Project Manager (Architect) - DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY

Performs as a professional architect in planning and designing substantial new construction, renovation, and improvement projects on real property facilities. Develops plans, and designs specifications for various types of facility projects.

Analyzes and validates the programmed facility requirements and develops the conceptual design and quantitative criteria for complex architectural/engineering projects. Serves as a consulting architect on all design aspects of assigned projects. Provides professional consultations on a broad range of difficult architectural issues and problems.

Provides architectural advice to requesting organizations.

Consults with contractors, Corps of Engineers, Architect & Engineer (A&E) firms, and contracting officers to resolve difficult or unforeseen problems on space limitations, design interferences, design interfaces, regulatory limitations, and to exchange information and expedite installation work.

Coordinates the preparation of and reviews A&E statements of work (SOW). Provides criteria and standards for specialized, difficult, or unusual requirements. Reviews preliminary and final engineering plans, specifications, and cost estimates of A&E firms or other design agencies to ensure design excellence and compliance with specifications.

Coordinates projects with engineers in other disciplines. Applies knowledge of other disciplines to determine coordination required to ensure all design considerations have been addressed. Keeps abreast of emerging technologies to ensure programmed development will not prematurely become obsolete.

Uses computers and computer software such as information management programs, computer aided design and drafting (CADD) programs, and project tracking programs to solve engineering problems and facilitate work. Keeps current on relevant software applications.

In conjunction with the primary duty of design, on a less frequent basis performs work in the construction management, program/base development, and/or operations and maintenance (O&M) functions.

Monitors and manages projects for new construction, renovations, and improvements to real property facilities from start to finish including the performance of pre-construction site surveys all the way to completion of as built drawings.

Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures and performs work in a manner that enhances the safety of the work environment. Ensures federal, state, and local codes concerning health, safety, and the environment are strictly adhered to in the programming, design, and construction of real property facilities.

Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions.

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: 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.

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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-02, equivalent to the next to lower grade GS-11 or equivalent in the Federal Service.

Specialized experience must include serving as a professional architect, planning and management of design and construction execution work for, and lead project teams for, substantial multi-phase new construction, renovation/repair, and improvement projects for real property facilities, including utility systems, utilizing a professional knowledge of architecture.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Professional knowledge of a broad range of architectural concepts, principles, practices, techniques, and methods in building design and construction process, and an extensive familiarity with engineering disciplines; knowledge of aesthetic and functional design techniques; preparation of preliminary drawings, sketches, and construction drawings; and a broad range of architectural and construction standards, methods, practices, techniques, materials, and equipment to determine compliance with federal, state, and local codes and regulations.

Knowledge of drafting techniques and skills sufficient to convey design concepts and ideas and formulate working drawings.

Knowledge of standard contracting regulations, practices, and procedures; health, safety, and environmental requirements as outlined in applicable safety standards, regulations, and/or technical orders; program planning and budgeting cycles, financial control and budget systems, and management; environmental principles, practices, procedures, laws, regulations, and current legislative issues; and work classifications and regulatory and statutory restriction on the expenditures of appropriated and non-appropriated funds.

Knowledge of automated systems and programs such as Computer-Aided Design and Drafting, information management, project tracking, and other software programs. Ability to plan, conduct, and record site/facilities surveys and inspections.

Ability to research, analyze, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, and procedures in a variety of situations; recommend timely and economical solutions; plan and organize work; coordinate the work of other architects and engineering disciplines; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and maintain a good working relationship.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.