Clarification from the agency

Open to the Public. US citizenship is required. You must apply online to be considered for this vacancy. Please review this announcement in its entirety for specific information on how to apply.

The incumbent serves as a Senior Advisor to the Assistant Commissioner (AC), Office of Engineering, who is the Chief Architect and technical expert for the Administrator, GSA, and Commissioner, PBS, on all matters concerning Federal architecture and design. The Senior Advisor, Office of Engineering provides specialized experience on a term basis, in classical and traditional architecture to assist in technical procedures, advise on architectural standards, structural technologies, and provide guidance during design evaluations or juries, pursuant to the Executive Order, Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again.

As a Senior Advisor, the incumbent provides authoritative, visionary, and technical guidance and support to assist the Assistant Commissioner - Office of Engineering, in driving and influencing the direction of complex Federal functions associated with establishing and maintaining efficient, classical or traditional architecture in all federal GSA mandated structures. Performs technical advisory work to ensure the establishment and management of effective building programs, specialized experience, and technical innovations to shape the nation’s commitment to ensure that major Federal priorities and mandates are carried out in an effective manner while emphasizing cost-cutting, efficiency, and federal procurement reform. This position is a term Senior Leader (SL) position that is limited to three years. This position cannot be extended.

• Provides support and facilitates high level work to promote a design program which aims to produce federal buildings that reflect the best in civic architectural thought with an emphasis on traditional and classical architecture, while remaining cost-effective and sensitive to local context.

• Uses architecture and related disciplines and concepts to serve as a technical expert to support  major projects and initiatives surrounding building design, construction, and facilitates related high level technical projects.

• Develops and advises on documents for the vision competition process, including announcements, rules, instructions, project program information, and reports for review and approval by the contracting officer.

• Appoints Evaluation Boards and makes informed selections for the lead design and designer, planning the selection process through policies and procedures.

• Communicates with various stakeholders and interested parties internal and external to the Agency regarding complex project requirements. Works closely with key officials and professionals of client agencies.

Conditions of employment

• US Citizens and National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
• Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

• the exact dates you held  each job (from month/year to month/year)
• number of hours per week you worked (if part time).    

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

The SL salary range starts at $151,661- 228,000 per year for 2026 salary rates.   

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.  

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ARCHITECTS: A Degree in architecture or related field; OR a combination of college-level education, training, and/or technical experience. For specifics on qualifying education, training, and/or experience - use the following link: Basic Requirements for Architect Positions.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, all candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience. Specialized experience is defined as professional architecture experience in classically and traditionally designed architecture for construction or alteration projects involving large and complex buildings as well as coordinating the activities of multidisciplinary teams on such projects. Experience must include specialized knowledge in classical architecture, to assist in developing organizational procedures, advise on architectural standards, and provide guidance during design evaluations and/or design juries. This experience should also include planning, prioritizing, and evaluating work to be accomplished by diverse teams; and providing advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on issues related to the execution of design(s).

All applicants must meet the Mandatory Technical Competency requirements listed below to be eligible for consideration. Eligibility will be based on a clear demonstration that the applicant's training and experience are of the scope, quality and level of responsibility sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this executive position.

Note: Your 2-page resume must show possession of the Mandatory Technical Competencies (MTCs) listed below; please do not address the MTCs through submission of separate narrative responses- written narratives will not be reviewed for consideration.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

1. Demonstrated experience managing complex architectural design in excess of $300 million dollars, in applying state-of-the-art principles and practices of classical and traditional design as well as construction project management, to deliver large and small capital construction projects through all stages of project development, including:

• Pre-Design and Design Management - selection of a design team, program/scope development, budgeting and cost estimating, constructability reviews, and value engineering with emphasis and understanding of classical and traditional design principles and practices;
• Project Delivery Method Selection - design/bid/build, design/build, construction manager, construction manager as constructor, etc.;
• Project Management - budget and financial management, schedule management with competing stakeholder priorities, scope management, team management, and industry-standard software/systems/business processes on complex, high-visibility, multi-million dollar projects;
• Client/Customer Relationship Management - managing competing interests of a project's owner/developer, corporate/headquarters, real estate facilities groups, anchor tenants, end-users, industry,  government/regulatory stakeholders; and
• Industry Relationship Management - knowledge of industry best practices and companies including a focus on small businesses that provide the government the greatest value for design and construction projects.

