Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) Director, Planning and Project Development Division, Technical Support Branch and provides cost estimating support to the AOC. The selectee will serve as a Construction Representative (Cost Estimator) and perform a variety of duties regarding the development of cost estimates for new construction, interior and exterior alterations, restorations, additions and repairs to existing structures coming under the jurisdiction of the AOC.

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Responsibilities

Duties quoted at GS-12 level

MAJOR DUTIES:

Cost Analysis and Presentation

• Provides consultation to both AOC and contract architects and engineers on the cost implications of design alternatives. Estimator may be expected to review proposed project change orders and contract modification costs for conformance with original costs projections and the budgetary implications of executing the work. During construction phases of design projects, the estimator often reviews modification prices for conformance with budget and original cost projections.
• Provides a range of cost management technical services and analyses, including preparation of cost estimates for construction projects, cost planning and detailed cost estimating through planning and execution phases, preparation of Independent Government Estimates (IGE) to facilitate contract action, proposal price analysis and data management to support institutional historical database requirements.
• Analyzes project and program requirements and prepares detailed budget estimates for proposed restoration, alteration, rehabilitation, renovation and new construction. These may be developed from outline scopes of work, such as space programs, requirement reports, existing conditions assessments, surveys, standard criteria, sketches, detailed drawings, project manuals, etc. Updates cost estimates based on improved scope definition.
• Prepares professional services design fee estimates within the AOC's written guidelines. Design fee estimates include studies, full construction document designs, program of requirements and any other design type.
• Reviews contract deliverable cost engineering products including cost estimates and risk assessments produced by independent third party contract Architect and Engineering (A/E) cost engineers and AOC's staff generated estimates.. Assesses technical content of A/E cost engineer's products and services and contract deliverables.
• Analyzes and reviews cost estimates submitted by the AOC's Energy and Design Services Division, Project Management Division, Construction Division and by AOC associate A/E firms, for new work.
• Collaborates, as necessary with Project Managers and Jurisdictional Executives, assisting in the development of scopes-of-work and estimates, ensuring that sources of proposed materials are available, methods of installation are practical and costs are within budget allotments.
• Must be able to prepare probable cost memorandums that will be issued as official cost estimating documents by the agency.
• Demonstrates experience in providing independent, credible advice and recommendations to Agency management related to cost estimates and construction methods. This may include costs associated with a program or a project which addresses lifecycle costs for project alternatives that assists management in selecting an appropriate course-of-action.
• Will take into account the management requirements associated with construction and the unique historic preservation requirements of conducting work in the Capitol Complex.
• Evaluates the limits of materials and systems used in projects and make recommendations, where appropriate. Performs investigations and trade-offs involving cost, space and access and technical considerations necessary to the project. Analyzes and provides feedback on the constructability of designs.
• Utilizes current labor conditions, wages, market fluctuations, cost escalation indices, current materials availability and costs, technological changes and other construction industry trends. Includes emerging cost estimating criteria by reviewing current literature and as workload allows, attending professional meetings and visiting with peers in other organizations external to AOC.
• Will work with a scheduler in developing resource-loaded schedules, critical path schedules and analysis techniques, project progress and cost assurance processes, progress measurement and Earned Value management techniques and methodologies used to track cost and schedule performance.
• Maintains and updates the agency master cost estimating database. Stays abreast of construction industry trends. Monitors current labor conditions, wages, market fluctuations, cost escalation indices, availability and cost of materials and technology changes. Identifies sources of specialized materials or components.

Liaison for Capital Expenditures

• Analyzes and provides a full range of advisory and liaison services to support the administration of a complex budget involving a variety of program and administrative expenses relating to construction costs. Assists in preparation of capital expenditure aspects of capital improvement budget requests for agency appropriations presented to Congress.
• Prepares costs and methods reports for feasibility studies utilized by architectural and engineering design and management staff.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• You must be able to pass a drug test.
• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related KSAs.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.

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Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at OPM qualification standards

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.

Candidates for the GS-11 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the 09 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as having experience: (1) Preparing cost estimates for proposed restorations, alterations, renovations and new construction; (2) Reviewing proposed project change orders and contract modifications; (3) Developing cost proposals for proposed restorations, alterations, renovations and new construction; and (4) Assisting on recommendations related to cost estimates, cost proposals and construction methods.

Candidates for the GS-12 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the 11 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as having experience: (1) Preparing cost estimates for proposed restorations, alterations, renovations and new construction; (2) Reviewing proposed project change orders and contract modifications; (3) Developing cost proposals for proposed restorations, alterations, renovations and new construction; and (4) Providing recommendations and advice related to cost estimates, cost proposals and construction methods.

Education

Additional information

Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit OPM vet guide

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC's suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.

The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.

The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm

The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Moving expenses are not authorized.

Relocation expenses are not authorized.

Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol.

All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Review your resume and responses carefully. Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your responses to job specific self-assessment questions.

Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for this position, possession of any specialized experience, and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement. The self-assessment questions relate to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies:

KSA 1: Technical Knowledge

KSA 2: Technology Applications

KSA 3: Cost Estimator Knowledge

KSA 4: Project Management

Your responses to the self-assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating. You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions. Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume and optional cover letter. Your resume must support your answers to the self-assessment questions. Falsifying your background, education and/or experience is cause for non-selection or disqualification from further consideration.

Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the "Required Documents" section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application).

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

The Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) job application process is designed to ensure you only provide information necessary to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility for the position vacancy.

To apply for this position, you only need to submit: a) your resume and b) answers to the online vacancy assessment questionnaire. The online questionnaire contains eligibility and screening questions and other relevant information. No additional documentation or attachments are required at the time of application.

Your resume should list your education, training and work experience including job titles, employment dates, duties and accomplishments.

Nothing further is required until it is requested by AOC's Human Capital Management Division. If additional documentation is required for the position, you will be asked to provide it during the interview or selection process. At that time, you may be asked to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume.

For example, you may be asked to provide a copy of your diploma, college transcripts, or proof of Federal employment status. If the position requires licensure or certification, you will be asked to provide proof at the time of selection.

If Veterans' preference is claimed, you will be asked to submit proof (DD-214, and, if claiming a 10-point preference, a SF-15 and the proof required by that form).

Failure to provide the required documents will end further consideration and/or result in the withdrawal of any tentative job offers.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.