U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · 15 hours ago
Engineering Technician
El Paso, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
$62K/yr - $80K/yr
1+ years expThe U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking an Engineering Technician for the Facility Support Services Engineering department in El Paso. The role involves providing engineering support, preparing technical documents, and ensuring compliance with safety standards for various construction projects.
National DefenseGovernmentPublic SafetyHealthcareMedicalNational Security
Responsibilities
Assists and provides analysis - designs - modifications - plans - installations - administers - and the construction of a multitude of assignments and projects
Specifically - the incumbent assists the general engineers who perform maintenance of facilities - structures - and all electrical systems - which operate within the facility
Prepares plans - specifications - and estimates for complex projects - which include multidisciplinary architectural - fire and safety - mechanical - plumbing - electrical - telecommunication - analog and digital electronics - and hazardous material abatement design
Works with Chief Engineer and Engineering Staff for the efficient and effective implementation of the Major Construction projects
Keeps Chief Engineer abreast of plans for continuous and ongoing major projects in concert with contractors and FSS
Ensures the Facility Support Services (FSS) staff and contractors are aware of the expectations of Engineering management
Prepares project documents for inclusion in the multi-year facility plan and for submission to the Network - VHACO - and VACO - requesting authorization and funding
Prepares magnitude estimates for projects ranging from minor maintenance to large NRM for advanced budget planning
Prepares detailed cost estimates and justification of need for new construction - renovation - maintenance/repair and equipment installation projects
Performs technical calculations/measurements to verify most cost-effective methods for building/space design
Evaluates survey/measured data obtained - incorporating salient features into design considerations and solutions
Reviews construction contract specifications for compliance with NFPA Life Safety Codes and co-ordinates actions with Regional Safety and Fire Prevention Engineering Staff
Ensures required Interim Life Safety Measures are established and implemented during all phases of construction
Administers contracts for compliance - evaluates submissions - and processes payment applications and invoices within required time frames
Prepares contract drawings and specifications for competitively bid construction and maintenance repair work at this VA Medical Center
Also prepares drawings for outpatient clinic (OPC) level projects
Duties include architectural design - mechanical and electrical design - fire sprinkler design - lighting design - plumbing - heating - air conditioning - ventilation design and asbestos abatement design
Performs assessments in areas of maintenance and repair or remodeling to help determine the presence of asbestos
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
As required - assists in orientation of any temporary technician or draftsman when assigned to the project section
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 insure compliance with drawings and specifications
Works with General Contractor to resolve problems that arise due to error or differing site conditions
Coordinates all projects with using service - from conception to completion
Reviews change order requests from contractors for accuracy and cost control and negotiates - when necessary
Maintains record drawings of all Station and Domiciliary structures and grounds utilizing AutoCad programs
Makes necessary changes to keep drawings current as remodeling occurs
Record drawings are low priority and accomplished only as time allows
Performs energy audits of buildings and building service equipment and systems
Performs calculations on energy consumption and prepares proposals for reducing energy consumption
Work Schedule: Typical tour of duty is Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm but may be adjusted due to needs of the facility
This is an essential position
The incumbent is required to report to work during emergencies and inclement weather
The tour of duty may include holidays - weekends - and rotating shifts
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Position Description/PD#: Engineering Technician/PD01283A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Qualification
Required
Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 02/17/2026
Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement
For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-8
The grade may have been in any occupation - but must have been held in the Federal service
An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials
If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year - it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade - as required by the announcement
In this instance - you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment
BASIC REQUIREMENT: Examples of 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
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-8 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 building codes and standards; knowledge of construction practices; requirements for asbestos management; drafting; use of personal computers and AutoCad program
MUST BE ABLE TO DO THE FOLLOWING: prepare - read and interpret engineering and structural drawings and specification; knowledge of building materials; prepare detailed cost estimates utilizing cost estimating software and Excel; inspects building materials and workmanship; uses construction engineering equipment (calculators - transits - levels and squares - measuring instruments - etc); communicates with contractors - contracting officers and management officials; monitors complete construction projects; prepares reports; and knowledge of safety procedures and fire protection
Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above ONLY in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position
I have two full years of graduate education or a master's degree to meet the requirement at the GS-9 grade level in an appropriate field of engineering - construction - or industrial technology (Transcripts Required)
Equivalent combination of experience and education beyond a Bachelor's degree is qualifying
Education must be in an appropriate field of engineering - construction - or industrial technology (Transcripts Required)
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
Company
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Charles Worthington
Chief Technology Officer
Helga Rippen
Chief Interoperability and Veteran Access Officer
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