Electrical Engineer

at  US Environmental Protection Agency

QUALIFICATIONS

NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements, including any requirements described in the Education section, by the closing date of this announcement.
In addition to the basic entry education requirements, you must have specialized experience and/or directly related education as described below:

To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must have one of the following:

• 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level defined as evaluating electrical design objectives and/or features; identifying cost-effective and/or efficient procedures used for project design and performance within established practices and/or guidance; and preparing necessary drawings, specifications, technical calculations, and/or supporting documents for advertised or negotiated procurements.
• 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree; or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; the education must be directly related and provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position
• equivalent combination of education and experience

To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must have 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level defined as designing electrical features and equipment for buildings and structures; developing design studies, engineering plans, specifications, and reports for individual projects, determine necessary revisions to project features to obtain a functionally and electrically adequate end product; identifying efficient procedures for project design and performance within established practices and/or guidance.

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of electrical engineering in order to provide advice on difficult but conventional issues in the areas of energy conservation and sustainability.
• Ability to manage and develop new electrical engineering programs for the Agency.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of electrical engineering that enables personnel to provide advice to headquarters and field personnel in all areas of design and construction of electrical systems.
• Ability to apply new developments to problems not readily treatable accepted methods.
• Knowledge of legislation, laws and regulations regarding the contracting of government services and the product expected.
• Ability to communicate in writing.
• Knowledge of review and evaluation techniques and contract specifications.

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.

• If you have part-time work experience, read this: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

EDUCATION

You must have one of the following:

• Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college

OR

• Combination of college level education or training AND technical experience that has furnished you with (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
• Professional registration as an engineer.
• Evidence of passing the Engineer-in-Training written test.
• Successful documented completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences as described by OPM.
• Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field and at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

Please review the OPM page on specifics about required curriculum and for more information on qualifications, please visit GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications
For information about accreditation requirements, visit EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.
To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the top right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes.
All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature.
If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed below for assistance no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement. You must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes.
For detailed instructions to assist you in ensuring your application package is received, go to EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Help

At the entry level of this position, you will:

• Manage the agency’s National Advanced Utility Metering System.
• Ensure electrical systems compliance with drawings and specifications, sustainability initiatives and consults with contractor/agency management personnel to resolve unforeseen problems and latent conditions developing during construction.
• Implement electrical engineering approaches, activities for repairs, improvements, and EPA construction.
• Serve as Agency Contracting Officer Representative and Project Manager.

When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses.
NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.
You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.