Duties

Summary

This position is in the Office of Mission Support.

If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement.

About the Office of Mission Support: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-mission-support

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

At the entry level of this position, you will:

• Exercise technical responsibility as project Officer for design and construction projects nationwide. Assist in the coordination of all aspects of projects, i.e., architectural design, engineering, sustainability, health and safety, security, etc.
• Serve as sustainability liaison project manager on assigned projects from design conception to construction completion. Prepare documentation for contracts and reviews invoices.
• Review and comment on the Program of Requirements, which presents the functional needs to be satisfied by proposed projects that include the design criteria and technical recommendations pertaining to the selection of materials and systems for the accomplishment and/or consideration by the Architect and Engineering firm. Conduct design reviews of new construction and renovation Architect/Engineering drawings and specifications to make recommendations on the evaluation of the proposed design unique to research laboratory and special purpose facilities.
• Participate in special architectural/engineering studies to solve unique problems, especially those related to research laboratory facilities, and to establish facility design and construction standardization; and to establish facility design and construction standardization; and incorporates new methods of construction based upon special investigation into the standardization of building materials and design.
• Meet with other agencies; commercial Architect/Engineering firms; city, county, and state officials; and in contact with industrial, commercial, and other public officials concerning agency projects. Keep informed of the latest trends and developments in architecture and laboratory and high tech/sustainable/design, as well as in other related areas of science and engineering, and investigates other facilities possessing features of particular interest in relation to current projects.

When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses.

You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may travel up to 25% of each month.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
• Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section.
• You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
• EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
• You must be a U.S. citizen.

If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.

If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.

This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.

You must meet time in grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:

To qualify for the GS-12 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-11 level defined as assisting in the coordination of the facility sustainability aspects of projects, from design conception to construction completion; solving unique problems related to research laboratory facilities and incorporates new methods of construction based upon special investigation into the building materials and design.

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

• Knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of architectural, engineering and sustainable building theories, concepts, principles, standards and methods.
• Knowledge of project management tasks including project planning, scheduling, tracking, and reporting.
• Ability to prepare independent government cost estimates.
• Ability to analyze, interpret and evaluate scientific or engineering data.
• Ability to coordinate construction projects with other engineers/architects to ensure all considerations have been addressed.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.

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, religious, 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.

If you have part-time work experience, read this: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures .

Education

You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.

A bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in architecture; or related field that included 60 semester hours of course work in architecture or related disciplines of which at least (1) 30 semester hours were in architectural design, and (2) 6 semester hours were in each of the following: structural technology, properties of materials and methods of construction, and environmental control systems.

or

Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the arts and sciences underlying professional architecture, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the architectural principles, methods, and techniques and their applications to the design and construction or improvement of buildings. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by at least one of the following:

Related Curriculum: Degree in architectural engineering may be accepted as satisfying in full the basic requirements, provided the completed course work in architectural engineering provided knowledge, skills, and abilities substantially equivalent to those provided in the courses specified in paragraph A. The curriculum for a degree in either architecture or architectural engineering covers function, esthetics, site, structure, economics, mechanical-electrical, and other engineering problems related to the design and construction of buildings primarily (but not exclusively) intended to house human activities. The courses required for a degree in architecture generally place emphasis upon planning, esthetics, and materials and methods of construction, while the courses for an architectural engineering degree place equal or greater weight on the technical engineering aspects such as structural systems, mechanical systems, and the properties of materials. Because of this difference in emphasis, persons with degrees in architecture may have a preference for work assignments that offer greater opportunities for them to express their artistic and creative abilities. As a result, they may be more concerned with planning and design aspects of architecture, and persons with degrees in architectural engineering may be more engaged in aspects emphasizing technical engineering considerations.

Experience: An applicant lacking a degree in architecture must have had l year of experience in an architect's office or in architectural work for each year short of graduation from a program of study in architecture. In the absence of college courses, 5 years of such experience is required. This experience must have demonstrated that the applicant has acquired a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional architecture.

