Summary
This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol, Office of the Chief of Operations, Senate Office Buildings (SOB), Facilities Support Division. As an Architect you will perform a variety of duties related to the development of architectural designs and writing detailed specifications for new construction, interior and exterior alterations, restorations, additions and repairs to existing buildings and structures under the purview of the SOB and involving interior environmental design.
Duties
The individual selected for this position will perform the following duties: Architectural Advice and Guidance Prepares architectural requirements and criteria for complex, high value projects for construction or modification of facilities. Provides guidance and technical advice to lower-grade employees and specialists within the organization in the performance of related assignments and is available to those employees for consultation on assigned projects. Resolves exceptionally difficult technical matters, as well as issues involving historic preservation, that can be overcome by changes in approach, criteria or requirements. Provides direction and guidance to ensure that jurisdiction work complies with the International Building Code (IBC), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Life Safety Code (NFPA 101). Coordinates with and advises Members of Congress, their staffs and other Congressional staff members on-interior design factors such as space planning, layout and utilization of furnishings Designs large multi-purpose_, multiple-phase facilities or structures design projects. Architectural Requirements and Specifications Analyzes and defines the requirements of multi-phase projects; Provides extensive coordination with other project and program areas, integrating concurrent standards, guides and precedents. Leads the development of requirements with customers, analyzes requirements and design criteria, develops cost estimates, assures validation of requirements and evaluates schedules and the feasibility of project accomplishment. Develops and/or reviews specifications and cost estimates for construction of projects; Guides and evaluates efforts of design and construction personnel and assesses technical progress in relation to the established schedule and resources allotted; Reviews plans, specifications and cost estimates for technical adequacy. Reviews and coordinates technical reviews with other architectural and engineering disciplines within the AOC for submittal during Schematic, Concept and Construction Documents development; Chairs review conferences. Resolves controversial design issues while ensuring conformance with contract specifications. Reviews design documents for compliance with the approved concept and applicable codes, standards and criteria. Design Work Coordinates the development of designs for large multi-purpose, multiple-phase projects. Resolves unusual demands caused by extraordinary urgency, public interest, economic constraints or environmental requirements. Serves as an expert design architect for facilities or structures that utilize new technology and are considered to advance the state-of-the-art in architectural design; Responsibilities include space and furniture layout, design and selection of furniture and furnishings, color coordination, lighting and preparation of drawings and of specifications. Independently prepares preliminary and final designs and construction drawings and specifications; Leads field inspections and takes field dimensions and profiles of existing facilities as required to prepare preliminary and final drawings for alterations, restoration, addition and repairs; Computes floor areas and summarizes space availability and allocation. Reviews architectural plans and specifications for adequacy and feasibility. Provides extensive coordination with other project and program areas, integrating concurrent standards, guides and precedents Participates in the development of requirements with customers, analyzes requirements and design criteria, develops cost estimates, assures validation of requirements and evaluates schedules and the feasibility of project accomplishment. Performs independent studies and assessments to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of operations and recommends improvements to management. Develops or reviews specifications for construction of various projects including design-build efforts and design-bid-build projects. Develops and reviews project schedules to ensure reasonable, and timely implementation of the design and construction of various projects. Serves as a primary client contact for the Senate's interior decorating program for Member offices. Project Management Serves as project manager/architect in directing design teams of interdisciplinary engineering specialists to plan and control the advanced architectural aspects involved in the design and construction of extensive projects of an unusual and/or unique nature. Performs contract administration activities for significant, highly specialized procurements. Ensures the entire scope of work is performed and that all quality requirements are strictly enforced. Performs a variety of pre-award, post-award and post-contract activities. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Requirements
To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below: A citizen of the United States; A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B); A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States.
Education
In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirements for this position, applicants must possess the following: Education Requirement for Architects: Bachelor's Degree 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. 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. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part of foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course-by-course listing if selected.
How you will be evaluated
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: Broad Knowledge of architectural design, concepts, principles, and practices – Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and practices used in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of buildings or other structures, taking into consideration aesthetic and functional concerns. Project Management - Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, construction work, and contractor performance. Contracting Administration - Knowledge of various types of contracts, techniques, or requirements (for example, Federal Acquisitions Regulations) for contracting and contract negotiation and administration. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Written Communication - Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience. 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). You may preview questions for this vacancy.