical competency; 3) Reviewing scheduling and layout of operations, and performing inspection and surveillance of materials, methods, and equipment used in system construction and maintenance; 4) Preparing detailed cost estimates for use in bid evaluations and change order requests; 5) Analyzing system test and inspection data to verify functionality, operability, and compliance with standards and specifications. You qualify for a Mechanical Engineer at the GS-13 level, if you meet the following qualification requirement: Demonstrated in your resume 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) Performing planning and design of mechanical engineering plans in new construction and renovation projects; 2) Evaluating mechanical engineering design objectives, performing complex technical calculations, and identifying the most economical and efficient solutions or processes for project design and performance; 3) Developing engineering specifications and standards for systems; 4) Providing oversight and/or project management for construction or maintenance projects; 5) Consulting with construction or maintenance personnel to resolve difficult and complex unforeseen problems and latent conditions developing during system construction or maintenance activities; 6) Preparing detailed cost estimates for use in bid evaluations and change order requests; 7) Developing system inspection and test plans; 8) Providing subject matter expert lead system guidance and recommendations to leadership regarding mechanical engineering related issues. You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay. Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer. Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13029734

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education. If you qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application packages. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete and submit all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents sections. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click Apply Online button. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. See the "Required Documents" section for any additional forms and/or supplemental materials required. Read all Eligibility questions and respond accordingly to any Eligibility you wish to claim. You will only be considered for those Eligibility questions (Veteran, Schedule A, etc.) you respond in the affirmative to, regardless of what documentation you submit. We cannot assume you intended to respond differently to a question based on other information in your application package. Complete the application questionnaire. Applicants are asked all questions regardless of their consideration preferences. We will only consider you for the grades, series, locations, specialties, and other considerations that you self-identify as being qualified for or interested in. Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13029734 After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about 2 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Verify all required documentation is included in your application package, review your responses to the application questionnaire for accuracy, and then submit your application. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. In addition to the required documents, we encourage you to submit a cover letter, copy of your transcripts, and any applicable certifications or licenses. Even though this information is not required at the time of application, we may request this information later. We cannot assume responsibility or grant extensions for personal issues (e.g., troubles navigating the application process, loss of internet, not understanding a question) when applying to our announcements. For technical difficulties, contact HR Systems Support between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM ET Monday through Friday at [email protected]. For reasonable accommodations not related to USA Hire, please contact NIH HR Service Desk Branch C at [email protected]. Requests for reasonable accommodations must be made before the announcement closing date. Visit our site for information on NIH's EEO program, Reasonable accommodation procedures, laws, policy statements, and the operation of the EEO complaint process.