Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Department: Legislative Branch

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $84601 - $131826 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol, Office of the Chief Engineer, Planning and Design Division, Planning, Energy, and Architecture Branch, Fire Protection and Mechanical Engineering Section. The selectee will be responsible for carrying out projects involving the design, installation, replacement, modernization, inspection and testing of central heating, cooling, and plumbing systems.

Major Duties:

• ** Duties quoted at the GS-12 grade level. This is a career ladder position requiring the incumbent to perform progressively more complex duties and responsibilities leading to the full performance level. The individual selected for this position will perform the following: Design and Development Directs leading-edge design for a variety of mechanical systems focused on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, plumbing, energy and water conservation, Building Automation System (BAS) and indoor air quality (IAQ). Ensures adherence to design schedules, material deliveries and construction schedules and reviews job progress and conformance to specifications. Coordinate and serves as a design expert for project managers and others to analyze design requirements where there are conflicting and inadequate guidelines and ensures that all technical areas are covered Assists with the development design concepts, calculations, field reviews, preparation of final drawings and performs construction oversight and coordination as required on each assigned project. Conducts research to develop improved designs of mechanical equipment and systems. Coordinates with building superintendents and their staff to schedule construction projects. Participates in commissioning reviews for building systems and equipment, from those associated with small in-house designs, to large projects which have assigned commissioning agents. Prepares Statements of Work (SOW) for a wide range of engineering projects, either in the form of an invitation for bid or a purchase requisition. Determines the requirements for equipment to be procured through the bidding process, obtains pricing and submittal data and determines the successful bidder based on the technical adequacy of the submission. Determines proper HVAC performance of a completed project, as required during the investigative portion of a project or, as assigned. Prepares, revises and maintains Computer Aided Design (CAD) graphic data for use in mechanical equipment and systems design. Coordinates with other building system disciplines, such as electrical, fire protection, and structural. Technical Advice and Guidance Collaborates with management and planning personnel, and other building systems disciplines in preparing requirements and criteria for complex or high value projects concerning a variety of HVAC and plumbing engineering, automatic controls and energy conservation issues in sizes and complexity from small up to major. Serves as a mentor and provides guidance to entry-level engineers. Performs complex calculations and designs and specifications or directs and advises other engineers and technicians in the design and specification of individual systems, components and details in HVAC and plumbing engineering. Serves as a staff expert for energy and water conservation, HVAC, direct digital controls and plumbing projects of major size and complexity. Participates in planning conferences with project engineers to provide necessary information pertaining to HVAC and plumbing. Reviews or directs the review of the mechanical features of scopes of work, plans, specifications and analyses of design, as submitted by contracted and/or in-house engineers for technical competency and approves such plans, specifications and analyses where the authority is The Fire Protection and Mechanical Engineering Branch. Responds to request for information from contractors. Contractor Oversight for Projects Serves as a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR), guiding and evaluating contractor efforts and assessing technical performance in relation to the established schedules and resources allotted. Reviews plans, specifications and cost estimates for adequacy. Reports progress and/or problems. Directs necessary changes, resolves controversial problems, ensures conformance to plans and specifications. Evaluates the compliance of contractor proposals with contract plans and specifications. Monitors contract specifications for progress and technical requirements. Assists in generating project bulletins and evaluating change orders. Project Management Accomplishes complex project management duties in participation with project teams and makes decisions affecting areas of accountability that are controversial. Serves as the technical authority (Project Manager and/or Task Leader) for HVAC, plumbing, Direct Digital Control (DDC) controls and conservation projects of major size and complexity. Reviews or directs the review of the mechanical features of plans, specifications and analyses of design for accuracy and technical competency, and approves with the scope of authority. Report and Documentation Gathers information and formulates mechanical engineering reports relating to significant issues and presents or explains the agency decisions in terms of policies and priorities.

Qualifications: You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at OPM qualification standards Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, 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. For the GS-11: Candidates for the GS-11 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-09) grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for the GS-11 position must demonstrate the following: Supporting project managers and assisting in the design of mechanical engineering projects focused on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, plumbing, energy and water conservation, Building Automation System (BAS), and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) for buildings and facilities. Preparing design documents and providing technical advice on the design, installation, testing, acquisition and evaluation efforts for mechanical systems and equipment for buildings and facilities. Serving as a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) or equivalent for mechanical engineering projects. --OR-- 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree: Major study in architecture, engineering, building construction, or other fields related to the position. --OR-- Combination of specialized experience and education. For the GS-12: Candidates for the GS-12 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-11) grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for the GS-12 position includes the following: Designing and/or leading mechanical engineering projects focused on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, plumbing, energy and water conservation, Building Automation System (BAS), and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) for buildings and facilities. Planning design work, developing requirements and providing technical advice on the design, installation, testing, acquisition and evaluation efforts for mechanical systems and equipment for buildings and facilities. Serving as a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) or equivalent and/or performing contract/construction administration to ensure adequate oversight of contractor performance for mechanical engineering projects.

How to Apply: You MUST apply online. FORMS RECEIVED BY FAX, EMAIL OR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. If you are a new user to the USAJOBS Site and have never registered for an account; you will first need to create an account profile with your basic contact information and a resume to begin applying. You must be a registered USAJOBS user AND you must be signed-in to your account in order to apply for this position. For help with setting up an account or for general assistance in using USAJOBS, go to USAJOBS Help Page. NEED HELP? If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! If you have problems completing your on-line application, contact the Monster Hiring Management Help Desk at 1-866-656-6831 or by e-mail at MGSHELP@monster.com. The help desk is available Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You may call and leave a voice mail message at all other times. All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS “Saved Documents” feature. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may visit our Employment Center for technical assistance in entering your application. The Employment Center is located at 441 Second & D Streets S.W., Washington, D.C., Room H2-178, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may call (202) 226-7000 for directions.

Application Deadline: 2026-02-03