Summary

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Division of Physical Security Management (DPSM), is seeking qualified candidates for a full-time Mechanical Engineer position. The selected candidate will support the NIH Physical Security Program by helping ensure that all NIH owned and leased facilities comply with federally mandated physical security requirements and are protected against current and emerging threats.

Duties

If selected for this position as a Mechanical Engineer, GS-0830-11/12/13, your duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serves as a senior mechanical engineer and lead engineer/designer overseeing, directing, or administering the design, construction, repair, or maintenance of facilities, structures, systems, and mechanical equipment for complex or high-value projects, and coordinates the development of physical security system and countermeasure designs for large-scale, multi-purpose, multiple-phase projects and provides project management, commissioning, construction administration, inspection, scheduling, design coordination, and post-award management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Develops organizational policies and procedures for mechanical engineering design requirements in accordance with applicable national, Federal, and agency codes and standards, and ensures mechanical systems and infrastructure meet facility security countermeasure and hardening requirements.
• Develops complex mechanical and utility system designs and implements new mechanical engineering approaches and technologies for NIH-specific systems and services, including physical security systems, cooling and ventilation systems, electrical systems supporting back-up generators, physical barriers, protective structures, and facility hardening, and provides mechanical engineering support for physical security measures and mechanisms, including intrusion detection and video surveillance systems, perimeter protection, weapon detection, blast mitigation, chemical, biological, and radiological hazard countermeasures, and forced-entry, improvised explosive device, and ballistic-resistant measures.
• Conducts or directs site surveys, investigations, assessments, and construction site visits to establish baseline data, evaluate site and structural conditions, support mechanical and security system designs, and determine compliance with project designs and applicable standards and codes, and conducts technical evaluations, investigations, quality reviews, risk analyses, and root cause analyses to identify and resolve complex problems involving mechanical systems, physical security systems, equipment, design, construction, operations, and maintenance, and recommends system modifications or solutions based on test and evaluation results.
• Reviews engineering and design packages, plans, and specifications for accuracy, technical competency, feasibility, compliance with project requirements, and adherence to applicable codes and standards, and recommends modifications, improvements, or approval as appropriate.
• Evaluates the condition and effectiveness of existing physical security systems, equipment, and supporting infrastructure; develops lifecycle plans; estimates system lifespan and upgrade or replacement costs; and recommends mitigating or temporary measures when systems are out of service.
• Determines execution plans and appropriate contract vehicles for assigned projects; prepares scopes of work and cost estimates; reviews bids, proposals, specifications, designs, change orders, and contractor submittals; monitors contractor performance; participates in contract negotiations and technical discussions; and serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative for physical security aspects of construction and installation.

Requirements

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.
• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
• Position requires Education.
• The work requires a combination of active and sedentary activities, such as long periods of standing, walking, bending, climbing, stooping, crawling, and carrying objects that may weigh up to 70 pounds.
• The work may require some common characteristics and abilities of physical agility and dexterity to work in confined spaces.
• If selected, you may be required to take training in Physical Security systems, Risk Management, and security vulnerability assessment to be used in completing Engineering Projects.
• If selected, must be able to successfully complete Contracting Officer's Representative certification as required.
• The selectee must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle license.

Qualifications

In order to meet the Basic Qualifications for a Mechanical Engineer, GS-0830 position, you must:

A. Have 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; OR

B. Have 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: (1) statics, dynamics; (2) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (3) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (4) thermodynamics; (5) electrical fields and circuits; (6) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (7) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; OR

C. Be registered as a professional engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico; OR

D. Be registered as an Engineering Intern (EI) or an Engineer in Training (EIT); OR

E. Have 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; OR

F. Have 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; OR

G. Have 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:

You qualify for a Mechanical Engineer at the GS-11 level, if you meet one of the following qualification requirements:

A. Completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, if related; OR

B. Demonstrated in your resume 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) Preparing layout and detail drawings using specific instructions, notes, or sketches provided by engineering staff; 2) Performing calculations such as heat load, system capacity, kinematics and kinetics; 3) Evaluating internal or contracted engineering and/or architectural work of minor complexity; 4) Analyzing and evaluating contractor's shop drawings for adherence to contract specifications; 5) Inspecting and testing new or existing systems to verify proper system operation.;

OR

C. Have a combination of post baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

You qualify for a Mechanical Engineer at the GS-12 level, if you meet the following qualification requirement:

Demonstrated in your resume 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) Analyzing mechanical system needs, making calculations, and preparing designs of mechanical systems with regard to size, space, capacities, functionality and economy performing surveys and investigations to establish baseline data necessary to develop design requirements; 2) Reviewing plans and specifications for accuracy and technical competency; 3) Reviewing scheduling and layout of operations, and performing inspection and surveillance of materials, methods, and equipment used in system construction and maintenance; 4) Preparing detailed cost estimates for use in bid evaluations and change order requests; 5) Analyzing system test and inspection data to verify functionality, operability, and compliance with standards and specifications.

You qualify for a Mechanical Engineer at the GS-13 level, if you meet the following qualification requirement:

Demonstrated in your resume 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) Performing planning and design of mechanical engineering plans in new construction and renovation projects; 2) Evaluating mechanical engineering design objectives, performing complex technical calculations, and identifying the most economical and efficient solutions or processes for project design and performance; 3) Developing engineering specifications and standards for systems; 4) Providing oversight and/or project management for construction or maintenance projects; 5) Consulting with construction or maintenance personnel to resolve difficult and complex unforeseen problems and latent conditions developing during system construction or maintenance activities; 6) Preparing detailed cost estimates for use in bid evaluations and change order requests; 7) Developing system inspection and test plans; 8) Providing subject matter expert lead system guidance and recommendations to leadership regarding mechanical engineering related issues.

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.

If you qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, 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 packages. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

• PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration.
• At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: telework compressed schedules, flexible schedules.
• 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.
• Visit our Help Applying page for helpful information on the application process.
• Military Spouses selected from this announcement will remain in their current duty location (i.e., the official duty station of the military service member.
• If you believe y