Summary

About the Position: Serves as Chief of the Cost Engineering Branch located in Huntsville, AL.

This is an Interdisciplinary position with the following disciplines:

General Engineer GS-0801

Architect GS-0808

Civil Engineer GS-0810

Environmental Engineer GS-0819

Mechanical Engineer GS-0830

Electrical Engineer GS-0850

Chemical Engineer GS-0893

Industrial Engineer GS-0896

Duties

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• Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts short term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work.
• Oversees the preparation, validation and review of cost estimates and cost studies for a variety of highly complex and high valued construction projects.
• Initiates field investigations of specific sites and structures and the compilation and analyses of data.
• Participates in negotiation with contractors and provides technical and authoritative advice and assistance relative to final estimate or change orders in arriving at an equitable price for the work involved.
• Serves as technical consultant and advisor to the branch chiefs, USACE centers, divisions, districts, and laboratories, major commands, users and A-E firms on interpretation and implementation of criteria and technical requirements.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Temporary travel up to 20% of the time.
• Secret security clearance is required.
• Supervisory Probation of 1 year may be required.
• Must provide professional licensure.
• Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

• Current Civilian Employees of the Command
• Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
• Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Engineers:

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=0800-ndx

Basic Requirement for Architecture:

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/architecture-series-0808/

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

GS-14 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service which includes: 1) Serving as a recognized technical expert and advisor on engineering and cost engineering matters; 2) Preparing program planning and conceptual cost estimates for highly complex, state-of-the-art construction programs to support future program development and congressional funding requirements; 3) Providing authoritative technical advice and information to cost engineers, design and construction engineers, and contractor personnel; 4) Leading and assisting the Branch Chief with administrative and personnel management responsibilities, including distributing and balancing workload among employees to ensure timely accomplishment of work; and 5) Managing contracts for cost engineering services including reviewing complex and unusual estimates and participating in negotiations with contractors on final estimates and change orders to reach equitable pricing.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:

• Leadership
• Oral Communication
• Strategic Thinking
• Technical Competence

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-13).

Education

Selection Placement Factor This position requires the possession of a current Professional Engineer (PE), Registered Architect issued by any State in the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico, or Certified Cost Consultant (CCC) required IAW ER 690-1-1212. (You must attach current and valid documentation indicating your Professional Engineering registration number, the state in which you are registered, and the expiration date).

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is an Engineers and Scientists Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
• This is a Limited Area of Consideration for applicants that are Current Civilian Employees of the Command, USACE and the other employment authority categories listed above.

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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.