Clarification from the agency

Please be advised that federal retired annuitant candidates may only be considered as a temporary employee if the role can be filled in that capacity.

The tour of duty for this position is Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

*** Please Note: This position is a temporary appointment in nature and is not to exceed 13 months. This is strictly a temporary appointment where there is no permanent need or permanent funding available for the work involved. It is a position that is subject to the project needs of the agency, therefore, the appointment could be terminated at any time due to shortage of work or shortage of funds without any advance notice. If project work continues, it could be extended beyond the 13-month time frame at the sole discretion of the agency. As a non-permanent employee, you may also be separated for failure to meet management’s expectations, with no advance notice. ***

The incumbent also performs duties involving interior environmental design.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Architectural Advice and Guidance

• Determine, explain, and recommend alternative solutions in response to client requirements.
• Evaluate facility or structure in relation to design objectives.

Architectural Requirements

• Prepare requirements and criteria for mid-value projects for the construction or modification of facilities.
• Resolve technical difficulties as well as issues involving historic preservation that changes in approach, criteria, or requirements can overcome.
• Prepare designs and develop architectural plans and specifications, including floor plans, evaluations, sections, and scale details.
• Review functional, physical, aesthetic, and economic factors, and make recommendations regarding the type, color, characteristics, and availability of materials and furnishings.
• Prepare architectural sketches and drawings.

Architectural Facility Design Work

• Prepare in-house designs in coordination with other architects, engineers, and technicians within the division to ensure that all technical areas are fully considered, and design objectives are met, resulting in the most efficient and economical design.
• Prepare necessary technical drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and procurement documents for project administration.
• Evaluate design objectives and employ innovative approaches to meet project needs and requirements.

Architectural Projects

• Serve as Design Manager/Architect, directing interdisciplinary engineering specialist design teams to plan and manage the advanced architectural aspects involved in designing and constructing extensive projects of an unusual and/or unique nature.
• Serve as a technical specialist and a key source of information on architectural matters.
• Conduct independent studies and assessments to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of form and function and recommend improvements to management.
• Administer multiple assigned projects some of significant size, scope and complexity in accordance with Architect of the Capitol best practices, which may include: meeting with staff to define project scope and requirements, preparation of scope and statement of work, conceptual drawings, rough order of magnitude (ROM) and estimated project duration, preparing an integrated construction package with multi-discipline drawings, review of final cost estimates, selecting material and equipment, preparing purchase requisitions, and act as the technical expertise for Requests For Information (RFIs) in coordination with the Project Manager (PM) Contract Officer Representative (COR) during construction, preparing as-built drawings and closeout documents and ensures maintenance staff is trained.
• Conduct ongoing audits of procedures, field operations, verification tests, and site activities to ensure that requirements are met.
• Review plans, specifications, and cost estimates for technical adequacy.
• Review and evaluate shop drawings to ensure conformance to technical documents throughout the construction process.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• You must be able to pass a drug test.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
• You must meet the educational requirements for Architect.

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.
 
You must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the job announcement.
 
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.

GS-11:

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

• Developing architectural designs and/or writing detailed specifications for new construction, interior and/or exterior alterations, restorations, additions, and/or repairs to existing buildings
  and structures; 
• Performing interior environmental design; and 
• Providing advice and/or guidance concerning projects with a range of construction costs, mid-size and/or standardized architectural elements.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Review your resume and responses carefully. Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your responses to job specific self-assessment questions.

Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for this position, possession of any specialized experience, and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement. The self-assessment questions relate to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies:

• Knowledge of Architectural Design and Specifications
• Project Management
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication
• Contract Administration

Your responses to the self-assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating. You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions. Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume and optional cover letter. Your resume must support your answers to the self-assessment questions. Falsifying your background, education and/or experience is cause for non-selection or disqualification from further consideration.

Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the “Required Documents” section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application).

• Your resume should include relevant work experience, applicable education and your contact information. For current or previous federal employees, include the pay plan, series and grade.

The Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) job application process is designed to ensure you only provide information necessary to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility for the position vacancy.

To apply for this position, you only need to submit: a) your resume and b) answers to the online vacancy assessment questionnaire. The online questionnaire contains eligibility and screening questions and other relevant information. No additional documentation or attachments are required at the time of application.

Your resume should list your education, training and work experience including job titles, employment dates, duties and accomplishments.

Nothing further is required until it is requested by AOC’s Human Capital Management Division. If additional documentation is required for the position, you will be asked to provide it during the interview or selection process. At that time, you may be asked to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume.

For example, you may be asked to provide a copy of your diploma, college transcripts, or proof of Federal employment status. If the position requires licensure or certification, you will be asked to provide proof at the time of selection.

If Veterans’ preference is claimed, you will be asked to submit proof (DD-214, and, if claiming a 10-point preference, a SF-15 and the proof required by that form).

Failure to provide the required documents will end further consideration and/or result in the withdrawal of any tentative job offers.

Next steps