Jobs for People with MS: National MS Society

Summary Summary: The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Foreign Service Construction Engineering positions. Learn more about the Department of State and a career in the Foreign Service careers at https://careers.state.gov. There is more to joining the Foreign Service than just salary. Refer to the Benefits section for more information on total compensation. Responsibilities The following are typical duties, performed at various grade levels, in the course of a career as a Construction Engineer (CE). OVERSEAS ASSIGNMENTS Although specific assignments vary, most overseas assignments will involve the following major responsibility areas and example tasks: Project Direction and Coordination Establishes and manages field office. Administers contracts. Negotiates and liaise with host country. Oversees regional operations. Coordinates visitors and neighbors. Acts as liaison between post management and senior management. Project Management Manages project activities and schedules. Ensures proper inventory control. Manages claims. Manages records. Learns and uses information technology. Replaces contractors when necessary. Manages risk and balance competing priorities. Quality Assurance Approves quality programs. Ensures quality inspection. Ensures contractor’s work off-site is properly inspected. Hires and manages quality assurance staff. Approves testing laboratories. Ensures corrective actions take place. Ensures trades qualifications. Ensures material compliance with contract requirements. Financial Management Plans resource requirements. Manages budgets and financial controls. Approves contractor schedule of values. Approves progress payment requests. Prepares estimates. Evaluates impact of proposed project changes. Ensures financial controls. Controls costs. Safety Approves safety program. Ensures safety training and equipment. Monitors safety. Security Ensures security awareness and protection. Coordinates the management of security staff. Ensures document security. Preconstruction Performs design review. Performs constructability review. Evaluates host-country conditions. Commissioning and Close-Out Coordinates commissioning of systems. Coordinates close outs. Coordinates final inspections. Provides warranty support. Coordinates with the commissioning agent. Ensures hand-over of spare parts and materials. Coordinates schedule of other installation tasks. Ensures commissioning training. Supports transition from construction to operations. Participates in relocation. Ensures proper demobilization. Provides contractor performance ratings. DOMESTIC ASSIGNMENTS Although specific assignments vary, most overseas assignments will involve the following major responsibility areas and example tasks: Project Development Participates in design of new construction. Develops construction general requirements. Participates in planning. Recommends procurement and execution strategies. Informs project schedule and support requirements. Advocates for operability concerns. Ensures security management plans developed. Participates in technical evaluation panels to evaluate bids. Assists in prequalifying bidders. Provides guidance to contractors. Serves as construction subject matter expert. Project Support Coordinates construction projects team mobilization. Coordinates procurement. Coordinates with security. Travels to project sites. Makes recommendations to contracting officer. Prepares progress information. Provides temporary supervision of projects when needed. Administrative Support Performs administrative tasks to support overseas projects. Supports data management. Participates in recruiting and hiring. Receives training. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Some of the essential functions of the job have a physically demanding component. In the execution of the duties and tasks listed above, Construction Engineers MUST have the ability to: Work in confined areas such as crawl spaces, attics, utility pits, tunnels, utility access holes, and other confined spaces; Work from heights such as rooftops, ledges, scaffolding, including climbing extension ladders and scaffolding; Move and handle heavy objects (up to 50 pounds of weight) such as equipment, tools, and other building materials; See objects that are near, far, in color, or at night, possibly including depth perception; and Hear speech or other sounds, possibly including sufficient sensitivity to hear sounds of low volume or in noisy environments; Manage periodic work that requires regular and recurring periods of prolonged standing, bending, and stretching. Requirements Conditions of Employment Be a U.S. citizen and accept assignments based on the needs of the FS. Be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance. Be able to meet the minimum medical qualification standard. Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.* Be at least 20 years old to apply at least 21 years old to be appointed. Be appointed prior to age 60 (preference eligible veterans excepted).** The Department’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations’ (OBO) Office of Construction Management is responsible for managing the Department of State’s multi-billion-dollar portfolio of construction projects overseas. A Construction Engineer (CE) is a member of a U.S. government (USG) team that ensures construction is professionally performed according to applicable plans, specifications, schedules, and standards. The CE must adhere to the highest standards of integrity, dependability, attention to detail, teamwork and cooperation while accepting the need to travel, to live overseas, and when necessary, to live away from family. In addition to Education requirements, applicants MUST possess a minimum of: • Three years of Specialized Experience for consideration at FP-04 level • Five years of Specialized Experience for consideration at FP-03 level Qualifications