Architect (Full Time)

Open and Close Dates: Apr 17, 2024 - Apr 30, 2024 Marketing Statement: The men and women of the US Department of State with their skills, character and commitment to public service, are the backbone of America's diplomacy. Personal Services Contractor employees support the foreign policy mission from offices in Washington, DC and worldwide. Join us in helping to shape a freer, more secure and prosperous world as we formulate, represent and implement US foreign policy. Choose from hundreds of career possibilities - there's something for everyone

Summary: THIS IS A NON-STATUS, NON-PERMANENT POSITION. YOU DO NOT ACQUIRE A COMPETITIVE OR EXCEPTED SERVICE STATUS FROM THIS POSITION.


This position is located in the Bureau of Overseas Operations, Program Development, Coordination and Support Directorate, Office of Design and Engineering (DE), Architectural Design Division. The Program Development, Coordination and Support Directorate is responsible for: (1) the design, coordination, and management of OBO’s construction and renovation programs.



Major Duties: The contractor serves as a senior Architect and Design Coordinator, responsible for planning and coordinating architectural requirements pertaining to the programming, design, construction, acquisition, repair, and maintenance of U.S. Government owned and operated buildings in foreign countries which house and accommodate personnel and programs of the Foreign Service and other U.S. Government agencies.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

As an Architect (Design Manager) assigned to the Office of Design Engineering’s Architectural Design Division (DE/AD), the employee performs a wide range of expert level architectural functions that support the construction of safe, secure, and fully functional facilities at overseas diplomatic posts throughout the world.

The employee coordinates technical requirements pertaining to the site selection, programing, design, construction, acquisition, repair, and maintenance of United States Government (USG)-owned and operated buildings in foreign countries that house and accommodate personnel and programs of the Foreign Service and other USGT agencies. In furtherance of these responsibilities, the employee performs tasks and assignments that typically include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Serves as the Subject Matter Expert in the evaluation of new embassy and new consulate compound sites.

• Participates in the evaluation and negotiation of architectural and engineering (A/E) contracts; acts as an advisor to commissioned architects and as technical coordinator of projects between OBO and posts.

• Reviews and generates technical language for the Bureau’s design standards and other criteria documents; and participates in negotiations with host country officials on matters pertaining to design approvals, construction permits, and zoning changes.

• Participates in the analysis of bids and provides input into recommendations for award of construction projects.

• Develops guidelines and formats for presentations; coordinates presentations with A/E firms and contractors for formal design reviews (Industry Advisory Group, Senior Management Review, OBO’s Director’s Presentation, etc.); and summarizes meetings and documents the record.

Contract Administration Responsibilities:

The employee serves as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for assigned projects, exerting control over the management of government funds in design of overseas facilities and assists the Contracting Officer (CO) in the administration of the contract. Typically, COR-FAC duties include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Approves payment of government funds and authorized expenditures; accepts accountability for transfer of funds, procurements, and other financial-related decisions.

• Plans, conducts, and/or directs conduct of initial architectural design studies or analyses aspects of design activities that may be contracted out.

• Prepares or oversees preparation of statements of work and other documentation in support of proposed work to be contracted.

• Works with OBO’s Office of Cost Management (COST) to develop cost estimates and independent government estimates (IGEs).

• Performs detailed intermediate and final professional inspections architectural design and addresses quality assurance issues.

Who May Apply: Job Status: Full-Time, Non-Permanent, Temporary Non-Status Position Duration Appointment: 1 year renewable for 4 years Conditions of Employment: Must be a U.S. CitizenMust be able to Obtain and Maintain a Secret ClearanceIncumbent will be subject to random drug testingStatement of Employment & Financial Interest required prior to appointment.Overseas travel is requiredRelocation expenses will NOT be paid. Education: Basic Requirements:

Degree: 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:

1. 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.



2. 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.

When an applicant has less than one year of specialized experience as described in the announcement, he or she may combine successfully completed graduate-level education with experience to meet the total qualification requirements. Generally, 18 graduate semester hours is equivalent to 1 full-time year of graduate study (your school and department determine what constitutes 1 full time year of graduate study). The percentage of specialized work experience (for example, 6 months equals 50%) and the percentage of graduate study (for example, 9 graduate hours for a GS-07 equals 50% where 18 graduate hours constitute a full time year) must total at least 100%.

Requirements: Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements, including education, and any selective placement factors described below by the closing date of this announcement. Education may only be substituted in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to be credited towards qualifications. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials.

Qualifications: IN ADDITION to meeting one of the basic qualifications requirements listed above, the applicant MUST have at least 1 full year of specialized architectural experience that has equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

· Experience leading the development, technical coordination, and execution of multi-year plans for complex, highly sensitive Design/Construction projects that support US Diplomatic Missions overseas.



Experience writing statements of work; analyzing, reviewing and writing reports on complex architectural problems, evaluating specifications and coordinating consultants.



Experience managing and prioritizing multiple projects in various phases of design and construction concurrently; communicating design to audiences of varying levels of knowledge.



Highly developed oral and written communications skills in order to confer with and advise employees, contractors, and officials throughout the Department on assigned projects; articulate and defend recommendations and decisions; produce coherent reports on complex, highly technical architectural problems.

Note: All applicants MUST submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you WILL lose consideration for this position.

Benefits: