ARCHITECT

You will serve as an Architect in the Research and Development Services Division (RDSD), Code 353100, Technical Services Branch of NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY.

Major duties

• You will perform professional work associated with the design of new structures or major modifications to existing structures.
• You will conduct investigations of project sites to determine (for new construction) feasibility of proposed project; center line, profile, and elevations; and essential linear and angular measurements.
• You will evaluate design objectives, and identify most economical and efficient procedures for building design and performance considering all functional and aesthetic requirements.
• You will prepare: (a) detailed fee estimates for use in negotiating with architect-engineer firms for design services; and (b) correspondence, technical reports, estimates, fact sheets, status reports, and schedules to complete assignment.
• You will prepare In-House design plans, specifications, bill of material, construction cost estimate, labor phasing, Design Bid Build (DBB) or Design Build (DB) packages.
• You will serve as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) to manage and review work of architect-engineer firms to ensure design excellence and compliance with regulations and criteria.
• You will confer with construction contractors to resolve problems or latent conditions, and prepare sketches.

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower pay band (NP-02) or grade level (GS-5/10) or in the federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector as a professional Architect performing/demonstrating the following: 1) Demonstrated experience in managing architectural projects from conception to completion, including conducting site investigations, evaluating design objectives, and preparing detailed construction documents such as drawings, specifications, and cost estimates. This includes proficiency with AutoCAD and a current license as a Registered Architect; 2) Proven ability to serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), overseeing architect-engineer (A-E) firms and construction contractors. This experience involves managing contracts to ensure design excellence, regulatory compliance, and adherence to project schedule and budget, as well as reviewing and approving contractor submittals and shop drawings; 3) Experience in providing architectural solutions for a variety of complex structures, such as multistory office buildings, laboratories, and industrial facilities. This includes coordinating with interdisciplinary teams (e.g., electrical and mechanical engineers) to ensure all technical requirements and project objectives are successfully integrated and met; and 4) Expertise in technical problem-solving and project management, including developing fee estimates for design services, preparing technical reports, and resolving latent conditions or issues that arise during construction. This includes experience in both in-house design and the oversight of design-bid-build (DBB) and design-build (DB) projects. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/architecture-series-0808/ Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

Education

Transcripts must be submitted with your application to verify educational requirements. Applicants must meet the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual: Applicants must possess: Bachelor's or higher degree in architecture; OR Bachelor's or higher degree in a field related to architecture 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 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. My 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 OR you lack a degree in architecture, but you have 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 that demonstrates that you have acquired a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional architecture. (Note - In the absence of college courses, 5 years of such experience is required). Applicants may substitute for specialized experience with education, registration, or a combination of education and experience as follows: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to architecture OR Successful completion of three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent degree directly related to architecture OR You are registered to practice architecture by one of the State registration boards, using standards in compliance with the basic minimum provisions recommended by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards; OR You have a combination of experience and education as described above that equates to one year of experience. The percentage of the required education plus the percentage of the required experience must equal one hundred percent.