General Engineer

Qualifications:

You must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Specialized Experience to qualify for this series as described below. See the Education section for the Basic Requirement.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
The specialized experience listed are the minimum requirements for the series, each particular vacancy may have additional experience necessary to meet the applicable grade level.

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for these positions are defined as:

GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-09). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of 4 of the following:

• Utilizing basic engineering techniques, procedures, and methods to provide support in the planning, development or implementation for components of assigned programs/projects;
• Carrying out, interpreting, and explaining basic computations and calculations to evaluate program or project performance;
• Preparing parts of reports or written evaluations to explain and convey findings related to engineering programs, projects, or processes;
• Assisting in identifying and resolving engineering issues which could have an impact on the program/project.

OR

Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. For this position, this is defined as a degree in engineering, or a similarly related major.

OR

Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full-time study may be credited).

GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of 4 of the following:

• Applying engineering practices to research, analyze, interpret, and evaluate results of programs, projects, or processes;
• Planning and conducting engineering studies to evaluate and recommend ways to improve program or process efficiency;
• Performing and interpreting calculations, analyses, and computations to develop recommendations for coordinating projects or programs in an efficient and cost-effective manner;
• Drafting reports or written evaluations to explain and convey findings related to engineering programs, projects, or processes.

GS-13: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-12). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of 4 of the following:

• Applying advanced engineering practices to research, analyze, interpret, and evaluate results of programs, projects, or processes;
• Planning and conducting complex engineering studies that included determining the relevancy and use of aesthetic, factual, economic/financial, engineering, or scientific information, in order to evaluate and recommend ways to improve program or process efficiency;
• Performing and interpreting calculations, analyses, and computations that involved unknown factors or relationships to develop recommendations for coordinating projects or programs in an efficient and cost-effective manner;
• Reviewing engineering reports or written evaluations to ensure quality and accuracy.

GS-14: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-13). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of 4 of the following:

• Analyzing the application of experimental engineering theories and/or new applications and developments for research and development;
• Devising, customizing, overseeing, and/or evaluating specialized engineering systems, processes, and applications;
• Developing requirements, long term goals, objectives, and schedules for the accomplishment of applied research and development, and deployment of technologies;
• Preparing, presenting, and evaluating engineering plans, designs, reports, presentations, and briefings to convey the status of research projects or programs.

GS-15: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-14). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of 4 of the following:

• Developing and documenting engineering research plans that involved applying experimental theories or new applications or developments;
• Managing and successfully executing significant projects impacting an important segment of the company or agency's mission;
• Providing expert engineering advice to senior colleagues or company or agency officials responsible for broad program operations in order to advance programs or methods;
• Evaluating complex technical issues and research results associated with the integration of technologies to recommend future program research needs.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 through GS-15 levels.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-0801 series can be found at the following website: OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-0801 series.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

This public notice may be used to fill multiple positions as needed; therefore, applicants must meet the qualifications at the time certificates are requested.

Responsibilities:

• Use sound technical judgment and initiative to resolve the challenges of changing conditions and other problems relative to the assigned projects and programs.
• Use physics or mechanical, nuclear, electrical, chemical, civil, or industrial engineering theories, principles, and practices.
• Analyze situations, identify problems, probe causes, and recommends courses of action or solutions.
• Work closely with a team, perform assessments, clearly and concisely document assessment results, and present findings orally and in writing to the approval authority.
• Coordinate with related engineering and physical science fields adequate to effectively discuss technical points and to recommend acceptable engineering solutions to problems.
• Perform and interpret calculations, analyses, and computations for unknown factors or relationships primarily in the matters of factual nature of involving well understood mechanisms.