Duties

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-09 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance and availability of higher level work.

The major duties include but are not limited to:

• Plans and implements a comprehensive Interior Design Program which includes providing complete, from concept to installation, interior design services for the organization to include satellite facilities;
• Provides technical expertise to coworkers and contractors and routinely coordinates with engineers, architects and other designers to ensure compliance with VA regulations and facility design criteria;
• Plans, specifics, writes procurement packages, supervises installation and acts as the contracting officer's representative for all furniture procurements within the facility;
• Works with direct supervisor to coordinate and maintain a schedule of short- and long-range interior improvement projects for the facility through the 5-year interior design plan and other programs to identify existing and future project needs;
• Works with direct supervisor to determine priorities and utilize an annual interior design budget in recurring funds and budgeting projects;
• Develops the interior/exterior signage and wayfinding plan for the facility to comply with "VA Signage Guide" on the Technical Information Library (TIL);
• Represents the facility at various design-trade functions and maintains an effective rapport with design-industry vendors and/or representatives;
• Maintains an interior design file system;
• Responds to requests, complaints, etc. related to interior design and furniture moves;
• Participates in planning and coordinating moves with move team, utility shutdowns, phases and other requirements for construction projects;
• Executes activations of construction projects of all sizes and scopes with a variety of projects ranging from administrative areas to more complex clinical spaces;
• Advises and implements plan on adequacy and adaptability of a cohesive space including furniture layout, general size, fit and code compliance;
• Coordinates facility paint, flooring and ceiling/lighting schedule with appropriate construction crews;
• Participates in all committees that significantly impact the Interior Design Program;
• Provides oversight for the work performed by contractors and vendors by planning, scheduling and coordinating the work, determining material, equipment needed to accomplish the work, correlating, reviewing and evaluating the work; and,
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements: The work of this position can vary from seated at a desk in front of a computer to extensive walking throughout the facility/grounds (interior and exterior) and visitation to construction sites and several offsite facilities. Work may require some lifting (
Note: A current, valid state-issued driver's license is preferred to perform the official duties of the position.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Position Description/PD#: Interior Designer/PD20034A

Requirements

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
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/07/2022.

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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.

NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials for education substitution. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.

To qualify for this position at the GS-9 grade level, you must meet one of the following:

Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of an Interior Designer at a development level, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

Specialized experience GS-09: Performing duties similar to that of a GS-11 grade level but of a more limited scope and with less independence; Specialized Experience GS-09: Design and alteration of interior spaces to meet functional and aesthetic; identifying, researching and creatively solving problems pertaining to the function and quality of the interior environment; performing services relative to interior spaces, including programming, design analysis, space planning and aesthetics; knowledge of interior construction, equipment, materials and furnishings; reading blue prints, preparing drawings and documents relative to the design of interior spaces to enhance and protect the health, safety and welfare of the public; managing projects, developing cost estimates, evaluating bid proposals, reviewing construction documents; conducting pre- and post-occupancy evaluations, developing standards for efficient space management, etc.

~OR~

Education: Successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B., J.D., if related, 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. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the Interior Designer position.

~OR~

Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet total experience 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.

~OR~

NCIDQ Examination: Successfully passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination. NOTE: If attempting to qualify based on passage of the NCIDQ exam, you must submit a copy of your certification with your application. Certification cannot be credited without documentation.

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must meet one of the following:

Experience: You must have 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: Identifying, researching and creatively solving problems pertaining to the function and quality of the interior environment; 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; Reading blueprints; 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; coordinating and integrating the mechanical, electrical and structural engineering disciplines within the interior context; 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.

~OR~

Education: Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related, 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. Such education 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. ~OR~

Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet total experience 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. \

~OR~

NCIDQ Examination: Successfully passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination. NOTE: If attempting to qualify based on passage of the NCIDQ exam, you must submit a copy of your certification with your application. Certification cannot be credited without documentation.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• ARCHITECTURE
• DESIGN
• PROBLEM SOLVING
• PROJECT MANAGEMENT

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.

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/ .

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

NOTE: Transcripts should state the name of the student, name of the university and/or college, total number of credits completed, date degree awarded/conferred. Copies of Official Transcripts are accepted and are the best way to ensure your education is interpreted correctly in accordance with OPM qualification standards, but unofficial transcripts are accepted if they contain all the required information. If credit for a course is being questioned by the HR Professional performing qualifications, it is your responsibility to provide supporting descriptive information (course syllabus/descriptions) in your application package.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

This position is covered by AFGE bargaining unit. Per the AFGE Master Agreement, the Area of Consideration will be:

• 1st Area of Consideration: Current permanent Facility (including satellites)
• 2nd Area of Consideration: Current permanent VA employees (When announced outside of the agency, VEOAs must be considered on Internal Cert)
• 3rd Area of Consideration: All other Status candidates (if applicable)

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified : applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ .

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .