Interior Designer

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to ICTAP and CTAP eligibles only.

• Provides, coordinates and oversees space planning and interior design services.
• Applies knowledge from interior construction, contracting, facility operation, material safety, aesthetics, psychology, ergonomics and project management fields.
• Supervises and monitors contractor work performance for quality and adequacy.
• Prepares or reviews drawings prepared by Architectural Engineers (finish schedules, renderings, graphics, signage, resource coordination, furniture specifications, architectural detailing and coordination of color and finishes).
• Explains services to be provided, the process to be followed, and the benefits derived through a properly designed office space.
• Presents oral, written and graphic proposals to secure project approvals.
• Works with technical independence under general supervision.
• Responsible for aesthetic excellence of work performed, including managing or determining costs or adhering to pre-determined budgets.
• Develops a furniture replacement program.
• Schedules areas for replacement and/or upgrading and determines the furnishings and accessories necessary to complete schemes.
• Evaluates and determines the disposition of new, excess, replacement and damaged furniture/furnishings, coordinating the pick up and delivery of such items.
• Maintains records on delivery, storage and disposition of items.
• Prepares paperwork for purchase repairs, re­distribution and turn-ins.
• Maintains a complete interior plan, determines appropriate locations for all signs, compiles message lists, and coordinates all phases of projects.
• Develops interior design standards, coordinating all aspects of the program, which permits the refurbishing of an area in whole or in part.
• Develops and maintains ,a comprehensive resource library of interior design literature.
• Maintains good working relationships with commercial vendors.
• Prepares equipment and furniture listings for all major renovations and construction projects.
• Evaluates existing furniture and equipment and makes appropriate determination of items needed for projects.
• Reviews all renovation and construction projects and provides design consultation.
• Develops and maintains a systematic record of all interior design projects.
• Prepares and maintains interior design budget, developing cost estimates for projects in budget submission.
• Ensures that approved standard colors and materials are used in renovations and construction projects.
• Produces drawings to establish feasibility of proposed spaces changes.
• Designs and develops written specifications for fabrications and installations.
• Conducts systematic evaluations of program aspects and advises of defects and required actions.
• Supervises interior design students in accomplishment of design projects.
• Makes purchases using purchase cards.
• Reconciles payment charges.
• Ensures goods and services ordered are received.
• Submits a 5-Year Interior Design Capital Plan.
• Serves as a Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR).
• Updates Project Tracking Reports (PTR).
• Coordinates all furniture moves with a contracted vendor.
• Oversees all halls and walls information installations.
• Coordinates and consults with representatives in architecture, mechanical structural engineering and landscape architecture fields.
• Formulates working drawings and specifications based on experienced knowledge of textiles, casework, floor covering, wall covering, interior directional graphics and paint properties fields.
• Inspects physical installations or projects for correct execution.
• Initiates and answers correspondence.
• Speaks to the availability costs of materials, maintains knowledge of all sources through correspondence, contact with manufacturers' representatives, and visits to markets and meetings.
• Evaluates new materials and products offered by manufacturers and makes recommendations to their suitability.
• Determines appropriate design and decor.
• Maintains complete interior graphics program and develops furniture replacement program.
• Originates orders, and evaluates the deposition of new, excess, and replacement furnishings.
• Conducts in-depth studies and analysis of areas to establish requirements so that completed projects will meet practical needs and limitations.
• Reviews proposals and architectural drawings, recommending changes, adaptations, and modifications.
• Develops total interior finish and color schedule.
• Recommends approval, rejection, substitution or correction on all materials and shop drawings submitted by contractors.
• Compiles complete project data and records on color, development of the specifications and correspondence during construction and approved materials.
• Supplies information about the functional use of color and materials based on continuous research and experience.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Interior Designer/PD080310
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/31/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- 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 passage of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination.

or

Specialized Experience: Experience that required the performance of work concerned with the design and alteration of interior spaces to meet functional and aesthetic needs such as: Identify, research, creatively solve problems pertaining to function and quality of interior environment; Perform services relative to interior spaces, including programming, design analysis, space planning and aesthetics, using specialized knowledge of interior construction, building systems/components, building codes, equipment, materials, and furnishings; Prepare drawings/documents relative to design of interior spaces to enhance/protect health, safety, and welfare of public; Coordinate and integrate mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering disciplines within interior context; Manage projects, develop cost estimates, evaluate bid proposals, review construction documents, participate in on-site construction visits, conduct pre- and post-occupancy evaluations, develop standards for efficient space management, etc.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples include, but are not limited to: Supervise/monitor contractor work performance; Explain services provided/processes followed/benefits derived through designed spaces; Present oral/written/graphic proposals; Manage/determine costs/cost estimates; Adhere to pre-determined budgets in budget submissions; Schedule areas for replacement/upgrading; Determine materials to complete schemes; Evaluate/determine disposition of new/excess/replacement/damaged furniture/furnishings; coordinate/maintain records on pick up/delivery/storage/disposition of items; Prepare purchase repair/re­distribution/turn-ins paperwork; Maintain interior plan: Determine sign locations, compile message lists, coordinate project phases; Develop interior design standards permitting area refurbishing; Develop/maintain resource library; Maintain relationships w/commercial vendors; Prepare equipment/furniture listings for renovations/construction; Evaluate existing furniture/equipment; Review renovation/construction projects; Provide design consultation; Develop/maintain record of projects; Produce proposed space change drawings; Design/develop specifications for fabrications/installations; Conduct evaluations, advise of defects/required actions; Supervise interior design students w/projects; Purchase card use; Create 5-Year Interior Design Capital Plan; Update Project Tracking Reports; Coordinate furniture moves w/contracted vendors; Oversee information installations; Coordinate/consult w/field representatives; Formulate working drawings/specifications; Inspect physical installation/project execution; Speak to availability cost of materials; Evaluate materials/products offered by manufacturers; Determine appropriate design/decor; Maintain interior graphics program; Develop furniture replacement program; Originate orders; Evaluate deposition of new/excess/replacement furnishings; Conduct area studies/analysis; Review proposals/architectural drawings; Recommend changes/adaptations/modifications; Develop finish/color schedule; Recommend approval/rejection/substitution/correction on materials/drawings submitted; Compile project data/records; Educate on functional use of color/materials.

OR

• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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 passage of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination, or superior academic achievement. (Transcript required).

OR

• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a master's degree. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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; religions; 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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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.

Preferred Experience: Creates architectual floor plans using AutoCad software.

Physical Requirements: The work is essentially sedentary with daily physical activity to include walking, climbing, bending or stooping, to coordinate work processes, meet with contractors, manufacturer's representatives and other government agency representatives to update or establish product feasibility, adequacy, installation and specification compliance. Travel may be required to local or national trade shows, construction sites of new clinics or leased clinic space in the surrounding regions.

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/.

How you will be evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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