Healthcare Engineer

Healthcare Engineer

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Jefferson Barracks, Missouri

Salary Range: $68970 - $154076 Per Year

Job Summary: This position serves as the Facility Planner within Facilities Engineering Service, located at the VA St. Louis Health Care System (VASTLHCS). This position is responsible for the Master Facility Planning, Space Management and Lease Management of VASTLHCS, a dual campus health care system, including outlying Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and other associated properties.

Major Duties:

• Major duties include, but are not limited to: Ensures a safe, reliable, and precisely controlled operating environment for direct patient care through management of a planning and activation programs to support healthcare environments. Responsible for Space Management, Lease Management, Facility Master Planning, and Project Planning services for the medical center. Serves as an expert Facility Planner in the planning and activation of spaces and engineering construction projects for VA St. Louis Healthcare System's (VASTLHCS) two medical centers: John Cochran and Jefferson Barracks, as well as its leased properties. Collaborates directly with Chief of Engineering Service, executive leadership, all Services' leadership, clinical, support and administration personnel regarding the planning and activation of space in the medical center. Provides primary input of the Planning Phase of nearly every construction project. Applies sound engineering concepts and methodologies to provide world-class healthcare environments through deliberate and detailed planning. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Permanent, Monday - Friday 08:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Duty Station: Jefferson Barracks Division; however, the duty station may be changed to one of multiple locations within the VA St. Louis Health Care System (VASTLHCS) based on the needs of the facility.

Qualifications: Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. English Language Proficiency: You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d) Education: (must meet one of the following) Bachelor's 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 bachelor's 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. 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). Grandfather Provision: A Healthcare Engineer employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (3/18/2022) who did not meet all the basic requirements in this standard may not be promoted beyond the full performance level (GS-0801-12) or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions until meeting the full qualification requirements. Grade Determinations: GS-7 Healthcare Engineer Experience Requirement: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-9 Healthcare Engineer Experience Requirement: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-7); OR, Master of Engineering degree or Master of Architecture degree or Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field of study as outlined in paragraph 3.b OR, Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph 3.b -AND- two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the core competencies for the GS-09 level assignment. -AND- In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts and practices of the engineering profession. Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines and standards to make recommendations to assure compliance with healthcare facility programs. Ability to understand the operational professional engineering needs of clinical services in the healthcare system. Ability to prepare material on current technical topics and trends for presentation to other technical staff and mid-level hospital management and to keep abreast of changes in engineering technology related to a healthcare facility. GS-11 Healthcare Engineer Experience Requirement: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-9); OR, Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Engineering or a related field of engineering as outlined in paragraph 3.b OR, Master of Engineering degree, Master of Architecture degree, Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field of study as outlined in paragraph 3.b -AND- 1 full year of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities for GS-11 level assignment; OR, Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph 3.b. plus 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities for GS-11 level assignment. -AND- In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of either mechanical, electrical, structural, civil or other engineering/architectural principles, practices and their applications in the healthcare environment. Knowledge of basic project management principles as applied to the healthcare setting. Ability to apply healthcare engineering related standards, codes, policies and regulations, inclusive of, state and local codes. Ability to communicate effective orally and in writing with internal and external customers with tact and diplomacy. Ability to develop material for clinical or administrative staff that addresses the principles and application of engineering technology and/or theory used in healthcare. Ability to advise staff on emerging engineering technology related to a healthcare facility, while keeping abreast of changes in such technology and utilizing the information to solve healthcare facility engineering challenges. GS-12 Healthcare Engineer Experience Requirement (Full Performance Level): Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-12 level you must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the normal line of progression for the occupation which equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. -AND- In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, structural, civil and other engineering/architectural principles, practices and their applications in the healthcare environment. Knowledge of healthcare industry standards and related regulatory agency and organization (including, but not limited to The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), etc.) regulations, requirements, guides, policies, procedures, directives, standards and general medical program requirements as they relate to healthcare engineering. Knowledge of construction standards, methods, practices and techniques, materials and equipment to determine compliance with engineering regulations and standards. Skill in researching and analyzing information, conditions, human factors and projections to make sound engineering and business recommendations and decisions to proactively identify problems and develop innovative solutions within the context of applicable rules, regulations and procedures. Ability to plan and execute complex, multi-faceted projects and inspections while prioritizing resources against approved scopes of work, contract documents and budgets. Ability to organize and lead multi-disciplinary task forces with members from different departments and divisions, as well as design and construction firms. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Full Performance Level: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-12.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/25/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12915859. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-25