Engineeers

General Engineering

GS-0801

Position Overview

General engineers at DOI apply their technical expertise to work on or oversee a wide variety of engineering or multidisciplinary projects across the country. The duties performed by DOI engineers vary greatly by location, bureau, and position.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Indian Education
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
National Park Service
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate should have a broad professional knowledge of engineering principles and be able to communicate effectively with professionals from a variety of functional backgrounds. This person should also be an efficient planner with the ability to critically review and evaluate the efficiency of programs and projects.

Work Environment

Engineers may spend time in both an office and field setting (such as construction sites or research laboratories).

Minimum Education Requirements

Please see the Individual Occupation Requirements and the Professional and Scientific Positions Group Qualification Standard on the OPM websites.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Journey:

    • Implements tools or systems for managing infrastructure or projects 
    • Ensures technical aspects of work are performed in accordance with applicable regulations or project plans
    • Provides advice on project planning and design process
    • Investigates problems in construction or renovation projects

  • Senior:

    • Leads interdisciplinary teams with varying objectives
    • Oversees design and construction of facilities 
    • Directs engineering and surveying services 
    • Formulates long- and short-term policies, plans, and procedures for programs

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Strengths by Level

Journey 11-12
Senior 14-15
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15
  • Customer Service
    Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15
  • Flexibility
    Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15
  • Influencing/Negotiating
    Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15
  • Learning
    Uses efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills; uses training, feedback, or other opportunities for self-learning and development.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15
  • Organizational Awareness
    Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15
  • Problem Solving
    Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15
  • Project Management
    Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15
  • Resilience
    Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15
  • Teaching Others
    Helps others learn through formal or informal methods; identifies training needs; provides constructive feedback; coaches others on how to perform tasks; acts as a mentor.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15
  • Teamwork
    Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15
  • Technical Competence
    Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15
  • Writing
    Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
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    Journey 11-12
    Senior 14-15

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

43%

Civil Engineering

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15.6%

Mechanical Engineering

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14.8%

Electrical Engineering

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Where We Are

DOI employs people at more than 2,400 locations across the United States and territories. Use the Position Locator tool to see where current DOI employees work. To check for job opportunities, scroll down and click "See jobs on USAjobs.gov."