Architect

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DOD workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: Serves as an Architect with the Directorate of Public Works in the Planning and Engineering Division, Project Execution Branch. Prepare in-house architectural designs by evaluating project objectives. Coordinate with structural, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering disciplines to ensure all project requirements are met. Prepare necessary drawings, specifications, estimates, and design analysis for negotiated procurement. Review architectural designs submitted by Architect-Engineer (A-E) firms and other agencies for compliance with applicable criteria, regulations, and codes. Maintain and apply a thorough working knowledge of computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) systems for the preparation and review of in-house and A-E designs. Prepare design revisions, amendments, and change orders for plans and specifications out for bid or under construction. Provide technical assistance to Construction Division representatives to resolve design problems or prepare contract modifications. Conduct field investigations of project sites and existing building conditions for review to incorporate design solutions. Provide architectural direction and guidance to other employees. Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement for Architect: A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in architecture or in a 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 B. 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: (1) Related Curriculum • Degree in architectural engineering provided the completed course work in architectural engineering provided knowledge, skills, and abilities substantially equivalent to those provided in the courses specified in statement A above, or (2) Experience: 1 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 any college courses, 5 years of such experience is required. This experience must have demonstrated that you have acquired a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional architecture. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Specialized Experience GS-07: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) assist in preparing basic architectural drawings from detailed instructions provided by senior architects; 2) assist in interpreting basic computations and calculations to complete projects; 3) assist with analyzing problems by applying findings from field investigations.This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05). OR Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Architecture. OR Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on: (1) Class Standing • Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR (2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) • Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR (3) Honor Society Membership • Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achshonor.org/). OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. Specialized Experience GS-09: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) use basic architectural techniques to complete architectural designs; 2) interpret basic computation and calculations to complete projects; 3) assist in the analysis of problems based on field investigations or studies of construction and design conditions. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07). OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Architecture. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. Specialized Experience GS-11: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) develop and prepare complete design documents for renovations or small new constructions; 2) review and analyze designs prepared by contractors for accuracy and compliance with project objectives and regulatory codes; 3) resolve common design and construction problems by providing technical advice and recommending modifications in construction phase.This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09). OR Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Architect. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. Specialized Experience GS-12: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) manage comprehensive in-house design projects coordinating with others to ensure objectives and schedules are met; 2) lead reviews of contractor design packages submitted ensuring adherence to regulations and architectural principles; 3) prepare and authorize design revisions to resolve conflicts and accommodate changes in service requirements.This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11 or above). Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/