Architect

This position is part of the Office of Management, Department of Energy. As an Architect, you will be planning and managing projects, using knowledge of principles, theories, and practices to advise and problem solve a wide variety of architecture/engineering issues.

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of “Ineligible”. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

As an Architect, you will:

• Provide architectural expertise, coordination, oversight, and direction for multiple projects throughout the Headquarters.
• Provide technical knowledge of architecture, historic preservation, and/or engineering concepts, methods, and procedures.
• Recommend appropriate action to correct undesirable conditions involving space, structure, materials, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, security, and accessibility provisions.
• Direct design development and management guidance for professional Architect/Engineer firms.
• Serve as a Contracting Officer’s Representative or equivalent for contracts and task orders.
• Provide appropriate design direction to Architect/Engineer firms or appropriate construction direction to construction contractors.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

1. 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

2. Combo 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 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 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.

In addition to meeting the education requirement above, candidates must possess the specialized experience below.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate’s online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following

1. Supporting project management of building design, construction, renovation or infrastructure projects throughout the project lifecycle.
2. Performing architectural technical reviews, quality control, and assistance on projects from planning and programming through construction.
3. Assisting in reviews of contractor proposals, designs, submittals and other required documentations.

“Experience” refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered “well qualified” you must (1) meet all of the requirements as described in this section; and 2) be rated “well-qualified”, which is defined as scoring in the in Well Qualified category (or higher).

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.