Exciting Career Opportunity: Engineering Technician (GS-11) with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Charleston, SC

Are you an experienced engineering technical specialist with expertise in computer-aided design (CAD), facility documentation, and construction contract oversight? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), specifically the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Engineering Service in Charleston, South Carolina, is seeking a qualified Engineering Technician to manage facilities record systems and supervise vital construction projects.

Offering a competitive salary range of $74,678 to $97,087 annually, this position places you at the heart of healthcare infrastructure modernization for America’s Veterans. Read on to explore the role's responsibilities, key requirements, salary structure, application guidelines, and valuable tips to position yourself for success.

About the Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs operates under a sacred mission inspired by President Abraham Lincoln: "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors."

Within the VA, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is America's largest integrated healthcare network, providing comprehensive medical care to millions of Veterans nationwide. The Engineering Service at the Ralph H. Johnson VA facility in Charleston, SC, ensures that hospital structures, utility distribution networks, specialized surgical suites, and outpatient clinics operate efficiently, safely, and seamlessly. Working here means your technical expertise directly impacts the safety and well-being of military Veterans.

Job Responsibilities and Key Duties

As an Engineering Technician (GS-11), you will report directly to a Supervisory General Engineer. You will enjoy substantial latitude to exercise personal initiative, professional judgment, and technical resourcefulness.

Your core responsibilities will bridge two main areas: Facilities Record Document Management and Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Project Administration.

Primary Duties Include:

CAD & As-Built Documentation: Prepare, update, and maintain comprehensive architectural, structural, civil, mechanical (HVAC), electrical, and plumbing engineering drawings using advanced CAD software (such as AutoCAD). Ensure facility databases reflect exact real-world field conditions.
Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Responsibilities: Serve as a certified COR on construction and architecture/engineering projects (typically valued up to or exceeding $100,000). Oversee contractor performance, schedule execution, and compliance with specifications.
Field Inspections & Measurement: Conduct thorough field visits, take precise measurements, inspect work quality, and verify materials and equipment used by commercial contractors.
Cost Estimating & Project Scoping: Perform feasibility assessments, prepare detailed Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCE), write technical scopes of work, and review project bidding documents.
Contract Administration & Invoice Validation: Review contractor submittals, shop drawings, and samples. Validate contractor invoices within five days of receipt, maintain audited contract files, and produce Quality Assurance Surveillance Program (QASP) reports.
Interdisciplinary Technical Support: Provide problem-solving support for complex utility and structural modifications across heating/cooling, gas supply, pneumatic control, and electrical safety systems.

Qualification Requirements

To be eligible for consideration at the GS-11 grade level, applicants must meet specific federal qualification criteria by the announcement closing date of November 16, 2026.

Minimum Requirements:

U.S. Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States.
Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in federal service.
- Qualifying Specialized Experience includes: Using CAD software for facility/building drawing maintenance (not individual machinery or small components); interpreting full facility floor plans, structural sections, and system elevations; applying building codes; and maintaining multi-discipline engineering databases.
Time-in-Grade (TIG): Current or former federal employees must demonstrate 52 weeks of service at the GS-09 level via appropriate Notice of Personnel Action documentation (SF-50).
Selective Service: Required registration for males born after December 31, 1959.
Health Requirements: Compliance with the VHA seasonal influenza vaccination program for healthcare facility personnel.
Assessments: Completion of the online USA Hire Competency-Based Assessment.

Note: Educational substitution is not permitted at the GS-11 grade level for this technical series.

Comparison Overview: General Engineering Support vs. COR Administration

To better understand the dual focus of this Engineering Technician role, review the structural division of duties below:

Function Aspect	Facilities Drafting & CAD Management	Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Duties
Core Focus	Architectural & MEP drawing updates	On-site construction contract compliance
Software & Tools	AutoCAD, Drawing File Databases, GIS	USA Staffing, IPPS Payment History, QASP Reports
Scope of Work	Full-building floor plans, elevations, sections	Contracts under and over $100k (A&E, Hazmat, Works)
Key Stakeholders	In-house Engineering staff, facility leadership	External contractors, Contracting Officers, Vendors
Primary Deliverables	Accurate as-built facility documentation	Certified invoices, field inspection logs, IGCE estimates

Salary Overview & Pay Scale

This position is classified under the Federal General Schedule pay system as a GS-11 position.

