Architect
Job Location:
Washington, DC - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job 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.
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 forconstruction or modification of facilities.
Provides guidance and technical advice to lower-gradeemployees 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 historicpreservation that can be overcome by changes in approach criteria or requirements.
Provides direction and guidance to ensure that jurisdiction work complies with the InternationalBuilding 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 extensivecoordination with other project and program areas integrating concurrent standards guides andprecedents.
Leads the development of requirements with customers analyzes requirements anddesign criteria develops cost estimates assures validation of requirements and evaluatesschedules and the feasibility of project accomplishment.
Develops and/or reviews specifications and cost estimates for construction of projects;Guidesand evaluates efforts of design and construction personnel and assesses technical progress inrelation to the established schedule and resources allotted;Reviews plans specifications and costestimates for technical adequacy.
Reviews and coordinates technical reviews with other architectural and engineering disciplineswithin the AOC for submittal during Schematic Concept and Construction Documentsdevelopment;Chairs review conferences.
Resolves controversial design issues while ensuringconformance with contract specifications.
Reviews design documents for compliance with theapproved concept and applicable codes standards and criteria.
Design Work
Coordinates the development of designs for large multi-purpose multiple-phase projects.
Resolvesunusual demands caused by extraordinary urgency public interest economic constraints orenvironmental requirements.
Serves as an expert design architect for facilities or structures thatutilize 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 andfurnishings color coordination lighting and preparation of drawings and of specifications.
Independently prepares preliminary and final designs and construction drawings andspecifications;Leads field inspections and takes field dimensions and profiles of existingfacilities as required to prepare preliminary and final drawings for alterations restorationaddition and repairs;Computes floor areas and summarizes space availability and allocation.
Reviewsarchitectural plans and specifications for adequacy and feasibility.
Provides extensive coordination with other project and program areas integrating concurrentstandards guides and precedents
Participates in the development of requirements withcustomers analyzes requirements and design criteria develops cost estimates assures validationof requirements and evaluates schedules and the feasibility of project accomplishment.
Performs independent studies and assessments to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency ofoperations and recommends improvements to management.
Develops or reviews specifications for construction of various projects including design-buildefforts and design-bid-build projects.
Develops and reviews project schedules toensure reasonable and timely implementation of the design and construction of various projects.
Serves as a primary client contact for the Senates interior decorating program for Memberoffices.
Project Management
Serves asproject manager/architect in directing design teams of interdisciplinary engineering specialists toplan and control the advanced architectural aspects involved in the design and construction ofextensive 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 requirementsare strictly enforced.
Performs a variety of pre-award post-award and post-contract activities.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
- 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.
You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Managements (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 atOPM 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 Officers 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 Officers Technical Representative (COTR) or equivalent for building construction projects.
- Evaluatingand 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.
In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirements for this position applicants must possess the following:
Education Requirement for Architects:
Bachelors 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 architects office or in architectural work for each year short of graduation from a program of study 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.
Welcome 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 visitOPM vet guide
If you are a male applicant born after December 31 1959 you must certify that you have registered with theSelective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit theSelective Service Systemwebsite for more information.
DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOCs suitability assessment a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employeeis 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 employees 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 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.
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.
A variety of health insurance plans; retirement system with investment options; paid holidays; paid sick and annual (vacation) leave; life insurance; incentive systems; subsidized transportation; training and development opportunities etc.
Selected applicant(s) 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).
The Architect of the Capitol offers eligible employees opportunity to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program.
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.
Required Experience:
Staff IC
