Architect

Summary

The position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director, House Office Buildings, Director, Tenants Service Division, Tenant Projects Branch.

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Duties

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The incumbent serves as an Architect, performing a variety of duties that are broad in scope, with respect to the development of architectural designs and writing detailed specifications for new construction, interior and exterior alterations, restorations, additions, and repairs to existing buildings and structures coming under the jurisdiction of the House Office Buildings. The incumbent also performs duties involving interior environmental design.

The duties stated below are at the GS-13 level.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provide direction and guidance to ensure that jurisdiction work complies with the International Building Code (IBC), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Life Safety Code (NFPA 101).
• Serve as an expert design architect for facilities or structures that utilize new technology and are considered to advance the state-of-the-art in architectural design. Responsibility includes space and furniture layout, design and selection of furniture and furnishings, color coordination, lighting, and preparation of drawings and specifications. Independently prepares preliminary and final designs, construction drawings, and specifications.
• Lead field inspections and takes field dimensions and profiles of existing facilities as required to prepare preliminary and final drawings for alterations, restoration, addition, and repairs. Compute floor areas and summarize space availability and allocation.
• Verify design requirements with agency guidelines, not limited to, Architect of the Capitol preservation Policy and Standards, Architect of the Capitol Design Standards, other agency architects, and engineers responsible for related features, projects, or components of projects. Review architectural plans and specifications for adequacy and feasibility.
• Participate in the development of requirements with customers, analyze requirements and design criteria, develop cost estimates, assure validation of requirements, and evaluate schedules and the feasibility of project accomplishment.
• Develop or review specifications for the construction of various projects, including design-build efforts and design-bid-build projects.
• Develop and review project schedules to ensure reasonable and timely implementation of the design and construction of various projects, recognizing the critical nature of the projects.
• Perform requirements analysis, develop and implement plans to ensure that project scope and requirements are defined and documented, projects are formally approved, and milestones and reviews are accomplished.
• Serve as project manager/architect in directing design teams of interdisciplinary engineering specialists to plan and control the advanced architectural aspects involved in the design and construction of extensive projects of an unusual and/or unique nature.
• Act as a Project Manager, Program Manager and Task Leader on assigned projects and is responsible for independently administering multiple complex projects some of major size, scope and complexity in accordance with Architect of the Capitol best practices, which may include: meeting with House-Staff to define project scope and requirements, preparation of scope and statement of work, conceptual drawings, initial cost estimates and estimated project duration, then preparing an integrated construction package with multi-discipline drawings, final cost estimates, selecting material and equipment and preparing purchase requisitions and finally overseeing construction, tracking and reporting construction status to upper management, tracking deliveries, coordinating work activities with the general site foreman, preparing as-built drawings and closeout documents and ensures maintenance staff is trained.
• Perform contract administration activities for significant, highly specialized procurements.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job competencies.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
• Must meet educational requirement for Architect.
• You must be able to pass a drug test.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.

To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below:

• A citizen of the United States;
• A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B);
• A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible;
• A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or
• A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States.

Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at General Schedule Qualification Standards.

To qualify for a Architect, your resume and supporting documentation must support:

Basic Requirements: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience or substitution of education for experience or combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements:

1. Degree : architecture; or related field that included 60 semester hours of course work in architecture or related disciplines of which at least (1) 30 semester hours were in architectural design, and (2) 6 semester hours were in each of the following: structural technology, properties of materials and methods of construction, and environmental control systems.

-OR-

2. Combination of education and experience college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the arts and sciences underlying professional architecture, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the architectural principles, methods, and techniques and their applications to the design and construction or improvement of buildings. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by at least one of the following:

1. Related Curriculum: Degree in architectural engineering may be accepted as satisfying in full the basic requirements, provided the completed course work in architectural engineering provided knowledge, skills, and abilities substantially equivalent to those provided in the courses specified in paragraph A. The curriculum for a degree in either architecture or architectural engineering covers function, esthetics, site, structure, economics, mechanical-electrical, and other engineering problems related to the design and construction of buildings primarily (but not exclusively) intended to house human activities. The courses required for a degree in architecture generally place emphasis upon planning, esthetics, and materials and methods of construction, while the courses for an architectural engineering degree place equal or greater weight on the technical engineering aspects such as structural systems, mechanical systems, and the properties of materials. Because of this difference in emphasis, persons with degrees in architecture may have a preference for work assignments that offer greater opportunities for them to express their artistic and creative abilities. As a result, they may be more concerned with planning and design aspects of architecture, and persons with degrees in architectural engineering may be more engaged in aspects emphasizing technical engineering considerations.
2. Experience: An applicant lacking a degree in architecture must have had l year of experience in an architect's office or in architectural work for each year short of graduation from a program of study in architecture. In the absence of college courses, 5 years of such experience is required. This experience must have demonstrated that the applicant has acquired a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional architecture.

-AND-

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.

For the GS-11:

Candidates for the GS-11 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-09) grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as having experience: (1) Preparing requirements and criteria for mid-value projects for the construction or modification of facilities; (2) Coordinating with and advising staff members on interior design factors such as space planning, layout, and utilization of furnishings; and (3) Conducting client meetings and preparing design packages that include furniture and finish.

-OR-

Qualifying on Education for the GS-11:

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or
• 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or
• LL.M., [graduate education must be related to the duties of the position

For the GS-12:

Candidates for the GS-12 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-11) grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as having experience: (1) Preparing architectural requirements and criteria for medium-value projects for the construction and/or modification of facilities; (2) Preparing designs and developing architectural plans and specifications, including floor plans, evaluations, sections, and scale details; and (3) Performing requirements analysis, developing and implementing plans to ensure that the project scope is met and requirements are defined and documented, projects are formally approved, and milestones and reviews are accomplished.

For the GS-13 :

Candidates for the GS-13 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-12) grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as having experience: (1) Designing large multi-purpose, multiple-phase facilities or structures design projects; (2) Conducting independent studies and/or assessments to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of form and function and recommending improvements to management; and (3) Reviewing and evaluating shop drawings, progress schedules, and inspecting conformance to technical documents during construction.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page). Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration.

Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website:

Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment.

Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part of foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree.

You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course-by-course listing if selected.

Additional information

Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit Vet Guide for HR Professionals.

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

DRUG TESTING : The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC's suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.

The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.

The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit

The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Moving expenses are not authorized.

Relocation expenses are not authorized.

Probationary Period: A newly appointed selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol.

All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits, including medical and life insurance, flexible spending accounts and student loan repayment and forgiveness. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have-whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee.

Selected applicants may be eligible to earn a higher annual leave accrual rate credit towards annual leave accrual based on prior non-Federal or uniformed service work experience. The amount of service credit will be based on specialized experience or qualifying experience that is provided on the applicant profile submitted. As such, if you are a new employee to the Federal Government or a rehire, it is important that you provide a work history that lists all directly related positions held, and it must include the dates of employment (month/day/year).

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.