Civil Engineer at Agriculture

This position is located in the State Office of Missouri, USDA-Rural Development (RD). The incumbent performs a variety of assignments requiring professional experience and technical competence in civil engineering activities, procedures, principles, techniques and evaluations utilized in the performance of supervised rural credit and development programs.

Major duties

• Advises and consults with private groups, public bodies and state and/or Federal agencies on the civil engineering aspects of projects financed by Rural Development loan and grant programs.
• Provides technical guidance for project eligibility and priority. Reviews planning documents/Preliminary Engineering Reports (PER) and completed analyses and recommendations regarding the technical merit of applications for funding.
• Reviews and concurs with Agreements for Engineering Services, construction project preliminary plans, drawings, designs, specifications and cost estimates.
• Assists staff in any technical or construction-related matters. Works with staff, applicant and consultants on the suitability of proposed PERs and other documents for application for funding/projects approved.
• Prepares State Office procedures for use by staff to carry out engineering and related program activities.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. In addition to meeting the basic requirement listed below in Education, qualified applicants must possess: For the GS-11 level: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates: Experience assisting in the review of construction project preliminary plans, drawings, designs, specifications and cost estimates; advising/consulting with private groups, public bodies and other agencies on civil or environmental engineering and architectural aspects of projects; assisting in providing advisory and technical services in the engineering, planning and design process for projects that may include single or multifamily housing, wastewater facilities, businesses, community facilities OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Equivalent combination of education and experience are qualifying at this grade level. For the GS-12 level: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 or its non-federal equivalent that demonstrates experience reviewing planning documents, Preliminary Engineering Reports (PER), completed analysis, and recommendations regarding the technical merit of applications for funding. Experience reviewing projects for modesty in size, cost, design, and compliance of the facility with federal, state, local laws, regulations, departmental funding policies, and cost-effective requirements. Oversee the establishment and maintenance of necessary engineering records, references, and working materials, as well as electronic project management and/or underwriting tools. There is no education substitution for the GS-12 grade level. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.