Engineering Technician (Materials)

QUALIFICATIONS

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, the HR Office must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - this information must be clearly supported in the resume.
To qualify at the GS-07, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-06 in Federal service. Specialized experience at this level is defined as: performing a variety of sampling and testing techniques for materials for a variety of construction activities, monitoring of contractor quality control testing for conformance to contract requirements, and reviewing material provisions of contract documents prior to contract advertisement; familiarity with scientific, engineering, or laboratory methods and techniques; documenting or recording scientific, engineering, or laboratory observations, results, methods, procedures, changes, or modifications; and handling and operating precision instruments, research equipment, or similar testing apparatus, OR 1 year of graduate level education leading to a Masters or equivalent graduate degree in a field directly related to the position such as construction management, civil, electrical, materials or mechanical engineering, OR an equivalent combination of experience and education.
To qualify at the GS-08, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-07 in Federal service. Specialized experience at this level is defined as: performing a variety of complex sampling and testing techniques for materials for a variety of construction activities, monitoring of contractor quality control testing for conformance to contract requirements, reviewing material provisions of contract documents prior to contract advertisement, and assists in identifying concrete, aggregate, soil, and asphalt material problems; selecting and applying scientific, engineering, or laboratory methods and techniques, including best laboratory practices and/or standard testing procedures; documenting and reporting results of research findings, including cursory analysis of data; and operating, maintaining, and calibrating precision instruments, research equipment, or similar testing apparatus, OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education or a master’s degree in a field directly related to the position such as construction management, civil, electrical, materials or mechanical engineering, OR an equivalent combination of experience and education.
To qualify at the GS-09, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-08 in Federal service. Specialized experience at this level is defined as: performing a variety of complex sampling and testing techniques for materials for a variety of construction activities, monitoring of contractor quality control testing for conformance to contract requirements, reviewing material provisions of contract documents prior to contract advertisement, and identifying and assisting in development of recommendation for concrete, aggregate, soil, and asphalt material problems, OR years of progressively higher level graduate education or a master’s degree in a field directly related to the position such as construction management, civil, electrical, materials or mechanical engineering, OR an equivalent combination of experience and education.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors if applicable, by 10/25/2023.

EDUCATION

This vacancy announcement allows substituting education for experience. You must submit a copy of college transcript(s) (unofficial copy is acceptable) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not-qualified for the position.
Accreditation: Only education from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education is acceptable to meet education requirements or to substitute for experience, if applicable. For additional info, refer to the Office of Personnel Management and U.S. Department of Education.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For additional info, refer to the U.S. Network for Education Information.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

Applications (resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documentation) for this vacancy MUST be received online BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, DC time) on 10/25/2023. To apply, click the blue APPLY ONLINE button at the top of the page.
Do not submit photographs with the application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - applicant must remove any images from badges, licenses, etc.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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DUTIES

• Studies contract plans and specifications, design memorandums, etc., pertaining to testing and control of earthwork and related materials to detect and resolve potential conflicts or problems; and to maintain a thorough familiarity with assigned construction project requirements.
• Inspects contractor material operations and remedies and/or reports instances of non-compliance to Construction Representative/Resident Engineer and Laboratory Chief.
• Inspects Concrete and Aggregate Production Facilities. Inspects construction plant activities at various work sites to assure work is completed in accordance with contract plans and specifications.
• Collects samples and determines aggregate gradation, moisture, absorption, and specific gravity. Inspects equipment, including mixer efficiencies, scale and flowmeter accuracy.
• Tests fresh concrete including temperature, slump, air content, and unit weight. Produces specimens for compressive strength testing.
• Reviews testing procedures and analyzes test results to verify adequacy of test, to assure acceptability of the work product and to detect and resolve failures in materials or equipment operations.
• Recommends appropriate remedial action necessary to correct inequities and recommends changes to assure conformity with contract specifications.
• Maintains and calibrates earth and concrete testing equipment used in the laboratory and field including scales, compactors, sieves, compression testing machine, gauges, and meters.
• Prepares reports of test results and includes in daily, periodic, and final reports.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide to the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Materials Engineering
• Quality Assurance
• Writin