Handbook of Occupational Groups and Families		Classification Programs Division
Release Date:  August 2001		Section Twelve of Sixty-six

    GS-0800 - ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE GROUP   

This group includes all classes of positions the duties of which are to advise on, administer, supervise, or perform professional, scientific, or technical work concerned with engineering or architectural projects, facilities, structures, systems, processes, equipment, devices, material or methods. Positions in this group require knowledge of the science or art, or both, by which materials, natural resources, and power are made useful.

Throughout the following information, an asterisk (*) stands for series with a published standard and a double asterisk (**) stands for series with a published flysheet.

Series in this group are:

GS-0801 - General Engineering Series

This series includes all classes of positions the duties of which are to advise on, administer, supervise, or perform research or other professional and scientific work of a special or miscellaneous character that is not specifically classifiable in any other engineering series, but that involves the application of a knowledge of such engineering fundamentals as the strength and strain analysis of engineering materials and structures, the physical and chemical characteristics of engineering materials such as elastic limits, maximum unit stresses, coefficients of expansion, workability, hardness, tendency to fatigue, resistance to corrosion, engineering adaptability, engineering methods of construction and processing, etc.; or positions involving professional work in several branches of engineering.

GS-0802 - Engineering Technician Series*

This series includes technical positions that require primarily application of a practical knowledge of: (1) the methods and techniques of engineering or architecture; and (2) the construction, application, properties, operations, and limitations of engineering systems, processes, structures, machinery, devices, and materials. The positions do not require professional knowledge and abilities for full performance and therefore do not require training equivalent in type and scope to that represented by the completion of a professional curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering or architecture. Excluded from this series are positions that are specifically covered by a more specialized technical series.

GS-0803 - Safety Engineering Series**

This series includes positions that require the performance of professional engineering work to eliminate or control hazardous conditions resulting from human error, equipment and machine operations that may lead to injury to persons and damage to property. The work requires the application of: (1) advanced mathematical techniques; (2) professional engineering principles, methods, and techniques; (3) safety related elements of the physical sciences, ergonomics, psychology and physiology; and (4) safety principles, standards, practices, and analytical techniques.

GS-0804 - Fire Protection Engineering Series

This series includes all classes of positions the duties of which are to advise on, administer, supervise, or perform research or other professional and scientific work in the investigation or development of fire prevention projects, the design, construction, inspection, testing, operation, or maintenance of firefighting or fire prevention apparatus, appliances, devices and systems, or the testing of fire resistant materials.

GS-0806 - Materials Engineering Series**

This series includes professional positions in engineering, or in engineering and physical science, that are concerned primarily with the properties, processing, uses, and inservice behavior of engineering materials, where the work performed and the qualifications required are such that the position is not more characteristic of a series appropriate to some other academic discipline. The work is characterized by the following three qualification requirements: (1) a highly developed knowledge of materials and their properties, processing, uses, and behavior under environmental influences; (2) an understanding of and the ability to utilize advances of the fundamental materials sciences, e.g., as they pertain to the interrelationships of composition, structure, and properties; and (3) knowledge of and ability to apply pertinent engineering principles and practices including considerations such as cost, availability, fabrication, performance, and use.

GS-0807 - Landscape Architecture Series*

This series includes positions the duties of which are to perform or supervise professional work in the planning and design of land areas and concurrent landscape construction and maintenance for integrated developments to meet specific human needs. It involves the analysis of land characteristics, operational requirements, land use intensities, and commensurate land values and includes the efficient correlation of ground and water forms, plant forms, structures, roads, and walks to serve esthetic, functional, economic, and other interrelated purposes. Positions in this series require professional landscape architectural planning and design ability and require knowledge of the allied physical planning fields of architectural and civil engineering, and the biological sciences of agronomy, plant ecology, horticulture, and botany as they affect land development.

