Summary

The Division of Safety (DS) is looking for an Engineer to join in the development and implementation of safety and health engineering guidance and recommendations pertaining to facility planning, design, construction, and testing of research and research support buildings. For more information, visit http://ors.od.nih.gov

Duties

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• Serves as the Manager of the Safety Engineering Activity (SEA), Division of Safety (DS). Leads planning and implementation of new programs and contracts for the SEA.
• Provides technical and administrative leadership and direction in the development and implementation of programs and initiatives to enhance complex biocontainment facility safety.
• Collaborates with others to assure mechanical and safety system validation and verification for the NIH's portfolio of biocontainment laboratories.
• Utilizes advanced knowledge of applied engineering principles, mechanics, thermodynamics, air flow, and pressure to provide safety recommendations.
• Determines technical requirements for contract support staff assigned to the SEA; interviews and recruits qualified professionals to support SEA programs.
• Applies expertise in engineering theory, methodology, and techniques in the planning, design and development of biomedical research facilities.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• This position has a condition for continued employment of completing a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450. This information is required annually. For information, visit the NIH Ethics website: https://ethics.od.nih.gov/fd.
• Position requires education as described in the Qualifications section of this announcement.
• If selected, you will be tested for illegal drug use; and during employment you will be subject to random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident drug testing. Employment is contingent on a negative drug test result.
• Requires use of PPE including respiratory protection and enrollment into the Animal Exposure Program.
• This position has a position requirement of being able to stand for prolonged periods on concrete floors and walk over rough and uneven terrain with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• This position has a position requirement of being able to bend, stoop, walk, stand, and climb, and work in cramped position with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• This position has a position requirement of being able to lift and move heavy items weighting 30lbs. with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

To quality for an Engineer, GS-0801 you must meet one of the Basic Qualification Requirements below:

• A bachelor's degree in professional engineering from a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum.
• A bachelor's degree in professional engineering that includes differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced that first-year physics and chemistry) in 5 of the following 7 areas of engineering science or physics:
  
  • statics, dynamics;
  • strength of materials (stress-strain relationships);
  • fluid mechanics, hydraulics;
  • thermodynamics;
  • electrical fields and circuits;
  • nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and
  • any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
• Registered as a professional engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
• Currently registered as an Engineering Intern (EI) or an Engineer in Training (EIT).
• 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.
• Successfully completed at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum as described above.
• Successfully completed a curriculum that led to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology OR in an appropriate professional field, e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology AND I have at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

Additionally

In order to qualify for the Engineer at the GS-14 level, you must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) Applying biocontainment engineering principles and methodologies to the operation, assessment, maintenance, or improvement of containment laboratories and associated systems; 2) Conducting engineering analyses and technical evaluations of laboratory facilities and critical building systems; 3) Interpreting and applying engineering standards, biosafety requirements, and occupational safety and health regulations; 4) Investigating and resolving complex engineering or operational issues affecting research environments; 5) Developing or recommending engineering, biosafety, and occupational health policies, procedures, or technical requirements supporting biomedical research activities.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply:

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

• This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position, and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
• Based on your appointment, a one-year probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
• If selected, required to participate and meet all requirements of the NIH Biological Surety Program. Tier 3 background investigation and annual behavioral health assessments are included in the NIH BSP. Experience with Safety Engineering for BSL4 and BSL4 facilities
  
  preferred.
• If selected, must obtain a positive FBI Security Risk Assessment (SRA) in compliance with 7 CFR Part 331; 9 CFR Part 121; and 42 CFR Part 73.
• If selected, will be required to gain/maintain access to BSL 3, BSL 4, and associated animal facilities and/or labs.
• At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: telework compressed schedules, flexible schedules.
• PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should also apply online to this announcement in order to receive consideration.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Visit our Help Applying page for helpful information on the application process.
• If selected, you may be eligible to receive a salary above the minimum based on superior qualifications and/or a special need of the Government for your services. This applies to employees paid under the General Schedule (GS) and Federal Wage System (FWS) pay systems and is at the discretion of the hiring manager. A salary above the minimum must be approved before the appointment.
• NIH may repay certain outstanding Federally insured student loans to facilitate the recruitment and retention of highly qualified people. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
• A newly appointed or reappointed employee may receive service credit for prior work experience or active-duty uniformed service that otherwise would not be creditable for the purpose of determining his or her annual leave accrual rate. All creditable service must be directly related to the duties of the position being filled and decisions to allow for such credit must be finalized prior to the selectee's entrance on duty. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
• A newly appointed or reappointed individual may receive a recruitment incentive. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.