Architect

Summary This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol, Office of the Chief of Operations, Senate Office Buildings (SOB), Facilities Support Division. As an Architect you will perform a variety of duties related 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 under the purview of the SOB and involving interior environmental design. Responsibilities The individual selected for this position will perform the following duties: Architectural Advice and Guidance Prepares architectural requirements and criteria for complex, high value projects for construction or modification of facilities. Provides guidance and technical advice to lower-grade employees and specialists within the organization in the performance of related assignments and is available to those employees for consultation on assigned projects. Resolves exceptionally difficult technical matters, as well as issues involving historic preservation, that can be overcome by changes in approach, criteria or requirements. Provides 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). Coordinates with and advises Members of Congress, their staffs and other Congressional staff members on-interior design factors such as space planning, layout and utilization of furnishings Designs large multi-purpose_, multiple-phase facilities or structures design projects. Architectural Requirements and Specifications Analyzes and defines the requirements of multi-phase projects; Provides extensive coordination with other project and program areas, integrating concurrent standards, guides and precedents. Leads the development of requirements with customers, analyzes requirements and design criteria, develops cost estimates, assures validation of requirements and evaluates schedules and the feasibility of project accomplishment. Develops and/or reviews specifications and cost estimates for construction of projects; Guides and evaluates efforts of design and construction personnel and assesses technical progress in relation to the established schedule and resources allotted; Reviews plans, specifications and cost estimates for technical adequacy. Reviews and coordinates technical reviews with other architectural and engineering disciplines within the AOC for submittal during Schematic, Concept and Construction Documents development; Chairs review conferences. Resolves controversial design issues while ensuring conformance with contract specifications. Reviews design documents for compliance with the approved concept and applicable codes, standards and criteria. Design Work Coordinates the development of designs for large multi-purpose, multiple-phase projects. Resolves unusual demands caused by extraordinary urgency, public interest, economic constraints or environmental requirements. Serves 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; Responsibilities include space and furniture layout, design and selection of furniture and furnishings, color coordination, lighting and preparation of drawings and of specifications. Independently prepares preliminary and final designs and construction drawings and specifications; Leads 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; Computes floor areas and summarizes space availability and allocation. Reviews architectural plans and specifications for adequacy and feasibility. Provides extensive coordination with other project and program areas, integrating concurrent standards, guides and precedents Participates in the development of requirements with customers, analyzes requirements and design criteria, develops cost estimates, assures validation of requirements and evaluates schedules and the feasibility of project accomplishment. Performs independent studies and assessments to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of operations and recommends improvements to management. Develops or reviews specifications for construction of various projects including design-build efforts and design-bid-build projects. Develops and reviews project schedules to ensure reasonable, and timely implementation of the design and construction of various projects. Serves as a primary client contact for the Senate's interior decorating program for Member offices. Project Management Serves 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. Performs contract administration activities for significant, highly specialized procurements. Ensures the entire scope of work is performed and that all quality requirements are strictly enforced. Performs a variety of pre-award, post-award and post-contract activities. Performs other related duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be able to pass a drug test. Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related KSAs. You must meet the definition of specialized experience. You must meet the education requirement for Architects. 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 OPM qualification standards 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. 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 for this position is defined as having experience: Performing architectural design, technical reviews, quality control and project management on building projects and interior tenant fit-outs from planning and programming through construction; Assessing compliance with construction standards, preparing full construction drawings and specifications, and preparing scope of work documents and statements of work; Evaluating studies, plans, design specifications and progress reports for architectural, engineering and construction processes and projects; Serving as Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) or equivalent for building construction projects. Evaluating and monitoring quality levels of furnishings including but not limited to modular furniture and maintaining contact with suppliers, installation contractors and procurement personnel during all phases of projects. 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 for this position is defined as having experience: 1. Performing architectural design, technical reviews, quality control and project management on building projects and interior tenant fit-outs from planning and programming through construction; Assessing compliance with construction standards, preparing full construction drawings and specifications, and preparing scope of work documents and statements of work; Evaluating studies, plans, design specifications and progress reports for architectural, engineering and construction processes and projects; Serving as Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) or equivalent for building construction projects. Evaluating and monitoring quality levels of furnishings including but not limited to modular furniture and maintaining contact with suppliers, installation contractors and procurement personnel during all phases of projects. 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. Conduct independent studies and/or assessments to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of form and function and recommend improvements to management. Reviewing and evaluate shop drawings, progress schedules, and inspecting conformance to technical documents during construction. Education In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirements for this position, applicants must possess the following: Education Requirement for Architects: Bachelor's Degree in 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-- 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: Related Curriculum: Degree in architectural engineering may be accepted. 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. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: 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 OPM vet guide 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. BACKGROUND CHECK: 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. E-VERIFY: 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.