Executive Director of Facilities Operations, U.S. Capitol Building Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. CB-2025-130 Department Architect of the Capitol
Salary $150,160.00 to $216,600.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/19/2025 Close Date 3/12/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This is an exciting leadership role at the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) for a exceptional and experienced professional engineer or architect. At the AOC, our employees are proud and passionate about AOC’s mission to serve Congress, the Supreme Court and the public. The Executive Director of Facilities Operations, U.S. Capitol Building, leads dedicated teams of architects, engineers, skilled trades, labor and custodial, technical and administrative staff supporting the building operations.  

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This position serves at the pleasure of the Architect. Appointments to the Excepted Service are civil service appointments that do not confer competitive status. This position is eligible for direct hire. Applications are accepted from all U.S. citizens. Please see detailed guidance regarding employment eligibility under "Requirements."

Duties

The AOC seeks an exceptional, experienced, dynamic, results-driven and transformative leader who possesses demonstrated expertise and proven leadership in facilities management. The successful candidate will be able to skillfully collaborate and develop sustainable relationships with our stakeholders, external partners and organizational teams across the agency in order to further our vision in becoming a trusted partner with Congress.

The executive performs duties and responsibilities such as the following:

  • Serves as Executive Director charged with significant leadership responsibilities for the preservation, maintenance and operations of the Capitol Building including structural, mechanical, interior and exterior repair, maintenance, alterations, custodial and construction renovations.
  • Provides aspirational leadership of an organization comprised of over two hundred employees performing professional architecture, engineering, custodial, labor, various skilled trades, sustainability and preservation activities and services on a 24/7 schedule to accommodate congressional operations and public visitation.
  • Exercises direct management, administrative and program oversight of various skilled trades operations such as carpentry, custodial, electrical, elevator, heating and air conditioning, insulation, labor, masonry, painting, plumbing and sheet metal.
  • Plans, directs and controls maintenance and construction projects. Develops plans and schedules which are responsive to the dynamic nature of the U.S. Capitol Building Congressional business operations.
  • Leads a staff and is responsible for planning and organizing mission critical work, including setting objectives and priorities within resources provided by AOC so that all programs, services, functions and tasks are efficiently and effectively executed.
  • Serves in close and continuous coordination with appropriate congressional leadership, committees and Members of Congress, Capitol Building counterparts and senior leaders.
  • Ensures compliance with applicable Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, OSHA and AOC safety rules and regulations and trade safety requirements, material management, environment, sustainability and resource management.
  • Provides program management by exercising project control and authority throughout the various phases of renovation. Integrates the efforts involving multiple contractors and subcontractors, contracting officers and AOC staff.
  • Serves as Security Officer of the U. S. Capitol Building. Holds briefings, as assigned, in connection with visits to the Capitol by the President, Vice President and foreign dignitaries.
  • Provides expert guidance, advice and recommendations to the Architect of the Capitol, Deputy Architect and Chief of Operations on problems and critical matters pertaining to construction, maintenance and operations.
  • Serves as the representative or consultant for the agency at interagency and international meetings dealing with the leadership of sustainability practices for historic, iconic buildings.
  • Manages the Capitol Flag Program.

The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance. 

Candidates must have proven leadership/managerial experience in facilities and construction management involving the management of multi-million-dollar annual budgets for maintenance, renovation and preservation of historic buildings and assets.

Candidates must also have demonstrated ability to manage complex construction programs and be a proven leader in executing and delivering results to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Strong competency in building coalitions internally and externally to achieve common goals is essential.

Advancing our diverse culture in promoting AOC’s values with a commitment to inclusivity and civility are paramount. Thoughtful leadership and a passion for AOC staff are required to foster employee engagement and to strengthen internal organizational infrastructure to support ongoing excellence. Executive presence and excellent communication skills are essential.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Filing of a Financial Disclosure Report.
  • Successful completion of a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position.
  • Successful completion of pre-employment and applicable random drug testing required.
  • Meets qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • You must provide narratives to the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Professional Technical Qualification (PTQ).

