Healthcare Engineer – Energy Manager

Summary This position serves as the VISN Energy Manager. The Energy Manager is responsible to the Office of Healthcare Environmental and Facilities Program (HEFP) and acts as principle VISN liaison and main point of contact for engineering compliance between VA Central Office, VISN Management, Office of Capital Asset and Management; Healthcare Environmental Facility Engineering (HEFE); Chief Engineers within the VISN; and other VISN Energy Managers. Responsibilities This position serves as the program specialist in providing engineering expertise in relation to Health Care System building systems compliance; energy and water management; conducting and/or providing professional advisory services for building system equipment; boiler and boiler plant operations; electrical power distribution including generator; safety and sterile processing service facility requirements; legionella prevention and remediation; Green House Gas (GHG) reduction programs; USP Pharmacy regulatory facility requirements; oxygen distribution systems; textile management including laundry plant As applicable; environment of care deficiencies; critical utilities; preventative maintenance for equipment; and HVAC systems. These responsibilities include the development, planning, implementation, coordination, maintenance, and the reporting of all elements of these programs. This position serves as the national or VISN engineer for all activities related to the assigned engineering programs requiring knowledge of program operations, compliance, maintenance and capital planning to include program budget approval, funding allocation and activation. Healthcare Engineers oversee programs for all VAMCs and CBOCs by reviewing, evaluating and coordinating planning data such as projected space requirements and strategic, operational, program and design requirements. They coordinate national or VISN capital investment submissions and provide guidance on investment categories, strategies, financial planning and budgeting. Energy Engineers provide technical expertise on Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC)/Utility Energy Savings Contracts (UESC) and develop guidelines and data tools in completing the application, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, Earned Value Analysis, Alternatives Analysis and Risk Analysis. The position provides a system of communication and training for facility-level engineering staff on a wide variety of program elements and compliance related issues both in terms of energy and water conservation and facility operations. They review, evaluate and provide professional oversight to programs to ensure compliance with VHA Directives, accreditation standards, national codes and other regulatory requirements. They brief network and VHA leadership on energy engineering programs and develop strategies to address gaps and opportunities for improvement. Energy Engineers formulate and establish policies for national or VISN-wide energy conservation initiatives relating to utility system energy operation/performance and operational and maintenance procedures with the objective of meeting VA and VISN energy conservation goals. The position leads or facilitates energy audit teams throughout VISN with a focus on VISN initiatives. Uses energy analysis tools to conduct HVAC, lighting, building, steam generation system, domestic hot water, and other energy audits, to minimize energy and water waste. Prepares reports and surveys for HEFE based on or to prepare for these audits. Responsible for maintaining records of such audits for Health Care Systems within the VISN. Manages building/energy management system(s) and utility metering initiatives (electrical, water, etc.) ensuring proper use, expansion and administration. Monitors the VISNs energy consumption and utility billing related records, analyzes the records to determine energy consumption trends and prepares quarterly energy reports to apprise VISN management of the progress in meeting energy conservation goals. This position manages all VISN Energy Planning activities including the development or review of energy or energy intensive projects for SCIP this includes engineering calculations for Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA), Savings to Investment Ration (SIR), and Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. Ensuring efficient chilled water plant operations, ensuring efficient steam plant operations, ensuring and improving the energy integrity of building envelopes, and operation of HVAC building and lighting controls including digital building management systems. The Energy Manager is responsible for creating Pilot Programs (new technology and procedures); developing local standards to minimize energy and water waste, commodity acquisition, electricity, natural gas, Utility Energy Saving Contracts (UESC). The position then manages and supports the VISNs Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs), Utility Energy Savings Contracts (UESCs), in collaboration with the National Energy Business Center (NEBC). Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30pm Telework: Available on an Ad-Hoc basis Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: HA493-50010-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. Bachelors degree or higher in Engineering or Architecture. To be acceptable, the curriculum must be from a school with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Engineering Accreditation Commission (excludes engineering technology) or National Council of Architectural Registration Boards curriculum. Examples of acceptable engineering and architectural degrees include, but are not limited to: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture and Architectural Engineering. Titles may vary from educational institutions and change over time; OR Evidence of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination with a bachelors degree. Evidence can be in the form of an Engineering in Training certificate issued from any State, the District of Columbia, Guam or Puerto Rico, or test results from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) identifying a passing score; OR Evidence of current professional registration or licensure as a Professional Engineer or Architect. Evidence of current professional registration or licensure can be from any State, the District of Columbia, Guam or Puerto Rico. Grandfathering Provision. (See note under Additional Information) Foreign Education. (See note under Education) Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency. Healthcare Engineer candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Healthcare Engineer, GS-14. Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of current and evolving concepts and principles of general engineering to resolve novel or obscure problems; extend and modify techniques; develop new approaches that guide other engineers who solve a variety of technical problems; and/or apply new, innovative or experimental advanced engineering theories, developments or practices to problems or studies not susceptible to treatment by acceptable methods. Skill in construction, capital planning and multiple healthcare system portfolio management, inclusive of budget development and tracking. Skill in collaborating with persons having diverse viewpoints, goals or objectives to achieve a common understanding of the problem and a satisfactory solution of sometimes controversial and far-reaching matters through active participation in conferences, meetings or presentations. Ability to interpret broad guidelines and exercise considerable judgment and ingenuity in interpreting and adapting existing guides; in developing new and improved hypotheses, concepts or approaches not previously tested or reported; and/or in developing new policies that advance the organization. Ability to coordinate and interact with regional facilities, national and Department-level staff for the implementation and coordination of policies and program plans to apply prioritization methodologies that align facilities capital asset requests and develop infrastructure options that result in the efficacious use of a regional healthcare organization capital strategic plan. Ability to adapt and apply trends in healthcare delivery systems that impact long-term capital assets (such as aging equipment and physical plants) for regionally integrated healthcare systems. Ability to consult and collaborate with all organizational levels in a national healthcare organization, outside organizations and businesses regarding both strategic and financial activities of a regional healthcare organization. Assignment. For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. This position serves as the national or VISN engineer for all activities related to engineering operations, compliance and/or construction and leases (major, minor, clinical specific initiative-inclusive of high-tech, high-cost medical equipment installations and nonrecurring maintenance) and capital planning to include budget approval, funding allocation and activation. Healthcare Engineers oversee project design programs for all VAMCs and CBOCs by reviewing, evaluating and coordinating planning data such as projected space requirements and strategic, operational, program and design requirements. They coordinate national or VISN capital investment submissions and provide guidance on investment categories, strategies, financial planning and budgeting. Healthcare Engineers provide technical expertise on capital asset proposals and develop guidelines and data tools in completing the application, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, Earned Value Analysis, Alternatives Analysis and Risk Analysis. Preferred Experience: Experience in the creation and management of an Energy Management plan to include capital and non-capital solutions. Experience with Energy consumption data acquisition, tracking, trending and asset usage analysis. Experience in the operation and maintenance of facility building service equipment and systems, to include mechanical, electrical, and controls systems. Experience in the planning(SCIP), development/design, construction and commissioning of projects within the various VA construction programs. Experience completing RCx (Retro Commissioning) and Energy Audit projects for a Health Care System or VISN. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Reference: VA Handbook 5005/150, Part II, Appendix G72, March 18, 2022. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Both hands required; Repeated bending (1/2 hour); Climbing, legs only (1/2 hour); Hearing (aid permitted) Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. NOTE: Foreign Education. (Continued from Basic Requirements)To be creditable, engineering, architecture or related education completed outside the U.S. must be submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to a Bachelors degree as outlined in paragraph 3.b. of this appendix. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.