GS-0808 - Architecture Series*

This series includes positions the duties of which involve professional architectural work that typically requires: (1) knowledge of architectural principles, theories, concepts, methods, and techniques; (2) a creative and artistic sense; and (3) an understanding and skill to use pertinent aspects of the construction industry, engineering and the physical sciences related to the design and construction of new or the improvement of existing buildings.

GS-0809 - Construction Control Series*

This series includes positions that involve on site inspection of construction or the monitoring and control of construction operations. Positions in this occupation require application of: (1) practical knowledge of engineering methods and techniques; (2) knowledge of construction practices, methods, techniques, costs, materials, and equipment; and (3) ability to read and interpret engineering and architectural plans and specifications.

GS-0810 - Civil Engineering Series*

This series included professional positions in the field of civil engineering, typically requiring application of general knowledge of the physical sciences and mathematics underlying engineering, and specialized knowledge of: (1) mechanics of solids, particularly of soils, (2) hydraulics, (3) theory of structure, (4) strength of materials, (5) engineering geology, and (6) surveying. Positions in this series have responsibility for management, supervision or performance of: (1) planning, designing, constructing, and/or maintaining structures and facilities that provide shelter, support transportation systems, and control natural resources; (2) investigating, measuring, surveying and mapping the earth's physical features and phenomena; and (3) research and development activities pertaining to (1) or (2).

GS-0817 - Surveying Technician Series*

This series includes positions that require primarily the application of a technical knowledge of surveying methods, equipment, and techniques in the measurement or determination of distances, elevations, areas, angles, land boundaries, and other features of the earth's surface. Specifically included are topographic, hydrographic, geodetic, land, control, and construction surveying.

GS-0818 - Engineering Drafting Series*

This series includes positions that involve primarily portraying engineering and architectural ideas and information through drawings. The positions require a practical knowledge of drafting methods and procedures, and skill in the application of drafting techniques.

GS-0819 - Environmental Engineering Series*

This series includes positions that involve professional engineering work to protect or improve air, land, and water resources in order to provide a clean and healthful environment. Such work requires the application of: (1) professional knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of engineering concerned with facilities and systems for controlling pollution and protecting quality of resources and the environment; and (2) an understanding of and the ability to utilize pertinent aspects of chemistry, biological sciences, and public health that pertain to the control or elimination of pollutants.

GS-0828 - Construction Analyst Series*

This series includes positions that involve technical work requiring the application of a practical knowledge of both architectural design and construction practices for housing. This work includes the examination of drawings and specifications for compliance with standards and verification that construction complies with these standards; the estimation of costs of construction, extension, alteration, remodeling, or repair of housing; and the collection, analysis, and development of basic cost information on housing construction.

GS-0830 - Mechanical Engineering Series*

This series includes professional positions in the field of mechanical engineering typically requiring the application of thermodynamics, mechanics, and other physical, mathematical and engineering sciences to problems concerned with the production, transmission, measurement, and use of energy, especially heat and mechanical power.

GS-0840 - Nuclear Engineering Series*

This series includes positions that involve professional engineering work that is concerned primarily with the engineering principles and considerations relating to the atomic nucleus and the systems, processes, and materials required for the generation, controlled release, and utilization of nuclear energy. Nuclear engineering work requires the application of professional engineering knowledge in the research, development, design, construction, testing, installation, monitoring, operation and maintenance of nuclear reactors (fission or fusion) and other nuclear systems and immediate auxiliary or ancillary systems and equipment.

GS-0850 - Electrical Engineering Series*

This series includes professional engineering positions that require primarily application of knowledge of: (1) the physical and engineering sciences and mathematics; (2) electrical phenomena; and (3) the principles, techniques, and practices of electrical engineering. The work pertains primarily to electrical circuits, circuit elements, equipment, systems, and associated phenomena concerned with electrical energy for purposes such as motive power, heating, illumination, chemical processes, or the production of localized electric or magnetic fields.