Base Salary Range: $74,678 – $97,087 per year.
Pay Interval: Per Annum (PA).
Promotion Potential: None (GS-11 is the full performance level for this position description).
Work Schedule: Full-time, standard day shift (Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM).
Telework: Ad-Hoc telework may be authorized subject to leadership approval.

Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized for this recruitment.

Federal Benefits & Workplace Culture

Working for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers exceptional stability, personal satisfaction, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your total health and financial future:

Comprehensive Healthcare: Choose from numerous high-quality health insurance plans under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, with vision and dental options.
Retirement Security: Dual-component retirement via the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% employer matching.
Paid Time Off: Earn annual leave based on length of service (starting at 13 days up to 26 days per year), 13 days of sick leave annually, and 11 paid federal holidays.
Leave Service Credit: Newly appointed federal workers may request credit for non-federal job-related experience to increase annual leave accrual rates prior to appointment.
Work Environment: Join a diverse, supportive, and inclusion-focused culture committed to dignity, teamwork, and excellence.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide & USAJobs Tips

To ensure your application package passes human resources screening and automated evaluations, follow these critical steps:

Step 1: Prepare Your Documentation

Gather your mandatory materials before starting your online application:

Detailed Federal Resume (Must adhere to the strict 2-page limit).
Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) verifying time-in-grade eligibility (if current/former federal employee).
DD-214 or Statement of Service (if claiming Veterans' Preference).
Form SF-15 and VA disability letter (if claiming 10-point preference).

Step 2: Complete the Online USAJOBS Application

Visit USAJOBS and log in to your account.
Upload your streamlined 2-page PDF resume and supporting documents.
Complete the online questionnaire prior to November 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.

Step 3: Complete USA Hire Competency Assessments

After submitting your application, you will receive an automated notification containing a unique access link to the USA Hire Assessment system.

Set aside up to 3 hours in a quiet environment to complete these standardized evaluations.
Competencies evaluated include Attention to Detail, Reasoning, Teamwork, Customer Service, Reading Comprehension, and Stress Tolerance.

🚨 CRITICAL RULE: Two-Page Resume Limit

Effective late 2025 under federal Merit Hiring regulations, federal agencies will strictly enforce a maximum two-page limit on resumes.

Resumes exceeding two pages will automatically cause your application to be marked ineligible.
Use concise, impact-driven bullet points.
Use standard formatting: 0.5-inch margins, sans-serif font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Lato), 10pt text size for body, and 14pt text size for section headers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I substitute my college degree for specialized experience?

No. Educational substitution is not authorized at the GS-11 grade level for the 0802 Engineering Technical series. You must prove one year of specialized experience.

Q: Does drafting work on mechanical parts or machinery count as qualifying experience?

No. The qualification criteria explicitly mandate that CAD drafting experience must pertain to entire buildings, facility structures, or architectural/civil/MEP systems. Component-only drafting will not qualify.

Q: How does telework work for this position?

This is an on-site position at the Charleston, SC VA facility. However, ad-hoc (situational) telework may be approved by leadership depending on job demands.

Q: What happens after I submit my application?

Once the job posting closes, HR reviews applications for eligibility. Qualified candidates will be placed on a referral certificate sent to the hiring manager, who may contact top candidates directly for interviews.

If you possess strong technical CAD expertise, construction inspection skills, and a desire to make a difference in healthcare infrastructure, the Engineering Technician position in Charleston, SC is an outstanding career path. Take the next step in your professional journey by preparing your two-page resume and submitting your application before November 16, 2026!

Why This Engineering Technician Job Matters

Serve America's Veterans while managing critical healthcare facility projects in historic Charleston, SC. Join the Veterans Health Administration as a GS-11 Engineering Technician!

