Healthcare Engineer

This position serves the VA Connecticut Healthcare System (VACT) Facilities team as a Healthcare Engineer supporting design and construction at our medical centers and Community Based Outpatient Clinics. We are seeking Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical engineers, from recent graduates to experienced professionals, to plan, design, and manage Minor Construction, Non-Recurring Maintenance, Station Level, and Lease projects that serve Veterans. The positions are full-time at 40 hours per week. Major duties: This facilities position manages healthcare design and construction projects from concept through closeout. Duties include developing scopes of work, designs, and cost estimates; managing Architect/Engineer firms and reviewing drawings and specifications for compliance with VA standards, NFPA, OSHA, and Joint Commission requirements; and administering construction contracts as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). Engineers inspect work, review submittals and change orders, resolve field issues, and coordinate phasing, infection control, and utility shutdowns so patient care continues uninterrupted. Entry-level engineers work under close supervision while developing their skills; experienced engineers lead Integrated Project Teams and manage projects independently. Engineers obtain and maintain COR, OSHA competent person, and infection control certifications as required by the position. Major Duties & Responsibilities are as follows but not limited to: Plan, design, and oversee major healthcare system projects for VA-owned and leased facilities. Oversee Architecture/Engineering (A/E) and Construction contracts to ensure contractors meet all contractual requirements, codes, regulations, specifications, and schedules. Provide engineering support across the healthcare system, including maintaining construction specifications, drawings, and a technical reference library of codes and standards (OSHA, NFPA, ANSI, etc.). Serve as healthcare engineering advisor, consultant, designer, contract administrator, project manager, construction coordinator, and instructor throughout project design and construction. Perform duties as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for professional design and construction projects. Serve as Chairperson of the Integrated Project Team (IPT), leading multidisciplinary teams and contributing to strategic planning and decision-making. Maintain COR certification for administration of Facility Engineering Service's A/E and Construction contracts. Perform construction management and post-project activities while ensuring continuity of building and utility services for ongoing medical operations. Communicate technical information effectively to various individuals, including technical and clinical personnel. Interprets and applies TJC requirements, NFPA 101, NFPA 99, and VA standards; provides direction to A/E firms for complex healthcare designs. Resolves design conflicts and construction challenges to prevent schedule delays and cost impacts. Reviews A/E documentation (NRM, Minor, Leased projects) for technical quality, healthcare code compliance, and consistency with VA standards. Provides recommendations and alternatives to achieve project goals within engineering standards and budget constraints. Reviews contractor submittals, manages change order requests, ensures compliance with drawings/specifications, and enforces safety practices. Coordinates construction work within an active healthcare environment to maintain patient safety and uninterrupted operations.. Develops reports for supervisory review. Directs contractor activities within the medical facility, approving means and methods to protect patients and staff. Trains and guides contractors in working safely within medical environments, addressing infection control, fire safety, dust/noise/vibration mitigation. Applies advanced knowledge of Infection Control risk assessments and containment requirements. Ensures safe work practices during lead/asbestos abatement or hazardous materials operations. Manages construction schedules, layouts, inspections, and quality assurance activities. Prepares cost estimates, reports, schedules, and technical documents for construction projects. Resolves complex construction problems and latent defects; develops and issues revised drawings/specifications. Provides expert engineering advice to administrators and managers on complex construction challenges. This is an Open Continuous Announcement Until 01/04/2026. Qualified applicants will be referred every other week starting 11/18/2026, until closing of announcement or until positions are filled. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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. Telework: Ad-Hoc. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F04801, F04802, F04803, F04774. Requirements: 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.