Summary

Serves as the Assistant Chief Engineer, supporting all engineering programs at a VA Medical Center. Oversees maintenance, utilities, safety, energy management, construction, and capital planning. Provides technical leadership, ensures regulatory compliance, manages personnel and budgets, and integrates engineering operations into the medical center's mission.

Duties

The Assistant Chief must be competent in many aspects of managing VHA Healthcare Facility Engineering Programs including Interdisciplinary Engineering Coordination and Integration; Facility Maintenance and Operations Management; Construction Development, Management, and Oversight; Healthcare Facility Engineering Program Administration; Healthcare Regulatory, Safety, and Accreditation Compliance; Strategic Planning; Technical Personnel Supervision; and VA Inter-Administration Stakeholder Collaboration.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Serves as the full Deputy and Assistant Chief Engineer, acting with full authority in the absence of the Chief Engineer and providing managerial and technical leadership for all Engineering Service programs.
• Manages and oversees professional engineering programs including Maintenance and Repair, Utility Plant Operations, Energy Management and Conservation, Safety, Fire Prevention, Industrial Hygiene, Emergency Preparedness, Vehicle Fleet, Grounds, Capital Planning, and Construction Project Management.
• Plans, organizes, directs, evaluates, and manages Engineering Service operations, establishing qualitative and quantitative standards and integrating engineering programs into the medical center's mission and strategic objectives.
• Provides authoritative technical advice on engineering matters, collaborating with Executive Leadership, clinical staff, VISN Capital and Energy Engineers, VACO leadership, and national committees on engineering issues, strategic capital planning, and infrastructure requirements.
• Oversees Joint Commission Environment of Care Programs, ensuring compliance with Utility Systems Management, Life Safety, Safety, and Medical Equipment Management requirements for the Medical Center and all CBOCs.
• Administers human resources programs for Engineering Service, including workforce planning, succession planning, hiring, performance management, disciplinary actions, and labor/management relations.
• Provides budget formulation, justification, execution, and financial management for Engineering Service, advising senior management and negotiating adjustments or reprogramming related to major program changes.
• Conducts research and analysis on engineering programs, regulatory requirements, national codes (NFPA, OSHA, TJC, EPA, CDC, NIOSH), and emerging initiatives, developing policies, procedures, and administrative guidance to ensure compliance.
• Leads construction administration activities including capital improvement program development, space planning, renovation oversight, technical reviews, cost estimating, contractor coordination, and compliance with VA CFM, AIA, FGI, ASHRAE, and USP 797/800 standards.
• Provides professional supervision and mentorship to engineers, architects, project managers, technicians, and other engineering personnel; oversees review of plans, specifications, and engineering analyses.
• Develops long-range strategic plans for facility infrastructure and physical plant needs, ensuring alignment with Strategic Capital Investment Planning (SCIP) objectives and VISN/department priorities.
• Ensures compliance with all accrediting, regulatory, and environmental requirements including OSHA, EPA, FDA, and Joint Commission; manages safety programs, life safety initiatives, and risk identification for complex utility systems.
• Directs administrative management functions, including policy interpretation, development of local procedures, administrative requirements for Engineering Service operations, and preparation of reports and materials for senior leadership review.
• Plans and executes special projects, national/regional initiatives, and cross-agency activities; develops training priorities, administers training programs, and provides instruction as needed.
• Maintains effective working relationships with local government agencies, labor unions, professional societies, affiliated universities, research organizations, and national VA program offices.

Work Schedule

Monday- Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm

Telework

This is not a virtual position.

Requirements

Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Financial Disclosure Required. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.