Specialized Experience: Specialized experience demonstrates that the applicant has acquired, and is able to apply, a combination of specific knowledge, skills, and abilities appropriate to a Foreign Service Construction Engineer position. Specialized Experience MUST show that applicants have an in-depth knowledge of their field and can perform engineering or architectural duties related to construction at Department of State projects in varying locations and conditions. Applicants MUST demonstrate that their job-related experience has been at progressively increasing levels of performance and responsibility through such indicators as promotions, raises, increases in duties and responsibilities, and organizational and employee impact. Specialized experience MUST have been obtained through assignments to field sites on vertical construction projects. Vertical construction projects include, but are not limited to: Multi-story buildings; Large-scale residential and commercial developments; and Warehouses. At the time of application, applicants MUST possess at least three years’ Specialized Experience in the last 10 years, working in the field on major vertical construction projects, to be considered for this position. Applicants who have a Master of Architecture or Master of Engineering in one of the disciplines listed under Education and from a program meeting the accreditation requirements, in addition to possessing a qualifying Bachelor of Science degree in the majors listed under Education, qualify to substitute the Master’s degree for one year of Specialized Experience toward satisfying the minimum requirement for Specialized Experience. Transcripts for both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees must be submitted with the application. Examples of Specialized Experience include, but are not limited to: Reviewing, interpreting, and checking construction drawings, architectural plans, engineering drawings, and other specifications to ensure compliance, recognize errors, ambiguities, or omissions and provide corrective recommendations. Inspecting construction techniques, procedures, standards, and materials to ensure construction is performed in accordance with applicable plans and specifications. Applying quality control and quality assurance practices and procedures to construction projects and applying test procedures and equipment. Applying safety practices and procedures to construction projects. Developing and applying construction scheduling techniques, monitoring project progress, identifying causes for delays, and developing and taking corrective action. Managing financial elements of a construction project, such as monitoring construction project costs, reviewing and certifying contractor requests for progress payments, forecasting total construction costs, and managing budgets. Analyzing and negotiating pending contract change orders, potential or actual claims, and acceptable cost and time settlements. Applying computer software to construction project management and fiscal control. Recognizing impending problems, developing options for action, and recommending solutions. Preparing and delivering presentations and reports on project status and recommendations. Demonstrating effective verbal and written communications skills with technical and non-technical personnel. Displaying effective leadership, team building and consensus building skills with colleagues, supervisors, and subordinates. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES (KSAs) The applicant’s experience, education, and training MUST show that they have an in-depth knowledge of their field and possess the knowledge, skills and abilities appropriate to this Foreign Service position. The applicant MUST have the ability to: Knowledge Knowledge of engineering principles and practices. Knowledge of building and construction. Knowledge of vertical construction. Knowledge of design. Knowledge of architectural and engineering drawings. Knowledge of emerging technologies and industry trends. Knowledge of construction tools and equipment. Knowledge of construction costs. Knowledge of construction safety practices and procedures. Knowledge of project management principles. Knowledge of scheduling. Knowledge of risk management. Knowledge of statements of work. Knowledge of commissioning. Knowledge of administration and management. Knowledge of budget management. Knowledge of computers. Knowledge of mathematics. Skills Skill in writing statements of work. Skill in producing and reading architectural and engineering drawings. Skill in administering contracts. Skill in establishing procedures. Skill in project management. Skill in time management. Skill in resource management. Skill in risk analysis. Skill in leadership and staff supervision. Skill in motivating employees and others. Skill in managing laterally and upward. Skill in personnel evaluating and interviewing. Skill in interpersonal relationships. Skill in building relationships. Skill in providing customer service. Skill in working with others with diverse backgrounds. Skill in leading a multinational workgroup. Skill in running meetings. Skill in teamwork. Skill in coordination with external stakeholders. Skill in critical thinking. Skill in creative problem solving. Skill in decision making. Skill in written communication. Skill in reporting. Skill in oral communication. Skill in active listening. Skill in negotiation. Skill in computer technology. Skill in knowledge management. Skill in data analysis. Skill in research. Skill in being adaptable and resilient. Skill in self-development. Other Requirements Cross-cultural interest. Tolerance for working overseas. Tolerance of varying work environments. Acceptance of assignments based on the needs of the Foreign Service. Tolerance of living away from family. Continuous learning. Accountability. Attention to detail. Dependability. Integrity. Willingness to perform other duties. Education