To meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must meet one of the following:
Specialized Experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of an Interior Designer, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is experience that required the performance of work concerned with the design and alteration of interior spaces to meet functional and aesthetic needs such as: (1) Identifying, researching, and creatively solving problems pertaining to the function and quality of the interior environment; (2) Performing services relative to interior spaces, including programming, design analysis, space planning and aesthetics, using specialized knowledge of interior construction, building systems and components, building codes, equipment, materials, and furnishings; (3) Preparing drawings and documents relative to the design of interior spaces in order to enhance and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public; (4) Coordinating and integrating the mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering disciplines within the interior context; (5) Managing projects, developing cost estimates, evaluating bid proposals, reviewing construction documents, participating in on-site construction visits, conducting pre- and post-occupancy evaluations, developing standards for efficient space management, etc. At this level applicants should possess sufficient knowledge and expertise of interior designing to provide consultation/advisory services to project managers and leaders.
~OR~
Education: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree with a major study in interior design or other field that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in interior design, interior architecture, or interior environmental design; or passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination. This education must have been obtained at an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Interior Designer position. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. If attempting to qualify based on passage of the NCIDQ exam, you must also submit a copy of your certification with your application. Certification cannot be credited without documentation.
~OR~
Combination: An equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet the total requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Interior Designer position. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
- Budget Administration
- Contract Administration
- Customer Service
- Design
- Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
- Project Management
- Safety Engineering
IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Physical Requirements: Work can normally be done while seated, as at a drawing board or computer keyboard. Frequent walking is required during field surveys and installation of project work.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.