The position is in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Office of the Chief of Operations, Executive Director of Facility Operations, U.S. Capitol Building, Assistant Superintendent, Facilities Support Division. The incumbent serves as a General Engineer/Architect responsible for identifying, developing and executing large Capitol Building construction programs and projects.
You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications. Specialized experience: is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Candidates for the GS-14 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower GS-13 grade level in the Federal service for the General Engineer: Specialized experience is defined as the following for the General Engineer: (1) Providing expert advice regarding all aspects of planning, design, modernization, operation, and repair of building systems; (2) Exercising project controls (ex., scheduling, resources, trades) in the execution of projects; (3) Serving as a Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR) or equivalent on assigned construction and consultant contracts; and (4) Developing and executing actions to meet strategic and planning goals. Candidates for the GS-14 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower GS-13 grade level in the Federal service for the Architect: Specialized experience is defined as the following for the Architect: (1) Performing architectural design, technical reviews, quality control, and project management on building projects from planning and programming through construction; (2) Assessing compliance with construction standards, preparing full construction drawings and specifications, and preparing scope of work documents and statements of work; (3) Applying technical knowledge of architectural and historic preservation and engineering concepts, methods, and procedures; and (4) Serving as Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or equivalent.
Assists the Assistant Superintendent in development and management of the Capitol Building jurisdiction portfolio of projects. Assists with incorporation of facility data from Facility Condition Assessments, asset audits, etc. to identify future needs to be addressed through design and construction efforts. Develops the planning and documentation for a number of multi-million-dollar construction and renovation projects. Projects may include renovation, rehabilitation, alteration and new construction. Plans various complex project development functions with project teams and makes decisions affecting areas of responsibility that are precedent setting. Performs assessments involving all phases of projects from initiation to completion and follow-on maintenance to determine path forward. Prepares and updates schedules for project delivery efforts, implementing a system for review, control and reporting. Routinely reviews project schedules to ensure reasonable and timely implementation in relation to the annual line-item construction program. Coordinates with other project managers / stakeholders coordinating project schedules to eliminate project conflicts and ensure proper staffing resources. Manages significant projects at the Capitol Building and related facilities. Accomplishes varied and complex project management duties in participation with project teams and makes decisions affecting areas of responsibility. Serves as a technical authority and in that capacity, reviews and or directs the review of plans, specifications and analysis of design on projects of major size and complexity for accuracy and technical competency. Where deficiencies are noted, directs necessary changes and furnishes assistance required. As a senior professional expert, develops or directs the development of architectural or engineering requirements by applying specialized technical knowledge of professional architectural or engineering concepts, methods and procedures to understand and define the requirements of multi-phase projects. 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. Serves as Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to ensure accurate and adequate oversight of contractor performance according to contract requirements. Performs timely inspections to ensure compliance with job specifications, quality, timeliness and budget authorizations. Ensures that projects are effectively inspected, monitored, controlled and evaluated within timeliness, cost and performance conditions. Assists in the implementation of scope changes to the contract once approved in writing by the Contracting Officer on the Government’s behalf when appropriate. Reviews completed work, evaluates quality and recommends acceptance or rejection of completed work to the Contracting Officer prior to any payment. As a COR, reviews and evaluates shop drawings, progress schedules and conformance to technical documents during the course of construction. The complexities of the projects require the incumbent to develop versatile and innovative technical solutions for controlling time and costs. Analyzes and develops alternate solutions to reduce time and costs and eliminate short cuts or compromises that are considered risky. Serves as an expert consultant on broad projects and programs. Consults with management in preparing requirements and criteria for complex or high value projects for construction or modification to facilities. Applies expert knowledge of professional architectural and engineering concepts, methods and procedures to analyze and define requirements of multi-phase projects. 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. Conducts reviews of consultants under contract to the AOC that resolve highly complex technical difficulties through changes in approach, criteria and/or requirements. Plans and coordinates projects involving unexplored areas where there are little or no established techniques and approaches. Serves as a subject matter expert within the Capitol Building on all matters of preservation related to construction, maintenance and repair activities within the historical perimeter and grounds of the Capitol Building jurisdiction. Conducts research and provides guidance to officials on the impact of proposed projects on preservation requirements. Establishes and maintains liaison with program managers and works closely with their representatives to ensure that proper facility or systems requirements and adequate funding are met.