Office Engineer, GS-08XX-12/13 (11120)

Announcement Type

TARP - Internal Opportunity (Non-Comp/VIOP)

Position Type

Temporary

Overseas

Deployment

Position Not To Exceed (NTE) Time

12 months

USACE Organization

Transatlantic Division (TAD) - Expeditionary District

Locations (City, State)

Kuwait, Kuwait

Position Overview/Duties

MAJOR DUTIES

1. Participates in design review meetings with agency designers and/or architect engineers as a technical expert in the field of civil engineering. Reviews preliminary and completed plans and specifications to determine whether they are practicable from a construction standpoint, that physical obstructions or other construction difficulties have been anticipated, and that the materials selected are readily available. Serves as a consultant to providing input to design engineers prior to contract advertisement concerning errors and omissions. Attends pre-bid and bid opening conferences. Conducts or participates in pre-construction conferences with contractors to discuss and clarify principal construction features and contract requirements concerning construction scheduling, approval procedures, progress reporting, change orders, quality control, safety program, observance of laws pertaining to equal opportunity, wages and hours, subcontracting, labor relations, payrolls and accident records. Reviews and approves or requires changes in contractor’s subsequent submissions, including manufacturer's data, bid breakdowns and progress schedules, quality control and safety plans. Coordinates construction scheduling with contractors, Federal, state, and local agencies or private interests as required. 

2. Oversees survey work of field personnel engaged in furnishing baselines, grades, reference marks, locations and supplementary data. Monitors work in progress for conformance with contracts and with accepted engineering and construction practices. Maintains control of construction progress, status and pay estimates through the use of progress schedules and network analysis systems. Initiates action through project reports and personal contact with contractors to recoup progress or reschedule as appropriate. Interprets plans and specifications to determine whether construction meets requirements, to resolve unanticipated and complex problems that arise during construction, and to initiate action to withhold payment in case of defective workmanship or non-compliance with plans and specifications. Reviews payrolls and interviews contractor employees to ensure compliance with wage and hour labor laws and regulations. Reviews contractor computations and recommends amount of progress payments due. Oversees testing of equipment and materials through all stages to identify problems and insure conformity of material and procedures, taking timely corrective action when necessary. Assigns and controls work of lower-grade engineers, construction representatives, and inspectors who may be assigned to the project. Provides training as required, furnishes technical guidance and instruction on work-related problems, and ensures that work assignments are carried out in accordance with standards. Maintains factual record of events and work accomplished in the event that a dispute or a potential claim arises. Accomplishes or participates in project closeouts by ensuring that all of the contractor obligations under the contract have been fulfilled. 

3. Authors project reports to keep higher organizational levels informed of progress, delays, status, pay estimates and change orders. Performs field studies to determine changes and revisions in construction details necessitated by unforeseen field conditions, or in the interests of greater economy or improved efficiency and results. Obtains necessary factual information, details and cost estimates and submits comprehensive engineering recommendations to superiors and/or prepares formal contract modification documents. Prepares miscellaneous special studies, estimates and reports as requested, covering inspections, equipment, soil and material tests, suitability of construction materials, adequacy of methods, progress, safety and contractor performance. Meets with appropriate Resident, Area, Directorate, and NAE technical and project management personnel to discuss progress and technical developments. Confers with various public officials and representatives of private groups and state and Federal agencies in promoting cooperation, effectiveness and progress. 

4. Serves as the Construction Division construction scheduling expert and technical consultant, providing expertise and advice to other members of the Division and Resident Office personnel. Requires a thorough knowledge of the principles of construction scheduling as applied to the construction of large, varied and complex projects. May serve as Office Engineer for a Project, Resident or Area Office with general oversight of field office operations including procedures to ensure smooth and efficient office operations. May also serve as Project Engineer for a project with full responsibilities for the timely and high-quality construction of assigned project(s).

A. Collaborates with the Chief, Construction Division and establishes policies for guidance of the Resident Offices in the development and administration of construction schedules. Reviews upcoming projects to determine the type of schedule most suitable for the project. Reviews the contract plans and specifications and writes the special clause(s) requiring the project schedule. These projects include work in the Civil Works, Military and Support for Others programs. Determines those projects that have the highest risk of failure due to lack of proper schedule management and adjusts schedules to provide more frequent and comprehensive assistance to those projects. Establishes procedures for the Resident Offices to follow for the ongoing review and implementation of construction schedules. Follows up to assure adequate assistance and guidance is being furnished Resident Engineers on the interpretations of contract schedule requirements, including all work related to Quality Assurance Testing and Submittals. Personally works with schedules on high-profile and complex projects. Tales action with Resident Office and with contractor to assure schedules as up to date and the logic they reflect is correct.

B. Promotes new methods of construction scheduling by maintaining continuous knowledge of available construction scheduling software as it is developed. Recommends the use of software appropriate to the project in terms of complexity and flexibility. Assures that schedules proposed for projects meet HQUSACE, Army, Air Force, Installation, National, Federal and State criteria and regional standards for construction management. Participates in pre-design conferences, technical review conferences, feasibility review conferences, in progress review meetings and other critical milestone meetings to ensure the effect of decisions made during those on the schedule for a project is well understood. Meetings and conferences involve representatives for HQUSACE, Army and Air Force, local sponsors, technical centers of expertise and other agencies.

