Smart Buildings Specialist Job

Vacancy No. 5P-2024-0058 Department Public Buildings Service
Salary $86,962.00 to $126,198.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/16/2024 Close Date 9/27/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Chicago, ILSpringfield, ILIndianapolis, INBattle Creek, MI


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

As a Smart Buildings Specialist, you will participate in supporting region-wide Smart Building initiatives, which includes the evaluation and ongoing monitoring of current building system technologies for present use in the most efficient manner.   

Location of position: Public Buildings Service, Region 5, Facilities Management & Services Programs Division.

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Duties

The Facilities Management & Services Programs Division oversees regional programs related to the management and operation of space under the jurisdiction, custody, or control of the Public Buildings Service (PBS), both federally-owned and leased. 

This position has job functions that must be executed within specific geographic locations. The official duty station is a federal facility, leased space, or an alternative worksite (typically the employee’s home) within the specified geographic area. Positions include routine telework that are geographically specific to: Chicago, IL; Springfield, IL; Indianapolis, IN; Milwaukee, WI; Detroit, MI; Battle Creek, MI; Grand Rapids, MI; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; Columbus, OH; Minneapolis, MN; St. Paul, MN and Fort Snelling, MN.  If you are selected for this position, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within 45 days. At that time, you may be eligible to request to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Assists in monitoring the implementation of new building technologies for designated facilities; including Building Automation Systems (BAS) used in the construction, modernization, and reprogramming of existing systems to ensure compliance with the regional program goals.
  • Review of project specifications and network diagrams to ensure building system design specifications are in conformance with program policies and requirements and include best Building Monitoring and Control (BMC) technology in context of building and tenants needs.
  • Plans, organizes, and implements a variety of Senior Smart Building projects. Inspects building systems to monitor performance and status of Smart Building (SB) upgrades.
  • The incumbent shall be responsible for coordinating with key stakeholders including the PB-ITS Building and Energy Systems team, starting with project planning and sourcing, for applicable contract and implementation requirements.
  • Collaborates with regional peers and senior Smart Building (SB) specialists to contribute towards regional success with Smart Building (SB) program objectives and may be responsible for program compliance or a subset of the program.
  • Monitor monthly individual building energy usage to ensure usage reduction goals are on target with program objectives. Provides recommendations to minimize energy usage and associated costs.

Requirements

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
  • Direct Deposit of salary check to financial organization required.

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
  • Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
  • Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
  • Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee.  We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.

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.

For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here

The GS-12 salary range starts at $86,962 per year.  

Salary is determined by the location for which you are selected.

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.  

To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in the Federal service. 

Specialized experience is technical experience in the implementation and use of building automation systems and building analytic programs, including installation, commissioning and ongoing user support to maximize benefits of systems. This experience must include collaborating with IT services staff to address systems integration issues and providing solutions to senior management regarding such systems and programs.

Education

Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:   https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ 

Additional information

- This position is eligible for the bargaining unit
If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage.
Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.
Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.
If you are eligible under Merit Promotion, you may also apply under Vacancy Announcement: 5P-2024-0057. You must apply separately to each announcement to be considered for both.
GSA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility that goes beyond our compliance with EEO regulations including: 
  • Valuing and embracing diversity, promoting equity, inclusion and accessibility, and expecting cultural competence; and
  • Fostering a work environment where all employees, customers and stakeholders feel respected and valued.
Our commitment is: 
  • Reflected in our policies, procedures and work environment;
  • Recognized by our employees, customers and stakeholders; and
  • Drives our efforts to recruit, attract, retain and engage the diverse workforce needed to achieve our mission.

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.

You will have access to many benefits including:

  • Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
  • Life insurance coverage with several options
  • Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
  • Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Transit and child care subsidies
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Long-term care insurance
  • Training and development

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.

We will use a method called Category Rating to assess your application.  Here’s how it will work:

You will be scored on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities:

  • Knowledge of building systems including not only advanced BAS, but also HVAC, lighting, and other systems.
  • Ability to analyze and recommend changes to inconsistent policy, regulations, procedures, and requirements with program objectives.
  • Skill and ability to recognize, comprehend and recommend foreseeable benefits of integrating building systems and leveraging the General Services Administration (GSA) network pertaining to energy conservation, reduced operating costs, tenant comfort, information security, etc.
  • Working knowledge of construction blueprints and IT architectural renderings, including riser diagrams.
  • Knowledge of and skill in applying project management principles and techniques including developing plans and schedules, estimating resource requirements, etc. to successfully coordinate with formal and informal work teams.
  • Knowledge of IT systems, remote access technology and the GSA network (e.g. Local and Wide Area Network) used to install, configure, integrate and manage building systems including: network architecture, topology, data formats, and communication protocols necessary for continuity of operations.
  • Knowledge of IT and BAS sufficient to analyze BAS/SB performance, if integration and interoperability and to communicate technical requirements to non-technical personnel.
  • Knowledge of requirements, objectives, and performance measures concerning operational excellence including but not limited to energy efficiency through sustainability efforts to integrate key Public Buildings Service (PBS) Facilities Management initiatives to the Smart Building (SB) Program and ensure performance of assigned facilities to support regional efforts and goals.

Your answers to the questions will be used to place you in one of the following categories and standard score ranges:

  • Best Qualified = Candidates scoring between 95 - 100
  • Well Qualified = Candidates scoring between 85 - 94 (Well Qualified for CTAP/ICTAP)
  • Qualified = Candidates scoring between 70 - 84

We will verify your answers to the questions in your resume.  If your resume doesn’t support your answers, we may lower your score, which could place you in a lower category.

Within each category, veterans will receive selection priority over non-veterans.

Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle, e.g., the minimum qualification requirements. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions.

If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan(ICTAP/CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

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

Your resume showing applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.

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 and the dates of your active duty service.
(b) If you are claiming 10-point preference or derived preference (a spouse, widow or widower, or parent of a deceased or disabled veteran), submit both of the following in addition to the DD-214:  (1) completed SF-15 form; and (2) proof of your entitlement (refer to SF-15 for complete list).

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).

If you are 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.  

How to Apply

Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application.  For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job.

If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network or device. Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJOBS to your GSA application. 

To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement.

  • Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application.
  • Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process.
  • Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this vacancy.
  • Note: Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process).

Need Assistance? 

  • Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact mgshelp@monster.com or 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays
  • Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline

You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions.

Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.

Agency contact information

Theresa Gibbs
Phone
(312) 353-8177
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
theresa.gibbs@gsa.gov
Address
GSA, Public Buildings Service
General Services Administration (GSA)
Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)
1800 F Street NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After the closing date/deadline:

  1. ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Applicant eligibility and qualifications are reviewed.
  2. REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: Eligible/Qualified applicants are referred to management for review and possible interview.
  3. SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If a selection is made, a Tentative Offer is extended to the selectee and suitability and/or security background investigation is conducted.
  4. FINAL JOB OFFER: A final job offer is made (typically within 40 days after the closing date/deadline for applications).
  5. FINAL COMMUNICATION TO APPLICANTS: Once the position is filled, we will notify you of your status. You may also check your application status by logging into USAJOBS and clicking “Track this Application” on the Applicant Dashboard.

Thank you for your interest in working for U.S. General Services Administration!


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