Electrical Engineer

Summary This position serves as a technical expert and project leader in the evaluation of applications submitted for approval, certification, evaluation, or extension thereof. The incumbent investigates applications of the most complex electrical and electronic (power and system wiring) mining equipment and components, including technical drawings and specifications, submitted for approval and determines if the equipment meets all technical requirements. Responsibilities Conducts approval-related applications of the most complex electrical and electronic (power and system wiring) mining equipment and components, including technical drawings and specifications, submitted for approval and determines if the equipment meets the technical requirements of the applicable parts of Title 30, C.F.R., MSHA and internal policies. Conducts field inspections of equipment which cannot be submitted to the laboratory for evaluation. Designs and directs construction of complex test equipment for the evaluation of circuits or equipment which cannot be tested with standard test instruments, and conducts appropriate tests as needed to further an investigation. Analyze new and revised drawings and specifications submitted by manufacturers, mining companies, and mine operators to determine if the proposed design or modification(s) meets the applicable regulations and standards to prevent a safety hazard or mine explosion. Evaluates proposed changes to previously approved equipment determining the extent of the change and whether re-inspection and retests are necessary. Contacts manufacturers, personally or in writing, in cases where approval cannot be granted and consults with manufacturers making recommendations and explaining how the equipment may be made acceptable. Conducts or directs in-house research to develop data to substantiate proposed revisions of safety standards and improve testing methods used to evaluate circuits. Conducts special projects and investigations related to approval-type actions in response to requests from the field or identify problems with permissible equipment, processing procedures or policies, or in support of standards development. Expert and leader in the planning, directing, and coordinating of various complex projects involving the application of new technology or concepts to equipment or products intended for use underground, especially in gassy mines. Provides authoritative engineering, scientific expertise, and services during fatal and serious non-fatal accidents and other non-emergency investigations. Serves as an advisor to the Branch Chief and makes recommendations to coordinate the implementation of technical policy decisions. Acts as a liaison between the division and the other A&CC organizations concerning activities and projects that directly impact Division operations. Serves as a technical authority and MSHA expert witness in court testimony. Contacts manufacturers, personally or in writing, in cases where equipment approval cannot be granted and consults with manufacturers, making recommendations and explaining how the equipment may be made acceptable. Prepares written and oral presentations and instruction to provide formal and informal talks at meetings, training sessions, seminars, and workshops for MSHA Enforcement and technical personnel, mining industry stakeholders, Federal and State officials, and other interested parties. Serves as an instructor to present highly specialized training courses and seminars. Mentor and assist with training less experienced and new electrical engineers and technicians within the division. Serves as Technical Supports expert on committees formed to develop standards, regulations, or polices related to electrical machine and device approval , product manufacturing, and problem resolution. Participates in research committees relative to innovative electrical/electronic equipment designs and/or proposed evaluation criteria, and evaluates if the proposed design/criteria are safe and/or acceptable for MSHA use/adoption, and makes appropriate recommendations for adoption or modification to meet acceptance. Researches material, documents, standards, etc., in conjunction with technological advancements, unique, product approval inquiries, innovative design and product construction, and field complaints concerning the use of approved products to develop criteria when current regulations are not applicable. Prepares technical papers for publication and presentations for a variety of conference settings on subjects of current importance to those engaged in mining and mining research. Prepares thorough and technically sound reports, policies, procedures and standards for adoption based on investigative findings. Reviews mine records, inspection reports, and other documents as necessary, and participates in writing reports that address the engineering and other cause(s) of accidents and disasters. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications You must meet both the Basic Education Requirements and the Specialized Experience to qualify for Electrical Engineer, as described below. All applicable transcripts must be submitted. Basic Education Requirement 0850 Series Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree that included a major field of study in professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR Combination of education and experience — college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional 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: Professional registration — Current registration as a professional engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Boards eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions. Written Test — Evidence of having successfully passed the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) examination, or the written test required for professional registration, which is administered by the Boards of Engineering Examiners in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Applicants who have passed the EIT examination and have completed all the requirements for either (a) a bachelors degree in engineering technology (BET) from an accredited college of university that included 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences, or (b) a BET from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) may be rated eligible for certain engineering positions at GS-5. Eligibility is limited to positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of the engineering technology program. Applicants for positions that involve highly technical research, development, or similar functions requiring an advanced level of competence in basic science must meet the basic requirements in paragraph A. Because of the diversity in kind and quality of BET programs, graduates of other BET programs are required to complete at least 1 year of additional education or highly technical work experience of such nature as to provide reasonable assurance of the possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for professional engineering competence. The adequacy of this background must be demonstrated by passing the EIT examination. Specified academic courses — Successful completion of 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 for a degree. Related curriculum — Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelors degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field, e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.) Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12, in the Federal Service that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, experience and skills to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience must include four of the following: (These types of examples must be fully evident in your resume.) Presents testimony as an expert witness in civil or criminal litigation; Evaluates engineering plans or documents prepared by others and recommends corrective actions; Working knowledge of electrical engineering related to design and construction of electrical components and mining equipment; Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills utilizing Microsoft Office Applications (Excel; Word; Outlook; PowerPoint) and Adobe to draft, finalize and present reports and presentations; Assists in the development and recommendation of policies and procedures which govern engineering aspects of mining equipment and materials and other associated areas. Education Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service. If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum coursework requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information. Additional Information This position is inside the bargaining unit. If the duty location is within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the Local 12, AFGE bargaining unit. If the duty location is outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the NCFLL bargaining unit. The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers. As such, the Department is committed to fostering a workplace and workforce that promote equal employment opportunity, reflects the diversity of the people we seek to serve, and models a culture of respect, equity, inclusion, and accessibility where every employee feels heard, supported, and empowered. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION This position is subject to the confidential financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). Therefore, if selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest(s) and your prospective position with DOL. This information will be required annually. All MSHA employees and their spouses, and minor children are prohibited by regulation from having any interest, direct or indirect, in any mine or mining company that may be directly affected by the work of MSHA through its investigations, technical research, or other activities. These interests are prohibited under the Department of Labors Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct Regulations at 5 CFR 5201.105. Certain MSHA employees are required to file a financial disclosure report. For questions, please contact Rhonda Dory at dory.rhonda.a@dol.gov or 972-850-4427. Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy. The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click here for Additional Information. The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicants criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agencys complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions. All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71.