About

Overview

Hiring Path:

• Competitive service
• Open to the public

Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:

Open to U.S. Citizens

Security Clearance Required:

Other

Appointment Type

Permanent

Appointment Type Details:

Permanent

Marketing Statement:

Please see the Agency benefits section.

Summary:

Federal Highway Administration has Civil Engineer (Construction) positions available in several Federal Lands Highway Divisions. Projects occur primarily on Federal Lands managed by other Federal agencies (e.g., National Park Service & U.S. Forest Service) & include multi-state areas.

PLEASE NOTE: This establishes an open continuous NTE 12 months, vacancy announcement for Civil Engineer (Construction), we will review applications quarterly. *See "Evaluations” for more information.

Supervisory Position:

No

Relocation Expenses Reimbursed:

No

Travel Required:

75% or less

Travel required

Duties

At the mid-level, duties include:

• Provides on-site administration of construction contracts. Ensures projects are constructed according to plans and specifications. Administers projects by providing engineering guidance to the contractor, the client agency, and other project personnel.


• Ensures engineering and technical specification requirements are met and work is accomplished according to the contract documents. Determines the need for and issues directives to the contractor as provided for in the contract and in conformance with Division policies and procedures. Foresees possible problems and takes appropriate action.


• Oversees a range of assigned activities such as materials testing, project schedule, progress estimates, surveys, traffic control, environmental controls, and construction methods. Makes recommendations to the project engineer if construction methods and safety measures do not comply with the contract. Determines the acceptability and quality of the day-to-day work. Documents daily activities and ensures project files are kept up-to-date and complete.


• Identifies possible changes needed and obtains field data as needed. Prepares contract modifications and, as approved by the project engineer, issues directives and contract modifications. Develops independent government estimates and drafts contract modification documents, including pre-negotiation memorandums and negotiation memorandums. Prepares on-site correspondence.


• Carries out the day-to-day project activity and coordinates with contractor staff, co-workers, partner or cooperating agency representatives, State and county officials, local municipalities, property owners, local utilities, and other interested parties, and resolves issues and problems that arise. Maintains public relations through contacts at the local level.

The ideal candidate for this position is a mid-career engineer with experience independently and effectively serving as a project engineer in charge of complex construction projects responsible for ensuring compliance with contract specifications, providing guidance and technical direction to lower level project staff, and providing construction operations input from preliminary design stages through construction of the project.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.


• PHYSICAL CONDITIONS: The work requires extensive standing, walking, climbing, bending, lifting and carrying up to 60 pounds. In addition, you will be exposed to varying weather and terrain conditions.


• DRIVER'S LICENSE: You must have a valid state driver’s license and be fully qualified to operate a government-owned vehicle.


• SHIFTS: Due to the overall responsibility for the project, the employee must be available for varied duty shifts and for off-duty emergencies, particularly throughout contractor multi-shift construction periods.


• TRAVEL: The position involves a significant amount of travel away from your duty station for extended periods of time. Travel may often be to remote locations. You must be willing to travel for extended periods of time, often to remote locations.


• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel.  A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.


• DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

 

Key Requirements:

You must meet specialized experience to qualify

Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date

Review Required Documents Section as documents are required by closing date

Announcement also advertised open to Status & VEOA: FHWA.HFL-2018-0011

Education Requirements:

MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (Please see the Qualifications section)

Evaluations:

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level.

If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of four categories: Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze, which is based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference that have provided supporting documents will receive selection priority over non-veterans. The top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position.

Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. The answers you select in the on-line process must be substantiated in your application package.  If upon review, it is determined that your described work history, competencies, and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be updated or you may not be referred to the selecting official. Please ensure that your work history provides enough details to support your answers.  The Automated Staffing Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating.

* PLEASE NOTE: This announcement establishes an open continuous (12 month) vacancy announcement for Civil Engineer (Construction) GS-0810-7/9/11/12.  Given our continuing need for top professionals in this field, we will review applications after 10/01/2018.  The final review will be on the closing date.  Following these dates, we will contact qualified applicants to schedule interviews.  We will give equal consideration to all applications we receive.  Duty locations will vary.  The difference in salary is determined by the locality pay in each location.  Salaries for all areas are available on the OPM website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2018/general-schedule/

Qualifications:

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

All applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify for consideration for an engineering position:

A. Successful completion of a degree in engineering that: (1) has at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) that included differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced that first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics:  (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials; (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials; and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; OR

B. Combination of education or training: college level education, training and/or technical experience that has furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying 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:
1. Professional registration or licensure - current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE).
2. Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences which included the courses as specified in Paragraph A above.
4. Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. There should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering type experience. This must be clearly described in your resume.

For more specifics, please see the OPM qualifications standard for GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

 
To qualify for the GS-07 on Experience, you must have at least one full year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to GS-05, it must include:
 

• Experience assisting higher-graded engineers in performing engineering work relevant to planning, design, or construction of any civil engineering features or projects (buildings, roads, bridges, site preparation, or other related work).

 

To qualify for the GS-07 on Education, you must have:
 

• One full academic year of graduate level education; OR bachelor’s degree with * Superior Academic Achievement http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=General-Policies as defined in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook; OR five academic years of pre-professional study.
  *Superior Academic Achievement.- In the upper one-third of graduating class; OR a GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0, as recorded on official transcript, or based on courses completed during final 2 years of curriculum; OR a GPA of 3.5 or higher out of 4.0, based on average of required courses completed in major or required courses in major completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR Honor Society Membership.

You can also qualify based on a combination of education and experience.

 To qualify for the 09 on Experience, you must have at least one full year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to GS-07, it must include:
 

• Experience as an engineer performing a variety of highway construction activities, such as conducting construction project surveys, performing materials testing, and conducting construction inspections.

