Engineering Technician (Drafting)

Summary

You will serve as an Engineering Technician for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, supporting professional engineering and architecture staff across a variety of technical disciplines including civil, mechanical, electrical, materials, drafting, and architecture. Located in Redding, CA. This position is also open to status candidates under announcement 13048462. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Duties

• In this role, you will collect, analyze, and validate technical data; prepare and review drawings, plans, specifications, and reports; and apply established engineering methods to support design, construction, testing, and project evaluation activities. You will assist with records and database management, and may participate in project coordination, and contract administration consistent with grade-level complexity. This position requires effective problem-solving, clear technical communication, collaborative work with engineers, technicians, and stakeholders, and the ability to adapt procedures based on field conditions and project needs. The primary duties of this position are: Prepares original drawings and preliminary layouts, as well as updates and revisions to drawings, including final as-built drawings. Reviews drawings, the basis for the design, and the design analysis for conformance with established engineering standards and criteria and the project requirements. Performs difficult but precedented technical engineering evaluation and analysis assignments or analyzes segments of broader issues or problems. Analyzes the issues and project objectives and makes adjustments to standard procedures or operations based on situations and conditions encountered in the field or during the study. Installs, tests, calibrates, troubleshoots, operates, and maintains instrumentation and equipment associated with engineering projects and activities, including scientific data collection. Interprets and analyzes data and test results for specific performance characteristics, failures in materials, and for equipment or instrumentation deficiencies; presents conclusions and recommendations. Conducts difficult but precedented or recurring inspections and assessments, including condition assessments of civil works facilities, buildings, hydraulic systems, mechanical and electrical systems, transportation infrastructure, and construction site conditions. Drafts technical documentation for assigned technical engineering work assignments and reviews documentation of lower graded technicians. Prepares reports to present findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on evaluation, analysis, inspection, and/or assessments. Uses databases to maintain engineering data and records. Participates in the development, maintenance, and/or operation of engineering data collection and storage systems. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary, although there is some walking in offices, production areas, utility plants, maintenance, and work areas. Work may involve carrying lightweight items, such as briefcases, notebooks, test equipment, and work papers or may involve operating a motor vehicle. The work does not require any special physical effort or ability. The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven, rocky, or slippery surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, climbing, or similar activities; recurring lifting of light to moderately heavy items weighing less than 50 pounds (i.e., 23 kilograms), such as testing or measuring equipment; and/or regular visits to construction, industrial, marine, or other outdoor sites. The work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion, such as: frequent climbing of tall ladders, staging, or scaffolding in dry-dock and vessel areas; working in areas where footing can be treacherous (e.g., on rocky banks of bodies of fast-water, slippery docks, or steep hillsides); lifting heavy objects weighing 50 pounds (i.e., 23 kilograms) or more; and frequent crouching or crawling in restricted areas. Work Environment: The work area is usually an office setting adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions. Work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks and discomforts, such as the following: dust, strong odors, or fumes from fuels, chemicals, or engine exhaust; high levels of noise and vibration, dust, grease, electrical hazards, uncovered moving parts of machinery, moving machinery; or outdoor conditions involving moderate exposure to rain, cold/hot weather, icy streams, and rivers. The work environment requires the employee to stay alert continually and to take special safety precautions including wearing special protective items of clothing. The work environment involves high risks of exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress requiring a range of safety and other precautions where conditions cannot be controlled (e.g., working at great heights under extreme outdoor weather conditions).

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/24/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. TO QUALIFY AT THE GS-06: have at least one (1) year of specialized experience to at least the GS-05 level in Federal service. Examples of specialized experience could include working under guidance of engineers to modify and update design drawings utilizing Computer Automated Drafting (CAD) software in accordance with industry practices or experience applying practical engineering knowledge, concepts and techniques to assist with standard inspections and assessments; operating measuring devices and preparing field reports using computer software. These examples are not all inclusive. OR EDUCATION: Successful completion of a half year or 9 semester hours of graduate-level education in the fields of engineering, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: combination of experience and education as described above that together the total percentage equals at least 100. TO QUALIFY AT THE GS-07: have at least one (1) year of specialized experience to at least the GS-06 level in Federal service. Examples of specialized experience could include working under guidance of engineers to create, modify and update design drawings or 3D models utilizing Computer Automated Drafting (CAD) software in accordance with industry practices or experience applying practical engineering knowledge, concepts and techniques to conduct standard inspections and assessments; operating measuring devices, and preparing field reports using computer software. These examples are not all inclusive. OR EDUCATION: Successful completion of one year or 18 semester hours of graduate-level education in the fields of engineering, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: combination of experience and education as described above that together the total percentage equals at least 100. TO QUALIFY AT THE GS-08: have at least one (1) year of specialized experience to at least the GS-07 level in Federal service. Examples of specialized experience could include working with engineers to create original or modify and update design drawings or 3D models utilizing Computer Automated Drafting (CAD) software in accordance with industry practices or experience applying practical engineering knowledge, concepts and techniques to conduct structural safety inspections and monitoring; operating measuring devices, making on-site determinations and recommendations for improvements, and preparing field reports using computer software. Knowledge of mathematical processes and civil, electrical and mechanical engineering fundamentals. These examples are not all inclusive. OR EDUCATION: Successful completion of two (2) full years (36 semester hours) of graduate-level education or master's degree of coursework in the fields of engineering, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: combination of experience and education as described above that together the total percentage equals at least 100. TO QUALIFY AT THE GS-09: have at least one (1) year of specialized experience to at least the GS-08 level in Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience could include: working with engineers to independently to create original or modify and update existing design drawings or 3D models utilizing Computer Automated Drafting (CAD) software in accordance with industry practices or experience applying practical engineering knowledge, concepts and techniques to conduct difficult but precedented structural safety inspections and assessments; operating measuring devices, making on-site determinations and recommendations for improvements and preparing field reports using computer software. Reviews CAD drawings prepared by other technicians. Knowledge of mathematical processes and civil, electrical and mechanical engineering fundamentals. These examples are not all inclusive. OR EDUCATION: Successful completion of two (2) full years (36 semester hours) of graduate-level education or master's degree of coursework in the fields of engineering, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: combination of experience and education as described above that together the total percentage equals at least 100. Volunteer Experience: 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.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands. You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with purchase authority. You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will 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. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you 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. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 09/24/2026--unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13048461 Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. 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 at least 3 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. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status, visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.