Construction Engineer

Join the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) in building and renovating safe, secure, sustainable, and functional facilities that support the diplomacy world.

As a Construction Engineer, you will use your engineering skills and vertical construction experience to manage new projects, supervise upgrades to existing properties, and support sustainable design and energy conservation programs.

You will be responsible for ensuring that construction work is professionally performed and compliant. You will be accountable for quality assurance, financial controls, safety and security, commissioning, pre-construction, and administrative tasks related to all aspects of building projects.

In return for your service, you will have access to continued training and career development programs; health and medical coverage; federal retirement benefits; and generous paid leave. When serving overseas, the Department provides paid housing or an appropriate housing allowance and paid K-12 education for dependent children.

Conditions of Employment

  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
  • Be able to obtain an appropriate Foreign Service Minimum Medical Qualifications.
  • Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.**
  • Be at least 20 years old to apply; at least 21 years old to be appointed.
  • Be appointed prior to age 60 (preference eligible veterans excepted).***

Requirements

  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) in one of the following:
  • Civil/Structural Engineering
  • Construction Engineering Technologies
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Architectural Engineering; or
  • Bachelor of Architecture from a program accredited by NAAB; or
  • Master of Architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB); and
  • At least three years of specialized experience in the last 10 years, working in the field on major vertical construction projects.

Learn more about the duties and find out all the requirements for the position and the application process by visiting an archived USAJOBS listing.  This is for informational purposes only.  Candidates must adhere to the requirements listed in the open vacancy announcement at the time of their application.  Sign up to receive a notification when the vacancy is open for application.

*EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) – Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.

U.S. law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States – either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee’s information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.

**The U.S. Department of State Suitability Review Panel and Standards are defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual

***For more information about Veteran Preference and how it is applied in the selection process, please visit our FAQs page.