 

To qualify for the GS-09 on Education, you must have:
 

• Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR


• Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR


• LL.B. or J.D., if related

You can also qualify based on a combination of education and experience.

 
To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one full year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to GS-09, it must include:
 

• Experience as an engineer on highway construction projects overseeing a range of assigned activities such as materials testing, project schedule, progress estimates, surveys, traffic control, environmental controls, and construction methods; AND


• Experience coordinating with contractor staff, co-workers, and other stakeholders to resolve day to day issues and problems that arise.

 
To qualify for the GS-11 on Education, you must have:
 

• Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR


• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR


• LL.M., if related

You can also qualify based on a combination of education and experience. 

 
To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience , you must have at least one full year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to GS-11, it must include:
 

• Experience as the project engineer in charge or equivalent responsible for the administration and inspection of Federal, State or local highway construction projects that included major operations such as grading, drainage, bridge construction, retaining wall construction, traffic flow and maintenance, and recycled or conventional paving; AND


• Experience leading the work of staff performing highway construction project/inspection activities; AND


• Experience coordinating with partners and project stakeholders in order to resolve issues related to highway construction projects.

 
You cannot qualify for the GS-12 on education alone, you must have experience and meet the education requirements.

 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.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link:  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.

Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

 

 

Benefits and Other Info

Benefits URL:

Review our Benefits

Agency Benefits:

Real solutions to meet genuine challenges. Innovative ideas to take on growing realities. That's the Federal Highway Administration - Leaders in Paving the Way on the Road to Success

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is ranked #4 in the 2017 best places to work in the Federal Government!

Other Information:

Displaced employees may be eligible for ICTAP or CTAP priority consideration. For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition.

EEO STATEMENT: The Department of Transportation (DOT) maintains a model federal work environment that is free of discrimination. DOT ensures equal employment opportunity for employees and applicants for employment, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), genetic information, age, disability, sexual orientation, or protected activity.

This vacancy may be used to fill similar positions within 90 days for these locations.

How to Apply

How to Apply:

You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.

• To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
• Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
• You may review your saved application(s) at https://my.usajobs.gov.

If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email us at Transjobs@dot.gov

Required Documents:

ALL Applicants must provide a resume that fully supports the required specialized experience and was created within USA Jobs Resume Builder and respond to the vacancy questions by the closing date of the vacancy. 

The following is a list of documents that are only required based on the type of position and consideration for which you are applying.  

TRANSCRIPTS - Transcripts are REQUIRED if there is a stated education requirement for the series OR if you are substituting education for experience. The transcripts need not be official, but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements. 

• If you are applying to an engineering position and are qualifying based on possessing a current Professional Engineer (PE) license, or passing the Engineer in Training (EIT) exam, please provide a copy of PE license or written documented proof of passing the EIT.


• If you have previously held a government position in the same series as this position, you may be able to provide an SF-50 showing that you have already qualified and worked in the federal service in this series.  

PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS/INCENTIVE AWARDS: If applicable, performance appraisals and/or Incentive award documentation may be submitted and will be forwarded to the selecting official as support in consideration of your application in the evaluation process. To receive due weight, you must submit a recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (do not submit a performance plan) and/or incentive award documentation dated within the last 18 months (i.e. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increases, etc.).

VETERANS: Your last DD214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, that shows the type of discharge and all dates of active duty is required to verify your eligibility.  It need not be official.

• If you are applying to a vacancy opened to all US Citizens under category rating and wish to be considered as a preference eligible, you need to submit a copy of your DD214.


• If you are claiming preference eligibility as a disabled veteran, you must submit proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally a valid letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability.  An SF-15 is desired, but not required.


• If you are applying to a vacancy opened Status and you are requesting consideration under Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) (https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/#veoa), you need to provide a copy of your last DD214, which verifies your military service dates, reason for separation, OR certification of separation that shows a discharge date within 120 days of the closing of this announcement, and eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act.

STATUS APPLICANTS:  If seeking eligibility consideration as status/agency/DOT employee, you must provide proof of eligibility in the form of an SF-50.   Your SF-50 must verify the highest grade held competitively, full performance level of position, and eligibility as a status applicant.  Please do not submit an Award SF-50, as these are often incomplete and do not verify grade or status eligibility.

NON COMPETITIVE APPLICANTS: If requesting concurrent consideration for Non-competitive (NC) appointment eligibility,  you must provide the appropriate SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITY DOCUMENTS, such as PCS orders (military spouse) describing move & marriage certificate; letter from VA or DD214 describing 100% disability of spouse; letter from State Vocational Office certifying disability (schedule A), etc. For more information, visit military spouse NC appointments or Persons with Disabilities NC appointments.

DISPLACED EMPLOYEES: If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency CTAP program (ICTAP), you must meet the well qualified standards for this vacancy (meeting minimum requirements for position and scoring at least an 85 or falling in the Gold Category)  and provide all of the following documents:  

• your most recent performance appraisal,


• the proof of eligibility letter from the Agency, and


• your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade.

 
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system.  You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.

 

Next Steps:

You may check your application status by logging into USAJobs.com. (Select "My USAJOBS" and click "Applications"). Within two weeks of the closing date, a Human Resources Specialist will evaluate your application. Ratings will be determined based on the documents and information received by the closing date. Qualified candidates will be assigned a category, not including points that may be assigned for veterans' preference. If the vacancy is advertised under status, your application will be scored on a scale between 70 - 100.  The most highly qualified candidates are then referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. If the vacancy was advertised under category rating, then the appropriate veteran's preference will be applied.  If you are selected for an interview, we will contact you directly. Once the position is filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.