Civil Engineer

PDF versionPDF version
Department of Agriculture

Job Summary

This position is located on the Nebraska National Forest in Chadron, Nebraska. Individual serves as a civil engineer on a Forest Service unit performing a variety of duties requiring professional civil engineering expertise. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Nathaniel Marcoe at 308-432-030 or nathaniel.maroce@usda.gov.

Major Duties

  • Responsibilities are at the full performance level.
  • Prepare design criteria for smaller or less complex portions of conventional roads, facilities, utility systems, and/or structures.
  • Prepare completed road designs involving drainage structures, base and surfacing analysis, and/or special structures using basic survey data.
  • Conduct preliminary surveys and/or site investigations to obtain baseline and field data on soils, topography, drainage, existing structures and utilities, and/or feasible layout of proposed roads, facilities or structures in relation to terrain.
  • Develop programs for maintenance facilities, which includes; development of project or proposals, preparation of designs and/or specifications, and accomplishment of repair and modification work.
  • Conduct inspections of facilities to ensure they are maintained to the original standard of construction and/or to ensure the safety of the public.
  • Identify issues to recommend changes that solve problems such as unusual foundation conditions caused by faults.
  • Investigate need for contract change orders by considering conditions at work site, field measurements and computations, and/or local prices.
  • Interpret safety regulations to promote overall safe working conditions and assure that safe practices are followed during projects.
  • Participate in field surveys and/or investigations of existing facilities and utility systems to ensure that maintenance and repair schedules and procedures conform to safety, health, and regulatory requirements.
  • Serve as contracting officer?s representative, engineering representative, or inspector as assigned.
  • Perform all duties associated with contract administration for an entire project.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Basic Requirement: Degree: professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: GS-7: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level. Examples may include: Assisted with the completion of location surveys for roads, bridges and trails generally after route and control point selection by a higher grade engineer. Assisted with field surveys, topographic maps and specific locations for such items as water distribution systems, wastewater treatment systems, parking areas, campsites, and other minor structures. Completed field reviews for adequacy and structural soundness of plans and specifications presented for minor construction. Assisted with the inspections of contract construction for roads, bridges, buildings and other structures assuring compliance with plans, specifications, and other contract terms. Assisted with the inspection of condition of roads, bridges and other structures to determine maintenance and repair needs. OR 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement. The education must have been obtained in an Accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. OR Superior Academic Achievement; OR successful completion of a 5-year program of study of at least 160 semester hours leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering. OR An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. Professional engineering experience is defined as non-routine engineering work that required and was characterized by (1) professional knowledge of engineering; (2) professional ability to apply such knowledge to engineering problems; and (3) positive and continuing development of professional knowledge and ability. GS-9: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level. Examples may include: Assisted with the conducting preliminary surveys and site investigations to obtain baseline and field data on soils, topography, drainage, existing structures and utilities, and feasible layout of proposed roads, facilities or structures in relation to terrain. Investigated routes and locations for proposed roads and trails using aerial photos and topographic maps. Assisted with the preparation of design criteria for smaller or less complex portions of conventional roads, facilities, utility systems, or structures. Prepared completed road designs involving drainage structures, base and surfacing analysis, and special structures using basic survey data. Made inspections and evaluation of the conditions of facilities and structures to ensure accuracy, existing standards, codes, regulations and requirements, and suitability of final design. Participated in field surveys of existing facilities and utility systems to ensure that maintenance and repair schedules and procedures conform to safety, health, and regulatory requirements. Performed contract administration duties for an entire project of limited size or complexity or a minor part of a large project. OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree (coursework directly related to the position being filled). OR Successfully completed a 5-year program of study of at least 160 semester hours leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering and 1 year of appropriate professional experience. 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.

Pay Range

$42,053.00 - $66,868.00

More information...

End Date: 

Monday, December 23, 2019