Duties

Summary

As an Architect (Accessibility Officer), you will serve as senior Architect for PBS and the region's Program Manager for the Accessibility Program. You will also support and contribute to the mission and provide leadership in architectural design for GSA's regional design and construction program.

Location of position: General Services Administration, National Capital Region, Public Buildings Service (PBS), Office of Planning and Design Quality, 1800 F Street, Washington, DC

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Your major duties are as follows:

• Serve as a senior Architect, Subject Matter Expert (SME), and Regional Accessibility Officer for the region conducting design and reviews of project formulation, scope of work (SOW), design submissions, and advising GSA project teams on design quality, policies, and procedures.
• Ensure that assigned projects are technically correct for both design and constructions, along with the latest developments and best current practices in the industry and that they are fully coordinated and compatible with other architectural/engineering disciplines of the project.
• Prepare independent government estimates (IGE) and review contractor's proposals (A/E, CM, and Specialty Contractor).
• Analyze contractor's claims and perform special services and investigations as required and related to A/E discipline.
• Maintain liaison with representatives of PBS, other agencies, contract architects and engineers, contractors and occasionally with state and local government authorities and with material suppliers and manufacturers.
• Serve as a recognized technical specialist and consultant regarding barrier free and accessible design for people with disabilities.
• Provide authoritative information on accessibility subjects within the agency and to other federal agencies.
• Make recommendations that influence the initiation, scope and development of projects covering accessibility and provide authoritative information and advice to the regional design and construction/leasing project teams.
• Represent an agency region on national committees regarding technical standards, policies, and criteria regarding accessible design.
• Review requests for and prepare waivers and modifications of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard (ABAAS).
• Manage the Region's accessibility complaints, both officially under the ABAAS and informally with agency building occupants.
• Direct and coordinate regional plans of action to resolve accessibility complaints against agency controlled space.
• Assure that complaints are responded to thoroughly, accurately, and expeditiously. Coordinate as necessary with agency's National Accessibility Program Manager.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - May be required to travel occasionally.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

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
• Register with Selective Service, if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

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 1 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.
• Have a valid driver's license.

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-13 salary range starts at $103,690.00 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 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.

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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is professional architectural experience in preparing the scope of work, managing the development of plans, specifications and cost estimates for building alterations, repairs, improvements and new construction; reviewing, inspecting and directing the work as it proceeds. Such experience must also include experience in the area of designing accommodations and addressing issues for individuals with disabilities in compliance with the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard.

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: NA

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

Additional vacancies may be filled from this announcement as needed; through other means; or not at all.

If you are eligible under Merit Promotion, you may also apply under Vacancy Announcement # 21NRCA068LBMP. 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 in the professional field of architecture, including space planning, designing, construction contractors and monitoring performance.

Knowledge of the Architectural Barriers Act and the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard.

Knowledge of state-of-the-art architectural design software/computer systems, in order to review deliverables prepared by consultants, modify documents, and prepare new documents.

Knowledge of and experience with the International Building Code (IBC) requirements for accessibility.

Skill in negotiation techniques, finesse, and diplomacy in dealing with individuals having extreme disabilities who are in difficult or very complicated situations.

Skill in oral and written communication, in order to facilitate high-level issues and initiatives.

• Your answers to the questions will be used to place you in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified
• 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 consideration.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

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:
(a) 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.

(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

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.

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.

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.