2. Demonstrated knowledge and skill in applying theories, innovative concepts of classical and traditional professional architecture during portfolio requirements and design evaluations.

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SPF):  In addition to the qualification requirements listed above, you must also meet the following SPF, which has been identified as:  Registration as a professional architect is required. Please note: A copy of your professional registration must be included in your application. 

How you will be evaluated

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

A panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review the resumes of qualified candidates and assign a score for each of the five required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) based on the experience documented in the resume and narrative responses:

1. Knowledge and ability to solicit and actively recruit architectural firms, designers, and engineers with experience in classical and traditional architecture for practical adherence to policies and procedures.
2. Specialized knowledge of architecture and related disciplines and concepts to serve as a technical expert and/or manage major projects and initiatives surrounding Federal building design, construction, and to facilitate related high level technical projects.
3. In-depth familiarity with architectural, or equivalent technical systems, especially as they interrelate with building design, business management, concepts, principles, and practices sufficient to permit the incumbent to serve as a Program Manager of designated complex, innovative architecture and related projects from the preliminary planning stages through the design, construction, and equipment installation stages, to project development.
4. Ability to manage complex architectural design projects in excess of a billion dollars, in applying state-of-the-art principles and practices of classical and traditional design as well as construction project management, to deliver large and small capital construction projects through all stages of project development.
5. Technical knowledge and skill in applying architecture/engineering theories, innovative concepts of classical and traditional professional architecture during portfolio requirements and design evaluations.
6. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing to provide technical architecture information to persons with various backgrounds to interpret and explain highly complex and technical architecture and/or related information to a wide range of stakeholders.

Demonstration of these KSAs must be supported by your resume. Applicants should also make note of each KSA, as you will be asked to address them later in the application process

Your possession of the KSAs will place you in one of the following categories:.

• Best Qualified = 4+ out of 5 KSAs  
• Well Qualified = 3 out of 5 KSAs (Well Qualified for CTAP/ICTAP) 
• Qualified = 2 or less out of 5 KSAs.

If you are eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), your resume must clearly demonstrate experience in at least 3 of the 5 required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) to receive priority consideration.

ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.

Resume: Your resume should not exceed 2 pages and must demonstrate the specialized experience related to the position for which you are applying. Your resume must contain the following information:

• Name, address, telephone number, email address;
• Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade);
• Relevant work experience—should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how you meet the required qualifications in the job announcement.
• Education, certifications or licensures—If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure to include the required information and any required documents like transcripts.

Your resume should contain enough information to make a valid determination that you fully meet experience requirements for each grade level you are applying to.  If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible.

If you are claiming veterans preference:
(a) Copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 that shows your type of discharge, character of service and the dates of your active duty service.
(b) If you are claiming 10-point preference or derived preference (spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a deceased or disabled veteran), you must submit documentation that establishes your entitlement in addition to the DD-214:

• VA disability rating letter or other official documentation (refer to SF-15 for complete list).
• SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference

Note: If sufficient documentation is provided to establish 10-point preference, preference may be granted based on the supporting documentation even if the SF-15 is not submitted. If selected, a completed SF-15 will be required prior to appointment.

IF YOU ARE: 

Active duty military - Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted).

ICTAP/CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.

Current or Former Political Appointees: Submit SF-50.  

College transcripts: If you are using some or all of your college education to meet qualification requirements for this position, you must submit a copy of your college transcript(s). Transcripts MUST show: name of the institution, student's name, course work/degree(s) completed/conferred and dates. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.

For education completed outside the United States, also submit a valid foreign credential evaluation that substantiates possession of the required education.

Next steps

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