Engineering Technician Job Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a qualified Engineering Technician (GS-11) to join the Engineering Service at the Veterans Health Administration in Charleston, South Carolina. In this role, you will provide vital technical support for facility records management and construction administration. Operating under the general supervision of a Supervisory General Engineer, you will serve as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) on infrastructure projects, maintain computer-aided design (CAD) facility drawings, and ensure structural and utility systems safely support healthcare operations for our nation's heroes.

Requirements for Engineering Technician

Must be a United States Citizen.
Must undergo a background check and security suitability investigation.
Must complete an online assessment (USA Hire Competency-Based Assessment).
Must comply with mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination requirements for VHA healthcare personnel.
Selective Service registration required for males born after December 31, 1959.
Must serve a 1-year probationary or 2-year trial period upon appointment.
Must possess a valid driver's license to operate government vehicles.
Must possess physical capability to access building crawlspaces, ceilings, and roofs when conducting field inspections.
Time-in-Grade requirement: Current or former federal employees must have completed at least 52 weeks at the GS-09 level (or equivalent).

Preferred Qualifications for Engineering Technician

Demonstrated experience using computer-aided design (CAD/AutoCAD) software to create, update, and maintain comprehensive architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing facility drawings.
Proven track record in interpreting detailed building floor plans, section elevations, and system layouts for entire facilities.
Knowledge and practical application of building codes, construction practices, and facility design standards.
Experience performing Contracting Officer Representative (COR) duties, including site inspections, cost estimation, layout verification, and invoice validation.
Ability to establish and maintain structured drawing databases and file structures for multi-disciplinary architectural and engineering projects.
Certification by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) is beneficial.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive federal salary under the General Schedule (GS-11 pay scale).
✓Comprehensive health benefits (FEHB), including dental and vision insurance coverage.
✓Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with agency matching contributions (similar to a 401k).
✓Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension plan.
✓Generous annual leave and sick leave accrual rates, with potential annual leave service credit for non-federal experience.
✓11 paid federal holidays per year.
✓Ad-hoc telework opportunities upon approval.
✓Stable work schedule (Monday through Friday, standard business hours).

💡 How to Apply Engineering Technician Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Engineering Technician Job

Review the complete announcement and gather all required supporting documents.
Click the official application link to create or log in to your USAJOBS account.
Ensure your federal resume adheres strictly to the 2-page limit requirement effective for federal applications.
Attach all required documents, such as your SF-50 (verifying time-in-grade), transcripts, DD-214 (if claiming Veterans' Preference), and certifications.
Complete the online questionnaire thoroughly before the closing date on November 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.
Follow the emailed link to complete the mandatory USA Hire online assessments, setting aside up to 3 hours for completion.
Track your application status and assessment completion directly through your USAJOBS profile dashboard.

💡 General Tips

Strictly follow the 2-page resume rule: Federal guidelines limit resumes to two pages. Any resume exceeding two pages will result in immediate disqualification.
Detail your time-in-grade accurately: Submit an SF-50 that clearly proves you have held a GS-09 position for at least 52 full weeks. Avoid using Award SF-50s as they do not show required tenure.
Highlight full facility drafting experience: Ensure your resume explicitly describes architectural/facility drafting rather than component/machinist drafting, as component-only experience will not qualify.
Prepare for USA Hire Assessments: Take practice modules available at the USA Hire Resource Center prior to taking the evaluated assessment.
Use PDF format: Upload your resume as a clean PDF formatted with standard sans-serif fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Lato) and 0.5-inch margins for optimal legibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pay scale and grade for this position?

This position is posted at the GS-11 level under the General Schedule, offering an annual salary range of $74,678 to $97,087.

Is education selectable as a substitute for experience at the GS-11 level?

No, there is no educational substitution permitted at the GS-11 grade level for this position. Qualification must be based on specialized work experience.

Can I work remotely or telework in this role?

This is not a virtual or fully remote job. However, ad-hoc telework may be authorized based on operational needs, which can be discussed during the interview process.

What is the deadline to submit an application?

Applications must be submitted via USAJOBS by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on November 16, 2026.

Are there specific physical requirements for this job?

While a pre-employment physical exam is not required, the position requires the physical capability to access building crawlspaces, ceilings, and roofs to perform field inspections.