PDF versionJob Summary
The Civil Engineer serves as a Geotechnical Engineer in the Geotechnical Section of Technical Services Branch, Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD), Federal Highway Administration, located in Sterling, Virginia. The EFLHD is responsible for the Federal Lands Highway design and construction programs in the eastern half of the United States.
Major Duties
At the full performance level, the Civil Engineer (Geotechnical):
- Provides sound Geotechnical engineering recommendations and assistance.
- Serves as technical specialist in the fields of geotechnical engineering including geology, subsurface investigations, foundation engineering, slope stability, land and rock slide remediation, ground improvement, and other geotechnical-related aspects.
- Manages multiple geotechnical projects simultaneously, delivering on time and within budget. Acts as COTR on technical contracts for engineering services.
- Plans, coordinates, supervises, and participates in geotechnical investigations. Is familiar with geotechnical programs and software.
- Prepares detailed and comprehensive geotechnical reports and memoranda that includes, among other things, subsurface conditions and geotechnical evaluation and recommendations.
- Communicates in person and in writing, within a team environment. Communicates with co-workers, employees of partner agencies, consultants, and personnel from other interested parties.
- Provides on-the-job training to new employees, cooperative education students, highway engineer trainees, and other developmental employees as assigned.
- Conducts, oversees, and manages field and materials source investigations as they relate to the design and construction of highways.
The ideal candidate for this position has experience in the field of geotechnical engineering, slope stability/landslide repair and retaining wall design and is interested in a career where they have the opportunity to plan, coordinate, supervise and participate in geotechnical investigations for roadways and structures with the responsibility to manage projects' schedule and budget.
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 the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (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 athttps://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/... EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:FOR THE GS-09, to qualify on Education alone, you must have: Twofull 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 FOR THE GS-09, to qualify on Experience, you must have one year of equal or equivalent specialized experience, which includes: Experience as an engineer performing highway engineering work such as geotechnical design or subsurface exploration.
Experience reviewing engineering design standards and regulations.
Experience conducting analytical investigations using the scientific method, modeling and computational analysis.
Experience articulating information through various venues such a discussions, meetings, fact sheets, reports, design documentation, briefings, and presentations. You can also qualify based on a combination of education and experience.FOR THE GS-11, to qualify on Education alone, you must have: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. This must be fully supported by transcripts, that you provide with your application. FOR THE GS-11, to qualify on Experience, you must have one year of equal or equivalent specialized experience, which includes: Experience in various geotechnical aspects of transportation projects including the coordination of subsurface field investigations, geotechnical design analysis, and preparation of geotechnical memos and reports.
Experience providing recommendations for foundations, slope stability and retaining walls systems to include cost considerations and constructability. You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience.FOR THE GS-12, to qualify on Experience, you must have one year of equal or equivalent specialized experience, which includes: Experience in all geotechnical aspects of transportation projects which include the coordination of subsurface field investigations, performance of geotechnical design analysis, and preparation of geotechnical memos and reports.
Experience in determining foundations, slope stability and retaining walls systems to include cost considerations and constructability, while also determining the best approach to carry out to completion. You cannot qualify on education at this level, you must have 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. 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=e4Studentsenrolled 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.
Pay Range
$57,809.00 - $108,422.00