Job Description

The Civil Engineer shall have education/experience in one of the following specialties or disciplines as requested by the program office: structural and/or blast engineering. The Contractor provides a wide range of professional engineering services and technical consultation to OBO management, other professionals, and contractors engaged to carry out OBO projects in all aspects of the design and construction of effective facilities as well as portfolio risk management for the global diplomatic portfolio. The contractor performs tasks and assignments that include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Works closely with assigned design manager in OBO on the design of a specific engineering construction project, to ensure timely and correct technical information is available to OBO leadership.
• Reviews and comments on drawings, calculations, and specifications related to structural and/or blast engineering, including design proposals suggested by tenant agencies as well as other federal agencies whose requirements impact DOS facilities. Coordinates review comments with contract architects and engineers.
• Serves as a focal point on the structural and/or blast engineering design of specific projects; provides comprehensive structural and/or blast engineering advice and assistance during the design phase of projects; consults with architects, contract engineers, and others during project design, advising them on established Department of State (DOS) design criteria and specific design problems caused by the world-wide variety of natural hazard risks, local skill levels in various locations, availability of local utilities, and other major problems which arise from and directly impact the accomplishment of OBO design and construction activities;
• Provides a wide variety of expert professional structural and/or blast engineering advice and assistance, including (a) initiation and review of due diligence efforts at new or existing building sites; (b) review of submittals and requests for information (RFIs) during the construction phase; (c) participation in the planning phase of projects; (d) review of structural and/or blast engineering aspects for maintenance and repair proposals; (e) participation in scope definition, design, and review of OBO proposed projects including new construction and building renovations; (f) review and consultation regarding structural and/or blast engineering aspects of buildings to be purchased or leased by OBO to ensure compliance with OBO criteria and/or general risk awareness; and (g) representing OBO on technical structural and/or blast engineering matters on interagency committees relating to OBO activities;

• Travels to domestic and overseas sites, as required, to perform required tasks.
• Serves as a consultant to post management regarding buildings and sites that have been damaged by natural hazards, explosions, erosion, or settlement.
• Working knowledge of architecture and related engineering fields.
• Ability to independently conduct and/or coordinate in-house studies, designs, and evaluations in areas of structural and/or blast engineering. This will include data collection and management, and analysis, data visualization as well as cost estimating.
• Remains abreast of new technology resulting from state-of-the-art conferences and symposia and makes recommendations for incorporating new technologies into the application and standards used by OBO.
• Provides input, analysis, advice, and recommendations to DE Code Officials for the design and construction of government facilities and assists in adjudicating discrepancies in the interpretation of the Code.
• Advises Department stakeholders on matters related to risk management.
• Develops and ensures the applicability of current engineering criteria (OBO guidelines for agency-wide use) relating to the structural and/or blast engineering design of buildings; serves as an OBO authority on structural and/or blast engineering standards; and assists the Office of Facility Management in establishing criteria and standards governing structural and/or blast engineering aspects of facility operations, maintenance, and repair; and,
• In response to inquiries from public, media, or elected representatives, contractor drafts statements, interpretations, or clarifications of United States Government policy, criteria, or procedures associated with the structural and/or blast engineering aspects of OBO projects.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.

• Mastery of the applicable theories, principles, practices, and methodologies of structural and/or blast engineering; including applicable engineering codes, statutes, and regulations sufficient to apply new developments and theories to critical and novel problems not readily resolved through accepted conventional methods. Ability to solve a variety of problems and to make decisions that significantly affect the content, interpretation, or development of major policies or programs concerning a complex federal design and construction program and global portfolio risk management. Ability to render expert level advice and assistance to OBO and Department management officials, fellow professionals within and outside of government, and contract personnel at all organizational levels.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of related architecture and engineering fields, such as mechanical and electrical engineering, sufficient to effectively consult, interface, and partner with fellow professionals engaged in related aspects of assigned projects.
• Ability to interpret plans and specifications, as needed, for a variety of large and complex building projects, and to investigate changes in design specifications, construction and materials proposed by contractors or others to accommodate changed conditions at construction sites.
• Ability to understand engineering practices in foreign countries, as needed, including knowledge of local building codes, to ensure that OBO projects are designed and built to OBO standards while adhering to host country requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, on complex, controversial, and time-sensitive matters, to diverse audiences at all levels of expertise and authority, both within and outside of government.

Other Duties: 
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.