Fire Protection Engineer Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. OSCC-2025-334 Department Architect of the Capitol
Salary $120,579.00 to $156,755.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/21/2025 Close Date 8/8/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The Architect of the Capitol, Office of Safety and Code Compliance, Fire Marshal Division is seeking a reliable and detail oriented Fire Protection Engineer to review and provide recommendations for the design, construction and/or modification of fire protection systems, equipment, assemblies for buildings under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM ALL US CITIZENS. Note: 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.

Duties

Tour of duty for the position is: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This position requires periodic substantial periods of night and/or weekend work.
Hours May Change Due To Operational Needs of Management
Duties and Responsibilities:

New Construction and Renovation Planning and Evaluation

Manages fire protection engineering portions of major new construction and/or renovation projects and incorporates fire protection design practices into all phases of design and construction. Ensures adequate fire protection and life safety requirements are incorporated into all segments of the project. Reviews fire protection and life safety features of construction plans.
Specifies and analyzes project design including a wide variety of fire protection systems for fire detection, containment, extinguishment, smoke control and evaluation. The systems involve complicated integration of fire protection, mechanical, electrical and architectural systems that must interface with facility equipment and operations.

Problem Resolution

Uses advanced technical knowledge of the limitations of proven concepts and practices of fire prevention/protection systems, equipment and/or hardware to correctly evaluate problem resolution alternatives or the risk associated with using or replacing a nonconforming component. Maintains technical insight into the cause and the plan of action when damaged, failed or otherwise nonconforming hardware, equipment or systems are encountered. Prepares policy development, requirements analysis and definition, technical evaluations and makes recommendations to management within the functional and/or technical area of expertise.

Ascertains proper performance on completed projects, as required during the investigative portion of a project or, as assigned, performing thorough system testing in the form of airflow measurement and/or balance, heat transfer measurement, sound level testing and temperature measurement as applicable.

Project Management

Undertakes varied and complex project management duties in conjunction with coordinating project teams and making decisions affecting areas of responsibility that are controversial and precedent setting. Ensures proper and sufficient resource allocation by a variety of agency and contractor organizations.

Reviews and critiques designs developed by associate architects and engineers and reviews the submittals from and performance of contractors, to ensure compliance with the program/project requirements and with nationally recognized and organizationally adopted codes, standards or directives as adopted by the AOC. Provides oversight and direction to associate architects and engineers performing surveys, studies, designs, etc., for the AOC. Consults with Building Superintendents and Facilities Managers for the purpose of arranging for work to be done on the equipment in the buildings and to coordinate the work schedules to maintain the highest level of fire safety while ensuring the least inconvenience possible to the occupants of the buildings. Performs field investigations, reviews preliminary design concepts, performs or reviews design calculations, reviews final working drawings, evaluates engineered products, evaluates equipment submittals and performs construction supervision and coordination as required on each assigned project.

Data Analysis and Technical Guidance

Makes field surveys of existing fire protection, mechanical or electrical installations when required for a specific hazard or project. Analyzes large blocks of unknown or controversial data and provides expert technical advice and guidance on unique and complex problems and issues that arise in fire prevention and protection programs.

Records and reviews field data in the form of sketches, drawings, calculations or other manner for the purpose of assessing and evaluating existing or proposed fire protection systems, equipment, assemblies or buildings and their conformance to nationally recognized and organizationally adopted codes, standards or directives with jurisdictional adopted codes, specifically in the code editions adopted by the AOC.

Contractor Oversight

Examines plans, specifications and cost estimates for technical adequacy. Reports progress and/or problems. Directs necessary changes, resolves controversial problems, ensures consensus standards. Ability to evaluate and incorporate the latest developments in the field into the technical guidelines for which responsible.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • 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.

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 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

 
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 is defined as having experience in at least 5 of the following: (1) Managing in the incorporation of fire protection engineering practices in all phases of design and construction documentation and the implementation for code adherence; (2) Ensuring the incorporation of adequate fire protection and life safety requirements are in all aspects of facility management; (3) Conducting fire safety surveys of various types of buildings. (i.e.; business, child care, industrial, assembly and historic); (4) Applying numerous fire protection codes, standards, and building codes to various types of facilities. (i.e.; business, child care, industrial, assembly and historic); (5) Developing risk assessments in accordance with the Federal Fire Safety Act; (6) Reviewing drawings and specifications for building construction and renovation to ensure compliance with current standards for fire protection and life safety; and (7) Serving as a subject matter expert for providing technical advice and guidance in the field of fire protection engineering  to upper levels of management, engineers, and other personnel.

Education

***A copy of your transcript(s) will be required upon selection***

Degree: professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; 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-------------------------

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 professional 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

-Written Test

-Specified academic courses

-Related curriculum

For additional information on General Schedule Qualifications Standards for professional engineering positions, please visit:

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

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.

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.

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 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.

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:

KSA 1: Knowledge of the principles, concepts and practices of fire prevention engineering, with emphasis on code enforcement and interpretation for the Design and Construction of fire protection and life safety systems for various types of buildings.

KSA 2: Knowledge in Fire Management to provide oversight on operations, testing and maintenance of fire protection and life safety systems; and to develop working procedures and policies to achieve code compliance.

KSA 3: Knowledge in Problem Solving and resolving complicated technical issues; creating solutions and strategies especially in scenarios with vague, confusing, and contrary perspectives and conflicting goals; and providing technical guidance in the fire prevention field.

KSA 4: Knowledge of Project Management with a focus on understanding and applying fire protection engineering concepts and national codes to new construction and renovation of historic office buildings, child care facilities, underground assembly facilities and industrial utility buildings. 

KSA 5: Knowledge in communicating in Writing and verbally, to convincingly present technical fire protection engineering data, topics, conclusions and recommendations. Knowledge in collaboration when meeting and dealing with congressional staff, upper levels of management, engineers, and other personnel including the public.

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

Paulette Dixon-Ellis
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
Paulette.Dixon-Ellis@aoc.gov
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 job announcement.


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


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