GS-0854 - Computer Engineering Series*

This series includes professional engineering positions that require primarily the application of knowledge of: (1) fundamentals and principles of professional engineering; (2) computer hardware, systems software, and computer system architecture and integration; and (3) mathematics, including calculus, probability, statistics, discrete structures, and modern algebra. The work pertains primarily to the research, design, development, testing, evaluation, and maintenance of computer hardware and software systems in an integrated manner.

GS-0855 - Electronics Engineering Series*

This series includes professional engineering positions that require primarily application of knowledge of: (1) the physical and engineering sciences and mathematics; (2) electronic phenomena; and (3) the principles, techniques, and practices of electronics engineering. The work pertains primarily to electronic circuits, circuit elements, equipment, systems, and associated phenomena concerned with electromagnetic or acoustical wave energy or electrical information for purposes such as communication, computation, sensing, control, measurement, and navigation.

GS-0856 - Electronics Technician Series*

This series includes positions that require: (1) the knowledge of the techniques and theories characteristic of electronics such as a knowledge of basic electricity and electronic theory, algebra, and elementary physics; (2) the ability to apply that knowledge to duties involved in engineering functions such as design, development, evaluation, testing, installation and maintenance of electronic equipment; and (3) a knowledge of the capabilities, limitations, operations, design characteristics, and functional use of a variety of types and models of electronic equipment and systems. Such knowledge is related to but less than a full professional knowledge of electronics engineering.

GS-0858 - Biomedical Engineering Series

This series includes positions that involve professional work in biomedical engineering. The work requires the application of engineering concepts and methodology to investigate problems and phenomena of living systems to advance the understanding of these systems and improve medical practices; to develop materials, instruments, diagnostic and therapeutic devices, and other equipment applicable in the study of life systems and the practice of medicine; and to improve health service delivery systems for communities and within individual institutional components (hospitals, clinics, or other activities). Biomedical engineering work requires in addition to knowledge and skill in engineering disciplines a background in physiology and anatomy, and a practical facility in specialized subject matter areas such as computer applications, electronics, or mathematics.

GS-0861 - Aerospace Engineering Series*

This series includes professional aerospace engineering positions involved in planning, research, development, design, test and evaluation, analysis, production, fabrication, operation, type certification, and/or maintenance of aerospace vehicles or integrally associated equipment. It also includes positions involved in investigating phenomena encountered in aerospace flight, monitoring and analyzing unknown or unfamiliar aerospace vehicles, piloting aerospace vehicles, developing aviation safety standards and regulations, and positions providing staff leadership and guidance related to aerospace engineering programs. The work requires application of scientific and engineering principles in the field of aeronautics and astronautics, such as aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, astro-dynamics, computational fluid dynamics, fluid mechanics, flight dynamics, flight structures, thermodynamics, flight propulsion, and energy conversion and use.

GS-0871 - Naval Architecture Series*

This series includes all classes of positions the duties of which are to advise on, administer, supervise, or perform professional engineering work in the field of naval architecture that primarily concerns the form, strength, stability, performance, and operational characteristics of ships. The work of positions in this series includes research, design, development, construction, investigation, testing, arrangement, installation, and maintenance for all types of ships. This work involves the consideration and application of naval architectural principles and concepts; the making of stability and buoyancy calculations and developing data for launching, loading, operation, and drydocking of ships in a safe, efficient, and economical manner; and naval architectural investigations and development of data and criteria leading to improved ship design.

GS-0873 - Ship Surveying Series

This series includes all classes of positions the duties of which are to administer, supervise, or perform work primarily concerned with surveying Government-owned vessels, Government-operated vessels, or both, or privately owned and operated merchant vessels, including components installed thereon, to determine condition and need for an extent of work required to place the vessels in condition to meet specified requirements. Work of this series includes in combination: (1) the preparation of specifications, including estimates of labor and material costs to cover work determined to be necessary as a result of surveys; (2) the inspection and acceptance of the work accomplished to place the vessel in the condition specified; and (3) other work, such as preparation of reports, incidental to ship surveying. This series does not include work primarily concerned with inspection of the construction, assembly, modification, conversion, overhaul, or repair of vessels or inspections involved in the procurement of vessels, chiefly to assure compliance with contracts, plans, and specifications.