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 for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. For the ECQs and PTQ, you are required to submit a narrative response addressing your specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that demonstrate your possession of the qualifications. For more information about the Executive Core Qualifications, please visit this site: https://www.opm.gov/ses/references/GuidetoSESQuals_2010.pdf

Must meet the Basic Requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual for all all-professional Engineering positions, GS-0800 or Architecture Series 0808. Candidates’ possession of a bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or architecture from an accredited college or university is preferred.

Applicants must clearly show possession and demonstrated leadership experience, normally obtained over several years by serving in positions at the GS-15 level or equivalent for each ECQ and PTQ. Failure to address and meet any of the ECQs and PTQs via the vacancy questionnaire, will eliminate you from further consideration. Review the ECQ competencies guidance and sample resumes in OPM’s Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualification.

Applicants currently serving in a Senior-Rated (SR) appointment (other than a temporary promotion), career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program and have been certified by the Office of Personnel Management do not need to address the ECQs, but must address each PTQ.

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs):

ECQ 1 – Leading Change: The ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

ECQ 2 – Leading People: The ability to lead people toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

ECQ 3 – Results Driven: The ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems and calculating risks.

ECQ 4 – Business Acumen: The ability to manage human, financial and information resources strategically.

ECQ 5 – Building Coalitions: The ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments or international organizations to achieve common goals.

Professional Technical Qualification (PTQ):

  1. Demonstrated extensive managerial level experience which involved responsibility and overall oversight for the structural, mechanical and facilities management program of an entire organization. This experience must have involved the general supervision, administration and direction of personnel who work in the various skilled trades supporting the facility management program of a significant complex of buildings.
  2. Proven direct management, administrative and program oversight for engineering, utilities management, building operations, energy conservation, life safety programs and systems, capital construction, renovation and preventive maintenance programs.
  3. Possession of exceptional experience planning, coordinating and supervising interior and exterior repair, maintenance, alteration and construction and renovation work of a significant and/or monumental complex of buildings.

Education

Applicants must meet the following Basic Requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual for General Engineering:

General Engineering, 0801

A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor’s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration.

Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.

Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

Or applicants must meet the following Basic Requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual for Architecture:

 Architecture, 0808:

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 1. 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 1 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.



Additional information

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Show a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs have evaluated the education credentials and deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course-by-course listing if selected. For further information, click here. 

Veteran's preference does not apply to AOC's senior executive positions.

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.

The 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. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. The AOC will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.

The selectee for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to become eligible for employment.

The AOC 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 and Social Security Administration records, to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If selected, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 is 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 AOC is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability.

The AOC 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 AOC makes decisions on granting reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

The AOC does not authorize moving or relocation expenses. 

All application materials become the property of the AOC.

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.

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 designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

The AOC offers:

  • Competitive salary, comprehensive retirement plan, monetary and non-monetary awards, and other employee recognition.
  • Health, dental, vision and life insurance options as well as flexible spending accounts; the government shares the cost of health and life insurance premiums.
  • Training and developmental opportunities.
  • Flexible work hours, subsidized transportation options and paid annual and sick leave and holidays.
  • Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position and work schedule. Contact the hiring agency for more information on specific benefits offered.

The Architect of the Capitol offers eligible employees opportunity to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program.

This position is authorized to earn 8 hours of annual leave per bi-weekly pay period.

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 narrative responses.  

Your resume will be evaluated to determine if you possess the ECQs and PTQs required for this position and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement.  All applicants must submit online written statements describing accomplishments that would satisfy the ECQs and PTQs. You must address each ECQ separately and are required to respond to all ECQs, unless serving in a Senior-Rated (SR) appointment (other than a temporary promotion), career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program and have been certified by the Office of Personnel Management. All applicants must address the PTQs. 

Your resume and narratives 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 with 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

Marvin Cortez
Address
Architect of the Capitol
2nd and D Street, S.W.
Washington, District of Columbia 20515
United States

Next steps

You will receive a notice generated by the USAJOBSs 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 job announcement.


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


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