Duties

Major duties may include but are not limited to:

• Independently conducts water sampling throughout the facility as required by facility policies and routes for testing at certified laboratories.
• Manage and develops contract documents to ensure appropriate professional contractor support is always maintained as the contracts Contracting Officer Representative (COR).
• Works with clinicians, engineers, and administrative staff to identify trends in potable or non-potable water systems not meeting requirements and needing further evaluation. They summarize all findings into detailed reports and plan of action for further assignment by senior management.
• Advises senior level management officials of the medical centers regarding additional actions, or program changes that should be taken by the team in order to meet water safety program goals.
• Evaluates a variety of complex, interrelated physical conditions, operating practices, and serious mishaps. Assignments require analysis safety and occupational health problems or circumstances, inconclusive facts or data.
• Interprets a variety of occupational circumstances to adapt known control or protective measures to eliminate or minimize hazardous situations.
• Assists in monitoring and reporting on environmental and water safety management program that allows the Medical Center to meet the requirements set by accrediting organizations.
• Trains other employees in process related to eradication of legionella pneumophia. Trains staff and validates competency to collect and verify environmental and chemical conditions of potable water.
• Participates in the facility Safety, Accident Review Board and Environment of Care committees.

Preferred Experience: The successful candidate should have knowledge and experience in Water safety in respect to Federal and local regulations.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Telework: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: FS#000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education. Candidates must meet at least one of the requirements below:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or Architecture. To be acceptable, the curriculum must be from a school with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Engineering Accreditation Commission (excludes engineering technology) or National Council of Architectural Registration Boards curriculum. Examples of acceptable engineering and architectural degrees include, but are not limited to: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture and Architectural Engineering. Titles may vary from educational institutions and change over time; OR
  • Evidence of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination with a bachelor's degree. Evidence can be in the form of an Engineering in Training certificate issued from any State, the District of Columbia, Guam or Puerto Rico, or test results from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) identifying a passing score; OR
  • Evidence of current professional registration or licensure as a Professional Engineer or Architect. Evidence of current professional registration or licensure can be from any State, the District of Columbia, Guam or Puerto Rico.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:

GS-12 Requirements Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

In addition to meeting the experience requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:

a. Knowledge of water system in multiple settings
b. Ability to develop reports compiled of trends or statistical data.
c. Technical knowledge of water chemistry.
d. Ability to lead, motivate, direct a multidisciplinary team.
e. Knowledge of regulatory authorities and standards such as Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Maryland Dept. of Environmental (MDE), American Society of Healthcare Engineering (ASHE), and The Joint Commission (TJC)
f. Knowledge of and ability to become a certified Contracting Officer Representative (COR) performing duties and responsibilities to run relevant project contracts from conception to completion.
g. Knowledge of MDE certificate requirements based on the Water and Wastewater Operators and Superintendents manual.

The work assignment typically requires the Environmental Engineer (Water System) to independently interpret, evaluate, select, and apply guidelines to specific situations including modifying and adapting when necessary. In addition, judgment must frequently be exercised in applying standard hazard or control elimination practices to different situations. The assignments cover a wide range of work operations and environmental conditions involving a substantial number and diversity of hazards. The employee evaluates a variety of complex, interrelated physical conditions, operating practices, and serious mishaps. Assignments require analysis safety and occupational health problems or circumstances, inconclusive facts or data and are characterized by the uncertainty of accepted control or abatement methods that are available for selection and use.

References: VA Handbook 5005/150, Part II, Appendix G72, dated March 18, 2022

Physical Requirements: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, training rooms, and libraries. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The incumbent must also work outdoors in all types of weather. There may be occasional exposure to moderate risks or discomforts in storage areas or hazardous waste sites. The work is primarily sedentary, although some physical effort may be required, e.g., walking, standing, climbing ladders, stooping, kneeling, and carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .