Electrical Engineer

About the role

This vacancy is for a GS - 0850 - 14, Electrical Engineer located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, USCG MARINE SAFETY CENTER in WASHINGTON, District of Columbia.

What you will do

• You will serve as an Electrical Engineer and be responsible for serving as an expert in shipboard electrical systems and equipment, including automation systems, electrical controls, artificial intelligence controls and dynamic positioning systems.
• Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team.
• Typical work assignments include: Serving as the lead coordinating engineer for new construction and modifications of vessels and offshore platforms, which consists of analyzing separate functional systems and details of interconnecting parts.
• Conducting comprehensive analysis of complex, advanced systems requiring application of new and emerging engineering principles to evaluate alternative compliance strategies.
• Drafting written correspondence to ship owners and operators, engineering consultants, equipment manufacturers, ship builders, Coast Guard field units and the Commandant.
• Analyzing designs and operational complexities requiring redundant support systems for the safe operation of various automated machineries for vital propulsion and auxiliary systems.
• Evaluating proposed test procedures which demonstrate systems comply with the qualitative failure analysis and the systems are in accordance with the requirements of 46 CFR Parts 58 and 62.
• Training other branch and division engineers in the electrical aspects of vessel systems.
• Completing independent quality assurance reviews of plan review activity delegated to 'Authorized Classification Societies'(ACS) such as American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Det Norske Veritas (DNV), and Lloyds Register (LR) for the purpose of auditing their performance.
• Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.
• Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.
• Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.
• If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision.
• You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement.
• To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
• Reasonable Accommodation Information

Requirements

• All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume: Social Security Number (SSN) Date of Birth (DOB) Photos of yourself (if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position) Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Key Requirements: Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service.
• See *** A one-year probationary period may be required.
• To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy.
• To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.
• Transcripts required at time of application.
• The Office of Personnel management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.
• If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule, C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

This position does have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail.

Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected & prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. (see FOREIGN EDUCATION below).

College Transcript: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration.

Transcripts should be legible and detailed, showing course number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned.

If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States.

To receive this credit, you must submit evidence of equivalency as provided by a credentialling evaluation service. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Student Loan: Selectee(s) for this position who are newly appointed to a permanent or term position may be eligible for student loan repayment up to $10,000 (pre-tax) for one calendar year. More than one loan may be repaid if the combined repayments do not exceed $10,000. Receipt of this incentive will require a three-year service agreement.

How you will be evaluated

We will review your resume & supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education & training, along with any applicable assessments, will be rated to place you in one of three categories.

The necessary Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities to perform this job are: Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: *** he USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies.

You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered.

You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications &/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories: Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position & demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF) & appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.

Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position & demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs & appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.

Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position & demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs & appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis. If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration & may be called for an interview.

Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. (This position is considered scientific/professional.).

Other 10-point preference eligibles & veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility & qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation.

CTAP & ICTAP Eligibles: CTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position.

If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service & 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. Individuals must be well-qualified. Information about CTAP & ICTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website

Documents you must provide

• Limit your resume to no more than two pages.
• The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
• You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable.
• Resume showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education, and training.
• Include start and end dates (mm/yy to mm/yy) and number of hours per week worked/volunteered.
• For additional information on your resume, see How to Apply.
• Your responses to any applicable assessments.
• Are you qualifying based on education?
• Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution.
• Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript.
• Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States.
• In order to receive this credit, you must submit evidence of equivalency as provided by a credentialling evaluation service.
• It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application.
• See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications Veterans' preference documentation (All DD-214s MUST be a signed, legible copy showing character of service and lost time, typically Member 4 or Service copy), SF-15 & VA letter, if applicable.
• NOTE: The revised Oct 2013 SF-15 is the latest copy & all others are not usable.
• Please see Feds Hire Vets for detail.
• Veterans claiming 5 point veterans' preference must submit DD214(s) as detailed above.
• 30% Disabled Veterans must submit their DD-214(s) as detailed above, & VA Disability Letter with percentage of disability OR documentation of disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.
• Other 10 point Preference Eligibles must submit DD-214(s) as detailed above, & provide documentation of 10 point preference described on the back of the SF-15.
• If you are a current active duty military member who does not have a DD214 & is claiming eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces indicating you will be discharged/released from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days from the date you submit your certification as part of your application for this announcement.
• See the "How to Apply" section of this announcement for information on specific requirements for VOW certifications.
• Political Appointees: OPM must authorize employment offers for former or current Political Appointees.
• If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information.
• Submit proof of your former or current status, such as your SF-50.
• CTAP & ICTAP applicants MUST submit documentation verifying your eligibility.
• This includes a copy of your agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, most recent SF-50-Notification of Personnel Action noting your current position, grade level and duty location, and documentation from your agency showing your current promotion potential.
• View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.
• Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.

Benefits

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.

Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities.

For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

What to expect next

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process.

To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.

Any Offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Recruitment incentives may be authorized.

Additional information

E-Verify DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Fair Chance Act The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment.

In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to ***.

Suitability Statement If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty.

False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Shared Certificates Statement Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Special Employment Consideration The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707.

Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs.

To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Moving expenses will be paid in accordance with appropriate regulations. If you are unable to apply online, please contact ***.

Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.