At the time of applications, applicants must possess one of the following: Bachelor of Science from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) in one of the following: Civil/Structural Engineering Construction Engineering Technologies Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Architectural Engineering Bachelor of Architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB); or Master of Architecture from a program accredited by NAAB. Applicants MUST submit a copy of their university transcript(s) with their application. You must submit a copy of your university transcript(s) with your application. If you do not submit this documentation to demonstrate your educational achievements, your candidacy will not continue. Please see the Required Documents section for additional required attachments. Official or unofficial transcripts may be submitted with your application. Your transcript must include your name, the school’s name, the degree and date awarded, and have no missing pages. A transcript missing any of these elements will not pass the minimum qualifications and the candidacy will not continue. Copies of diplomas may not be submitted in lieu of transcripts for education above high school level. PDF documents are required; illegible documents will not be accepted. Documents sent via link will not be accepted. Education from a program or institution within the United States must be accredited at the time of program completion by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation. Foreign Education Education completed in foreign high schools, colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Only accredited organizations recognized as specializing in the interpretation of foreign education credentials that are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) are accepted. If documentation from an accredited organization is not provided, your candidacy will not continue. Applicants must also hold a current engineering license from a U.S. State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Applicants must submit a copy of their current license to demonstrate this requirement for their candidacy to be considered. Expired licenses will not be accepted. OR A foreign architectural degree must have been evaluated by the National Architectural Accrediting Board's Education Evaluation Services for Architects, and found to be legitimate and comparable to that expected of a candidate with U.S. credentials. Applicants must provide a copy of the letter issued by NAAB that indicates the education standards have been met. This documentation must be included in your application for your candidacy to be considered. Applicants also must hold a current professional architecture or engineering license from a U.S. State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Applicants must submit a copy of their current license to demonstrate this requirement for their candidacy to be considered. Expired licenses will not be accepted. NACES: https://www.naces.org/index AICE: https://aice-eval.org/ For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, please refer to the Office of Personnel Management and the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Department of State neither endorses nor recommends any individual evaluation service. OPM: www.opm.gov U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov Additional Information *EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) – Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required. U.S. law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the U.S. – either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee’s information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated. The Department of State Suitability Review Panel and standards are defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more information please visit: https://fam.state.gov/ *For more information about Veteran’s Preference and how it is applied in the selection process, please visit: https://careers.state.gov/faq-items/are-veterans-given-hiring-preference/. No applicant will be considered who has previously been separated from the Foreign Service under sections §607, §608, §610 or §611 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu of separation under these provisions. In addition, no applicant will be considered who has previously been separated for failure to receive a career appointment under section §306 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu thereof. A Foreign Service Specialist separated for failure to receive a career appointment under section 306 may not re-apply to be a Foreign Service Specialist in the same skill code but may apply for another skill code or to be a Foreign Service Generalist. Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 US Code 3303 as amended from accepting or considering prohibited political recommendations and are required to return any prohibited political recommendations to sender. In addition, as mandated by 5 US Code 3110, relatives of federal employees cannot be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities. It is the policy of the Federal Government to treat all employees with dignity and respect and to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination whether discrimination is based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity or pregnancy), national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, age, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors. The Department of State provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Procedures vary by test type, and all candidates must request reasonable accommodations in advance. For more information visit https://careers.state.gov/faq-items/what-is-the-assessment-centers-policy-on-reasonable-accommodations-for-persons-with-disabilities-or-those-who-have-medical-conditions-or-other-needs-such-as-the-use-of-medical-devices-or-acc/.