Civil Engineer

About the role

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel in the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: This is a civil engineer developmental position. Applicant may be hired at any grade level at GS-7/9/11 or 12.

Performs estimating/drafting/designing work for the Engineering Division, Design Branch, of the Directorate of Public Works.

What you will do

• Serve as a senior civil engineer and subject-matter expert (SME) within DPW, responsible for planning, designing, and overseeing highly complex, mission-critical DoD construction and infrastructure projects.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams (civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, architectural) while coordinating design integration across DPW Divisions and external partners such as USACE and AE firms.
• Develop engineering solutions for unique military facility requirements where UFC guidance must be adapted, augmented, or engineered from first principles due to complexity or mission sensitivity.
• Provide authoritative technical review, quality assurance, and engineering approval of civil engineering design plans and environmental permit applications prior to formal submission to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).
• Direct the specialized infrastructure safety and inspection program, managing scheduled bridge, rail, airfield, and dam inspections; evaluates highly complex inspection findings to prioritize repair, modernization, and funding strategies.
• Provide expert technical review and approval of AE designs, ensuring compliance with DoD engineering criteria, antiterrorism/force protection (AT/FP) standards, environmental requirements, and installation master plans.
• Senior DPW project manager or COR for high-visibility Military Construction, Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization, or OM projects, managing technical execution, contractor performance, schedules, budgets, and risk.
• Advise installation leadership on infrastructure health, long-range facility planning, investment strategies, and engineering policy recommendations, often representing DPW during command briefings.
• Resolve high-impact engineering, contractual, and funding issues, ensuring project continuity and compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and DoD guidance.
• Provide authoritative guidance to engineers, technicians, and contracting staff, shaping DPW engineering practices, standards, and design procedures.
• Here and below at the GS-11• Serve as a DPW design engineer responsible for full-scope civil/structural engineering design, including criteria development, detailed calculations, complete drawings, specifications, and IGEs Conduct complex engineering analyses of existing DoD facilities, including load capacity assessments, foundation evaluations, geotechnical reviews, and utility impacts Develop design packages that integrate structural, civil, utilities, and life-safety requirements according to UFC, UFGS, IBC, National Electrical Code, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, ADA, and DoD installation design guides Review civil engineering design plans and specifications for regulatory compliance, and prepares, coordinates, and packages submittals for review and permit approval by the Maryland Department of the Environment and other external regulatory bodies Coordinate/oversee specialized infrastructure inspection programs including bridge, rail, airfield pavements, and dam inspections ensuring structural safety standards are met, inspections comply with DoD, Army, and federal regulatory reporting cycles Manage assigned construction projects as DPW’s technical representative, resolving engineering issues, clarifying design intent, and coordinating with contractors and USACE as required.
• Review AE final designs, resolving discrepancies and ensuring alignment with mission requirements, installation development plans, and DPW engineering policies.
• Provide technical support to DPW Operations Division by troubleshooting complex facility issues such as drainage failures, structural degradation, utility conflicts, or soil/foundation problems.
• Mentor junior engineers and engineering technicians, providing technical direction on DPW design processes, UFC implementation, and engineering decision-making.
• Prepare engineering justifications and documentation required for project approval by installation leadership, Garrison staff, USACE district offices, or State authorities.
• GS-9 and GS-7 see Benefits section.

Education

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR THE GS-09 GRADE LEVEL: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: Conduct structural or site civil inspections and prepare draft inspection summaries for review.; 2) Prepare draft specifications and design details for renovation of repair projects.; 3) Monitor small portions of construction work to document progress and identify obvious deviations from plans.; and 4) Review contract submittals for completeness and compliance with basic requirements.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as engineering OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add two percentages.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: Conduct structural or site civil inspections of various facilities to identify deficiencies, prepare inspection reports, and provide solutions.; 2) Prepare engineering drawings, design calculations, and technical specifications.; 3) Perform engineering studies to support new construction, renovation, and repair projects., and 4) Support contract administration by reviewing technical submittals, evaluating contractor performance and reporting issues to the COR.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

OR Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: engineering.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12.

Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add two percentages. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Provide project planning, design, and contract oversight.

2) Independently plan and conduct structural or site civil inspections for facilities and prepare official inspection reports. 3) Prepare and/or review engineering designs, specifications, calculations and cost estimates for projects. and 4) Conduct construction inspections, resolve field design issues, and ensure adherence to structural standards and contract requirements.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service GS-11. Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify.

For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

For further information, visit: ***

How you will be evaluated

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicants will receive preference consideration at the full-performance grade level only. Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP).

If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position.

To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above.

Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website

Documents you must provide

• The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment.
• A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.
• As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply.
• If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
• Your resume: Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
• Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
• For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement.
• If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
• Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood.
• The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
• If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
• For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume.
• Other supporting documents: Cover Letter, optional Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable This position has an individual occupational requirement and/or allows for substitution of education for experience.
• If you meet this requirement based on education you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible.
• See: Transcripts and Licenses This position requires a job-related license or certification.
• You MUST submit a copy of your license or certification with your application package or you will be rated ineligible.
• See: Transcripts and Licenses NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office.
• Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you.
• You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application.
• You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

Benefits

DUTIES AT THE GS-0810-09 GRADE LEVEL Independently performs civil and structural engineering tasks for DPW O&M and minor construction projects, preparing portions of design analyses, plans, and specifications. Conducts engineering evaluations of facility components (e.g., structural systems, pavements, utilities) to assess condition and recommend repair or modification options.

Supports specialized infrastructure inspection programs (bridge, rail, airfield, and dam inspections) by coordinating scheduled site access with operations staff, compiling historical inspection reports, and documenting newly identified deficiencies. Supports DPW project development by preparing design packages for in-house execution or architect-engineer (AE) contracts.

DUTIES AT THE GS-0810-07 GRADE LEVEL Assists DPW engineers by gathering field data, performing basic civil/structural calculations, and preparing preliminary CADD drawings or markups. Supports routine facility inspections, documenting existing conditions of buildings, pavements, grounds, and utility systems for use in planning and design.

Assists senior engineers during specialized inspections of installation infrastructure (including bridges, rail assets, airfield pavements, and dams) by taking field measurements, capturing photographs, and recording notes on structural conditions.

What to expect next

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking (as applicable) for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.

Additional information

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.

You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.

This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest. Direct Deposit of Pay is required.

This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.

If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a Construction Engineering, Infrastructure Career Field position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit *** for more information.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.

The following special programs/incentives MAY be offered if it is appropriate to the position being filled and in the best interest of the government: Recruitment Incentives Relocation Incentives Student Loan Repayment Salary negotiations for those candidates who are new to Federal service may be authorized.

Credit for prior non-federal work experience and certain military service for determining annual leave accrual rate may be authorized.