Decorative Plasterer (Painter) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. LBG-2025-297 Department Architect of the Capitol
Salary $36.12 to $42.20 Grade 11 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/17/2025 Close Date 7/2/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Office of the Chief of Operations, Superintendent, Library Buildings and Grounds (LBG). The incumbent performs as a journey-level Plasterer Painter-Decorator and performs coating work on equipment, furnishings and buildings and is accomplished by standard methods and special finishing techniques including graining, marbling and mottling using coating materials prepared in common and special methods.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all U.S. Citizens.

Duties

TOUR OF DUTY: Sunday through Thursday, 6:00PM to 4:30AM

Surface Preparation, Plastering and Decorative Painting Work (100%)

Performs intricate painting and decorative work requiring skill to restore decorative surfaces. Uses brushes, spray guns, rollers or other equipment to apply paint, varnish, wallpaper and other elaborate finishes (i.e. stenciling, color glazing, gilding, marbling, lettering, striping, stippling and graining) to walls, doors, windows, baseboards, floor, trim and other surfaces of buildings; and wood and metal objects, equipment in order to shield, uphold, garnish or refurbish them. Uses special finishing techniques such as sponging, ragging, layering or faux painting. Refinishes and/or finishes new walnut and mahogany doors, metal doors and cabinets etc. to match historical natural wood finishes within Capitol Complex.                                                                                            

Picks and blends paints and other coating materials. Matches colors and textures to historic finishes where exact matching with prior finish is necessary.

Knowledge on making silicone molds, mixing, and applying silicone and casting molding plaster.

The ability to repair plaster walls and ornamental plaster, as well as knowledge on mixing both lime plaster, molding plaster and brown coats. Repairs ceiling centers, ceiling panels, columns, corbel arches, corbel blocks, cornices, edge moldings, gable trims, molded carvings, pedestals, pediments, pilasters, plaster domes and plaster fire surrounds. Fabricates and installs replacements for these items as needed. Repairs and patches plaster and stucco surfaces. Applies plaster on metal, wood or gypsum lathe, wallboard and masonry surfaces. Patches damaged sections of walls and ceilings. Chips out old plaster, trims edges until a solid joint is found and fills with new plaster. Straightens edges and trowels to an even surface.

Performs coating work using accepted methods of the trade. Plans the materials, tools and techniques needed for the work and completes the work with little or no advice. Determines the methods, devices and materials that are best suited to each surface to achieve a glossy finish, grained effect or a finish that must meet specified thickness levels or other criteria.

Utilizes standard tools and equipment such as brushes, rollers, spray guns, trowels, screeds, straight edges, viscosity testers, graining devices and wet and other thickness gauges. Erects and dismantles staging and scaffolding.

Refinishes doors, baseboards, floors and interior trim in offices. Prepares and treats surfaces, evening out dents. Prepares and applies coating materials using accepted trade devices.

Knowledge in using a May line Parallel Bar with Protractor and Triangles

Applies decorative finishes including stippling, striping and graining. Matches colors, shading and textures of interior finishes where exact matching with previous finish is required.

Paints building signs from stenciled outlines.

The incumbent is responsible for utilizing a thorough knowledge of and compliance with applicable AOC and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety rules and regulations to ensure that work progresses in a safe manner and to initiate or take corrective action on unsafe conditions in managed areas. Provides or receives training, either on the job or through classroom training, to ensure that required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is utilized

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be able to pass a drug test.
  • Your resume and question responses must demonstrate job-related elements.
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen.

“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 all eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the job announcement.

You must meet the following SCREEN-OUT(S) required for this position.

Ability to perform decorative plasterer duties and responsibilities without more than normal supervision:

  1. To include using painting tools and equipment (i.e., brushes, rollers, spray guns, trowels, screeds, straight edges, viscosity testers) to perform the most complex painting tasks; repairing plaster walls and ornamental plaster; applying plaster on metal, wood or gypsum lathe, wallboard, and masonry surfaces; replicating original decorative design (i.e., Arabesque, Bay Leaf Imbricated, Bay Leaf Wreath, Cloth and Leaf Swags, Fluttering Ribbon, Guilloche, Greek Keys, Urns, Lanterns, Rinceaux, Anthemion, Acanthus, Zodiac Signs, Eggs and Darts and Stylize Dolphins); and using a computer for Daily reports and updates on projects and assignments.

Education

There is no educational requirement.

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 http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp#6.

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 http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm

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.

Benefits

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.

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).

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.

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 job elements 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 job elements and competencies:

- Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)

- Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment

- Dexterity and Safety

- Appropriate Level of Supervision 

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).


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

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.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

You MUST apply online. FORMS RECEIVED BY FAX, EMAIL OR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

If you are a new user to the USAJOBS Site and have never registered for an account; you will first need to create an account profile with your basic contact information and a resume to begin applying. You must be a registered USAJOBS user AND you must be signed-in to your account in order to apply for this position. For help with setting up an account or for general assistance in using USAJOBS, go to USAJOBS Help Page.

NEED HELP?
If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! If you have problems completing your on-line application, contact the Monster Hiring Management Help Desk at 1-866-656-6831 or by e-mail at MGSHELP@monster.com. The help desk is available Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You may call and leave a voice mail message at all other times.

All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS “Saved Documents” feature.

If you are unable to apply on-line, you may visit our Employment Center for technical assistance in entering your application. The Employment Center is located at 441 Second & D Streets S.W., Washington, D.C., Room H2-178, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may call (202) 226-7000 for directions.

Agency contact information

Brittany Holmes
Address
Architect of the Capitol
United States Capitol
Washington, District of Columbia 20515
United States

Next steps

You will receive a notice generated by the USAJOBS System when you have successfully submitted your application. We will review your application and transcript(s) (if you are qualifying based on education) to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.

You can check the status of your application by logging into http://www.usajobs.gov. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJOBS Account, editing your profile and changing the ‘Notification Settings’ to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes. Information regarding the status of your application should be updated in the system within two (2) weeks after the closing date of this vacancy announcement.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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