Duties

Summary

As an Architect/Engineer (A/E) you will be responsible for the performance of all aspects of professional architectural/engineering duties pertaining to project planning, design, construction and repair of buildings.

Location of position: National Capital Region (NCR), Public Building Service (PBS), Office of Planning and Design Quality, Washington, D.C.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

GS-09 Duties : This is a career ladder position you will Assists higher graded personnel on portions of the overall engineering/architectural project management responsibility for the projects, including business management of the building projects from the preliminary identification stage through initiation, planning, execution and project closeout stages. Assignments encompass limited managerial responsibilities concerned with assisting in planning, organizing, controlling, coordinating, reviewing, and recommending or approving design, construction and related work. Participates with agency personnel who are responsible for defining the goals of the projects, working with them, as a trainee, to prepare a Project Management Plan for accomplishing such goals. Assists in preparing assigned portions of schedules for complete projects, and reports on project status. Assists with pre-bidding conferences with prospective bidders to inform them of contract provisions and relative responsibilities of Architect/Engineer (A/E's), developers, Lessor, and/or the Government. Assists with performance review and assessment of design development documents, including the resolution of moderately complex design problems, as well as the preparation of documents for agency officials, client agencies, and contract Architect/Engineer (A/E) firms. Conducts site investigations to determine feasibility, topography, site configuration, or condition of structure and essential data prior to initiating design. Evaluates data obtained, incorporating relevant features into design solutions. As assigned, prepares material and information for higher level personnel who negotiate contract specifications and design changes with organizational elements of the agency and contractors. Monitors effectiveness of contractors in meeting contractual requirements, technical and administrative.

GS-11 and 12 Duties: Responsible for all matters on assigned projects and for assuring that all matters conform to requirements of GSA policy, regulations, and standards. Ensures that assigned projects are technically correct for both design and construction and are in accordance with the best current practice in the industry. Prepares scopes and manages the development of plans specifications and cost estimates for building alterations, repairs, improvements, and new construction. Plans the negotiation strategy coordinates strategy with assigned organization procurement personnel and conducts negotiations with contractors to develop the contract prices and terms. Participates in the Architect/Engineer (A/E) and/or Lessor selection process and in the negotiations for design supervision and post-construction contract award services. Manages leasing, design, construction and alteration projects involving large and complex special purpose buildings. Such projects may be multi-story, multi-million dollar, office buildings, building complexes, laboratories or courthouses that involve difficult problems in engineering/architectural design, planning, coordination, code/zoning requirements, site selection, development, and layout, or other architectural/engineering related matters. Represents the agency and the Contracting Officer on Architect/Engineer (A/E), Construction Management, and Construction contracts as the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).Prepares technical reports on important and highly complex architectural/engineering matters that influence current and future programs of the region. Prepares statements of work and detailed instructions for guidance to architects and consulting engineers. Reviews technical reports and evaluates assumptions, formulas, and calculations. Assists in A/E evaluations, selection panels and negotiations.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12 - The full performance level is GS-12

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
• Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
• Register with Selective Service, if you are a male born after 12/31/1959
• Must provide College Transcript(s) with application

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

• Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.
• 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 .

This is a career ladder position, you may be selected at the GS 09, 11, or 12 grade levels. The full performance for this position is at the GS-12 grade level. If you are selected at an development level you may be non-competitively promoted at the normal line of progression and managers discretion.

For the GS 09 position salary range starts at $57,510 per year.

For the GS 11 position salary range starts at $69.581 per year.

For the GS 12 position salary range starts at $83,398 per year.

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.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGINEERS: A Degree in professional engineering OR a combination of college-level education, training, and/or technical experience. For specifics on qualifying education and/or experience - use the following link: Basic Requirements for Engineer Positions .

In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07,09,11 grade levels in the Federal service.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

In order to qualify at the GS-09 level, you must meet the basic qualifications requirements identified above and possess one of the following: Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level of the federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience applying engineering principles and concepts including professional terminology, methodology, units of measure and their interrelationships to perform developmental assignments in the field; and using design software to prepare and/or modify building drawings. OR Two full years of graduate level education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree that is directly related to the position. OR A combination of appropriate graduate level education and specialized experience that together meet the qualification requirements of this position. Superior Academic Achievement, if applicable.

If selected at this grade level : The incumbent receives training and developmental assignments working under close supervision and guidance. Projects assigned to the incumbent are of limited complexity and sensitivity.

In order to qualify at the GS-11 level, you must meet the basic qualifications requirements identified above and possess one of the following: Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the federal service. Specialized is experience defined as experience in the design, construction, repair and renovation, restoration, rehabilitation, design or construction of commercial or industrial facilities (office buildings and related structures). Such experience must demonstrate experience in coordinating the activities of architects, engineers, tenants and construction contractors. OR Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: Applicant must have three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a PhD. degree, or a PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree that is directly related to the position. OR A combination of Education and Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a combination of graduate level education and appropriate experience that together meet the qualification requirements of this position.

In order to qualify at the GS-12 level, you must meet the basic qualifications requirements identified above and possess one of the following: Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience in the design of construction projects and coordinating the activities of architects, engineers, tenant agencies and construction contractors. Experience should also include directing all, or large phases, of a project including planning, pre-design, Architect-Engineer (A-E) selection, site selection, and all design efforts; and reviewing operations to evaluate progress and compliance with design requirements. The experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position.

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://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Bargaining Unit status: NFFE

Promotion Policy

If you are selected at a grade lower than the full performance level, you may be promoted up to that grade level without having to re-apply or compete against other applicants.

Relocation Not Paid

Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.

On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:

• Recruitment incentive if you are new to the federal government
• Relocation incentive if you are a current federal employee
• Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed through this announcement or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area.

Travel expenses associated with interviews will be your responsibility.

If you are eligible under Merit Promotion, you may also apply under Vacancy Announcement #1911210KTMP. You must apply separately to each announcement to be considered for both.

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 professional Architect-Engineer principles, concepts and practices applicable to a full range of design, layout, construction, repair and/or alterations to a variety of complex structures such as office buildings, courthouses, or special use facilities.

Ability to assess project requirements and develop recommendations that meet goals, as well as integrate the goals and objectives of various other stakeholders using qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques and methodologies.

Ability to manage projects impacted by multiple competing priorities and requirements, and to successfully integrate these requirements to meet the goals and objectives outlined for development initiatives while allocating fiscal, staff, and time resources to produce maximum results.

Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. Excellent communication skills to interpret and explain highly complex and technical information to a wide range of stakeholders.

• Your answers to the questions will be used to place you in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified [If the use of 4 categories is justified, adjust verbiage].
• 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 assessments may be used, and, if so, 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.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

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

• If you are claiming veterans' preference:
  
• Copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 that shows the dates of your active duty service. If selected, a DD-214 showing your type of discharge (member 4 copy) will be required prior to appointment.
• 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:
  
• completed SF-15 form; and
• 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.
• College transcripts: If you are using some or all of your college education to meet qualification requirements for this position, you must submit a photocopy of your college transcript(s). 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.

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.