For information about accreditation requirements, visit EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures .

Additional information

This position is in the bargaining unit.

Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures

EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures .

Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed above.

This position has portable work. If selected for this position, you may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager. Telework is available based on agency policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement which may not allow for full-time telework. NOTE: The agency is currently utilizing maximum telework flexibilities due to COVID. Once normal operations resume, you will be required to report to the location stated in this announcement.

If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications section. If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the online assessment. Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for the position and an applicable score assigned.

We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. We will evaluate your qualifications and eligibility and notify you if you meet minimum qualification requirements. If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments.

NOTE: We do not require a separate statement responding to the competencies, also referred to as Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

Documents to submit online (you should redact your social security number, date of birth, and other personal information):

-Resume clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties and Qualifications sections. Your experience description needs to be clear/specific--we may not make assumptions regarding your experience.

-Responses to online assessment questionnaire (must complete online--it's not a document you upload).

-College transcripts - must submit unofficial transcripts or list of courses that includes school attended, school address, course titles, grades earned, completion dates, department, and quarter/semester hours earned. (Official transcripts aren't required at the time of application; if you're selected, you must provide official transcripts before you start work.) IF EDUCATION WAS COMPLETED AT A FOREIGN INSTITUTION: You must submit an equivalency evaluation with your application as described here: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures

-Veterans: DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service), VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (%), and SF-15 (use current form: SF-15 ), if applicable (see page 2 of SF-15 for documents that can be submitted in lieu of DD-214/VA letter); active duty service members: submit certification from the armed forces documenting active duty dates, expected discharge/release date, campaign medals/badges, and character of service (certification is any written document from the armed forces certifying you're expected to be discharged/released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after you submit the certification). If you're a veteran with a disability and want to be considered for employment through the Schedule A noncompetitive process, provide documentation as indicated in the noncompetitive appointment bullet below.

-Displaced Federal employees (ICTAP/CTAP): most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, tenure, and duty station.

-Current/Former Federal Employees: You must submit Notification(s) of Personnel Action (SF-50) that includes Position Title, Grade or Level, and Duty Station. SF-50(s) must prove you're eligible to apply and have met time-in-grade:
• ELIGIBILITY - You must provide SF-50(s) demonstrating you meet the criteria in the Clarification from the Agency section at the top right of this announcement (the most common eligibility requirements are Competitive Status [Block 24/Tenure and Block 34/Position Occupied on the SF-50] and In the Commuting Area [Block 39/Duty Station on the SF-50]).
• TIME-IN-GRADE - If you're applying for a higher grade, you must provide SF-50(s) demonstrating you have completed a minimum of 52 weeks in a position at the next lower grade. The next lower grade is identified in the Qualifications section of this announcement. (Some SF-50 examples that can prove you've met time-in-grade include promotions, within-grade increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job.)
-Current Federal Employees: You must submit your most recent completed annual performance appraisal dated within the last 18 months (if it isn't dated within the last 18 months or you haven't received a performance appraisal, you must upload a signed/dated explanation why). You only need to upload the page that shows overall rating and manager/supervisor's signature, not the entire document. If your performance appraisal was conducted virtually, a supervisory email certifying your end-of-year review/rating was completed and the date it occurred is acceptable documentation in lieu of the supervisor's signature on the performance appraisal document; the overall rating must also be provided on either the email or the performance appraisal document.

-If you are applying for a noncompetitive appointment, you must submit additional documents to prove your eligibility:
• Schedule A - To be considered for employment through the Schedule A noncompetitive process for people with severe physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and intellectual disabilities, provide documentation from a licensed medical professional; a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist; or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a US territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Documentation must be on letterhead, include a signature, and state you're eligible for employment under the Schedule A hiring authority, 5 CFR 213.3102(u). For more information: Schedule A Hiring Authority and Sample Letters
• Other - Provide documentation that supports your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment.
Learn more about noncompetitive appointments: Special Appointment Authorities

Learn more about submitting documentation: Uploading Documents

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.