C. Provides forensic construction scheduling services during resolution of contractor-submitted claims. Serves as the principal district representative with respect to the effect of changes in the work on the schedule. From an expert knowledge of construction and construction scheduling methods, is able to discern the effect of events happening with respect to submittals and testing and other onsite activities on the overall schedule. Works closely with Corps attorneys to provide expert testimony before the Board of Contract Appeal of the Claims Court.

D. Incumbent must possess a wide range of construction knowledge, as interfacing with other technical disciplines is necessary in order to completely understand various projects and to construct the logic necessary to schedule the work. Expertise is provided during the design phase on the work. 

5. As Office Engineer, provide oversight of field office operations, including formulating and implementing policy and procedures for work flow and document control. Procedures for document control include correspondence, submittals, requests for information (RFI’s), contractor payments, quality control and quality assurance reports, contractor payrolls and test reports. Assign reviewers for contract submittals, track and assure reviews are completed on time, and that comments are appropriate. Assure submittals and other documents are signed/approved by the appropriate government official and make the required distribution thereafter. Serve as office administrator for the Resident Management System (RMS). Maintain submittal registers and job change rosters, prepare and track correspondence, requests for proposals, track deficiencies, and coordinate import/export between RMS and the Contractor Quality Control System (QCS). Provide status and deficiency tracking reports to field office staff as requested. Complete the modification process to include drafting RFP’s, formulating government estimates, evaluating contractor cost proposals, negotiating, drafting records of negotiation and posting completed modifications to construction documents. Assist in evaluation and processing of progress and final payments. Review contractor quality control reports for the express purpose of identifying any statements that allege time or cost impact. Record and track such issues in the RMS claims module. Receive, review and record contractor payrolls and insurance certificates for compliance with wage decisions and specifications. 

Other Conditions and Requirements

Must be a current US Citizen to apply.

Must be able to obtain and maintain an official government passport. 

Must be able to meet CENTCOM medical standards listing medical disqualifiers: https://www.centcom.mil/Portals/6/MEDICAL/MOD17_Tab_A.pdf

Duty station Kuwait: No Danger Pay, 15% Post Differential, 48 hours of paid Overtime/pay period, Sunday Premium Pay, $123/day Per Diem in Govt-provided lodging.  Personal Leave authorized for 1-year tour.

HIS POSITION REQUIRES A SECRET CLEARANCE WORK MAY ENTAIL EXTENDED WORK SHIFT OF 12-16 HOURS A DAY. GENERALLY, INDOOR WORK LOCATION HAS POWER, WATER, HEATING, AND AIR CONDITIONING, ALTHOUGH OUTAGES SHOULD BE EXPECTED. LACK OF SLEEP MAY OCCUR DUE TO LONG WORK HOURS AND UNCOMFORTABLE LIVING CONDITIONS. EMPLOYEE WILL REPORT SYMPTOMS OF STRESS AND FATIGUE TO THE ON-SITE SUPERVISOR. LIVING CONDITIONS RANGE FROM  HAVING ONE OR MORE OF THESE AMENITIES. EMPLOYEES WHO NEED TO STORE REFRIGERATED MEDICATION SHALL PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM THE PRIMARY DUTY STATION, INFORM THE LOCAL EOC SO AVAILABILITY OF REFRIGERATION AT THE WORK SITE CAN BE DETERMINED. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AT WORK LOCATIONS MAY RANGE FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT AND HUMIDITY TO EXTREME COLD AND RAINY. SOME LOCATIONS REQUIRE THAT THE EMPLOYEE BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN STABLE MOBILITY IN SANDY AND UNSTABLE TERRAIN. ALTHOUGH SOME WORK IS SEDENTARY, WORK CONDITIONS SUCH AS ERGONOMIC ISSUES RELATED TO LIFTING AND CARRYING, SEATING, OR VIDEO DISPLAY TERMINALS; REPETITIVE MOTION INJURY FROM USING COMPUTERS, AND THE LIKE MAY BE EXPECTED.

This position is designated as emergency-essential (E-E). The position cannot be converted to a military position because it requires uninterrupted performance to provide immediate and continuing support operations and/or support maintenance and repair of combat essential systems. This position may not be filled by a military reservist. In the event of an emergency situation, the incumbent must continue to perform the E-E duties until relieved by proper authority. Failure to remain in your position may result in separation for the efficiency of the Federal service. Incumbent must complete and sign DD Form 2365 (DoD Civilian Employee Overseas Emergency Essential Position Agreement). Due to the strenuous nature of some deployed assignments, the incumbent may be required to meet certain medical requirements (be free of any health or medical condition that would prevent the employee from performing duties under austere conditions). Incumbent may be subject to medical examination, immunizations (this may include the series of anthrax vaccine immunizations to include annual boosters and other immunizations that may in the future be required), DNA sampling, HIV testing, etc. Adequate medical facilities may not be available within the area of deployment to support certain medical conditions or medications that require special handling.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor

To learn more, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity (https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/federal-employees-job-applicants).

Qualifications

Candidates will be evaluated IAW OPM Requirements: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation is available to qualified employees with disabilities. You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application process, hiring process or while on the job. Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.