GS-0880 - Mining Engineering Series*

This series includes positions that require primarily the application of professional knowledge of mining engineering. The work requires the ability to apply the principles of mathematics, chemistry, geology, physics, and engineering to mining technology. It also requires general knowledge of construction and excavation methods, materials handling, and the processes involved in preparing mined materials for use. Mining engineer positions are concerned with the search for, efficient removal, and transportation of ore to the point of use; conservation and development of mineral lands, materials, and deposits; and the health and safety of mine workers.

GS-0881 - Petroleum Engineering Series*

This series includes positions that require primarily the application of a professional knowledge of petroleum engineering. The work is concerned with exploration and development of oil and natural gas fields; production, transportation, and storage of petroleum, natural gas, and helium; investigation, evaluation, and conservation of these resources; regulation of transportation and sale of natural gas; valuation of production and distribution facilities for tax, regulatory, and other purposes; and research on criteria, principles, methods, and equipment.

GS-0890 - Agricultural Engineering Series*

This series includes professional positions that require primarily the application of the principles of engineering in combination with knowledge of one or more fields of agriculture. The work involves research, development, design, test, evaluation, and application of the fundamentals of engineering to aid in the solution of agricultural problems in such areas as farm structures, soil and water conservation, mechanical power and machinery, and electric power and processing.

GS-0892 - Ceramic Engineering Series

This series includes professional engineering positions concerned with the development or adaptation of materials, methods, and processes used in the manufacture of ceramic products; and with the design, construction and operation of industrial processes and equipment used in their production. Ceramic products may be considered as those composed of nonmetallic, inorganic minerals that are subjected to high temperature during manufacture or use; and include crystalline materials with desired physical properties, cementitious materials, abrasives, refrac-tories, porcelain enamels, structural clay products, whiteware, and glass products.

GS-0893 - Chemical Engineering Series*

This series includes positions that involve professional work in chemical engineering, including research, development, design, operation, evaluation, and improvement of processes, plants, equipment, methods, or products. The work involves changes in the chemical composition or physical state of materials and requires primarily application of knowledge of the principles and practices of chemical engineering, chemistry, and other scientific and engineering disciplines.

GS-0894 - Welding Engineering Series

This series includes all classes of positions the duties of which are to administer, supervise, advise on, coordinate, or perform engineering research or other professional engineering work involving the application of welding and engineering principles to the solution of problems in the development and improvement of welding equipment and processes, the design of welding sequences and welded structures, the establishment and maintenance of standards and quality controls for welding, the giving of advice to design and construction engineers on the production applicability of welding, and similar work regarding metallic joining or cutting processes allied to welding.

GS-0895 - Industrial Engineering Technician Series*

This series includes nonprofessional technical positions engaged in industrial engineering work. Industrial engineering technician positions are concerned primarily with planning, designing, analyzing, improving, and installing integrated work systems comprised of men, materials, and equipment, for use in producing products, rendering services, repairing equipment, or moving and storing supplies and equipment. The work typically involves studies of engineered time standards, methods engineering, layout design of work centers, control systems, materials handling, or manpower utilization. It requires a knowledge of the principles and techniques of industrial engineering and practical knowledge of pertinent industrial and related work processes, facilities, methods, and equipment.

GS-0896 - Industrial Engineering Series*

This series includes positions that involve professional work in industrial engineering. Industrial engineering is that branch of engineering concerned with the planning, design, analysis, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of employees, materials, and equipment to produce a product or render a service. The work requires application of specialized professional knowledge and skill in the mathematical, physical, and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design to specify, predict, and evaluate the results to be obtained from such systems.

GS-0899 - Engineering and Architecture Student Trainee Series

See the series definition for the General Student Trainee Series, GS-0099.