The mission of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is to serve Congress and the Supreme Court, preserve America's Capitol and inspire memorable experiences. Under the leadership of Stephen T. Ayers, FAIA, LEED AP, the roles and responsibilities of the Architect of the Capitol cover an expansive and diverse portfolio. The AOC is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development and preservation of 17.4 million square feet of buildings and more than 553 acres of land throughout Capitol Hill. The AOC provides a welcoming and educational environment for millions of visitors through the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center and the US Botanic Garden. The AOC also provides professional expertise on the preservation of architectural and artistic elements entrusted to its care. Learn more at www.aoc.gov.
CORE VALUES:
The AOC prides itself on its Core Values of Teamwork, Integrity, Pride and Professionalism.
The PROFESSIONALISM and INTEGRITY of each AOC employee demonstrates our dedication to providing quality services and our commitments to holding ourselves to the highest standards.
We recognize that we do our best work through TEAMWORK, each of us lending our individual strengths and talents to the greater goal of the entire team. We respect each other and rely on each other in our efforts to make the AOC a center of excellence. We take PRIDE in what we do and in the honor of serving Congress, the Supreme Court, and the American people each and every day.
The U.S. Capitol and its stately dome have become the international symbols of our representative democracy. From its inception, the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) was conceived as an extension of the Capitol that welcomes visitors to the seat of American government. Completed in 2008 after six years of construction, the CVC is the largest addition to the Capitol in the 222-year history of the building. The CVC encompasses 580,000 square feet and its footprint is larger than the footprint of the Capitol. The facility lies entirely below ground to respect the views to the Capitol and the historic Frederick Law Olmsted landscape that surrounds the building. The CVC is the new portal to the Capitol and welcomes approximately 2.5 million visitors annually.
Summary
The mission of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is to serve Congress and the Supreme Court, preserve America's Capitol and inspire memorable experiences. Under the leadership of Stephen T. Ayers, FAIA, LEED AP, the roles and responsibilities of the Architect of the Capitol cover an expansive and diverse portfolio. The AOC is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development and preservation of 17.4 million square feet of buildings and more than 553 acres of land throughout Capitol Hill. The AOC provides a welcoming and educational environment for millions of visitors through the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center and the US Botanic Garden. The AOC also provides professional expertise on the preservation of architectural and artistic elements entrusted to its care. Learn more at www.aoc.gov.
CORE VALUES:
The AOC prides itself on its Core Values of Teamwork, Integrity, Pride and Professionalism.
The PROFESSIONALISM and INTEGRITY of each AOC employee demonstrates our dedication to providing quality services and our commitments to holding ourselves to the highest standards.
We recognize that we do our best work through TEAMWORK, each of us lending our individual strengths and talents to the greater goal of the entire team. We respect each other and rely on each other in our efforts to make the AOC a center of excellence. We take PRIDE in what we do and in the honor of serving Congress, the Supreme Court, and the American people each and every day.
The U.S. Capitol and its stately dome have become the international symbols of our representative democracy. From its inception, the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) was conceived as an extension of the Capitol that welcomes visitors to the seat of American government. Completed in 2008 after six years of construction, the CVC is the largest addition to the Capitol in the 222-year history of the building. The CVC encompasses 580,000 square feet and its footprint is larger than the footprint of the Capitol. The facility lies entirely below ground to respect the views to the Capitol and the historic Frederick Law Olmsted landscape that surrounds the building. The CVC is the new portal to the Capitol and welcomes approximately 2.5 million visitors annually.
The position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Office of Safety, Fire and Environmental Programs (SFEP), including Emergency Preparedness. Develops the SFEP office communications program vision and plan for the AOC. Implements (or expands) communications strategies for each SFEP program (safety, fire, environmental and emergency preparedness), including and not limited to developing written communications (bulletins, fact sheets, brochures, posters, etc.) to educate and inform AOC staff and building occupants on relevant safety, fire, environmental and emergency preparedness program information and initiatives. Also maintains technical content of intranet, performing technical reviews coordinating with SFEP subject matter experts as needed, ensuring consistency, accuracy and coordination with other documents.
Major Duties Include:
SFEP Communications Program Planning The incumbent coordinates with the Office of Communications and Congressional Relations (CCR) to formulate communication plans which promote an understanding of (SFEP) programs and procedures to a variety of target audiences in alignment with the overall agency strategic communications plan.
Gathers data and provides relevant information in a summarized format. Develops messages for various audiences and strategically delivers messages by evaluating the most appropriate communication channel(s) for the particular needs of the target audience(s).
Develops SFEP office communications program vision and plan. Implements (or expands) communications strategies for each SFEP program (safety, fire, environmental and emergency preparedness). Drafts SFEP communications plans that identify goals, messages, target audiences and tactics. Plans and conducts evaluations to assess information needs of target audiences and measure the success of communications plans and products. Evaluates and refines communications plans based on the results of audience research, SFEP Office, and Architect of the Capitol priorities.
Uses project management techniques to ensure events/campaigns are properly coordinated and effectively executed with a high degree of quality.
Report Writing, Review and Consultation Applies a knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform via written, oral, electronic and visual media. Uses knowledge of the elements of plain language.
Develops content for program information and communications campaigns for personnel within the agency, with varied degrees of comprehension of agency programs and policies and different levels of education, interests and points of view.
Researches, collects, compiles and analyzes information to generate technical and management plans and reports for a variety of SFEP topics (including program plans, after action reports, lessons learned. Develops and/or authors communication content, such as talking points, bulletins, brochures, blog posts, feature stories, briefings and presentations to educate and inform AOC staff and building occupants on relevant safety, fire, environmental and emergency preparedness program information and initiatives.
Working with the Office of Communications and Congressional Relations, analyzes and drafts responses to informational requests from a variety of sources including news media, congressional and other governmental organizations, specialized groups and the general public.
Maintains technical content of intranet (performs technical reviews coordinating with SFEP subject matter expert as needed; ensures consistency, accuracy, coordination with other documents.
Organizational Liaison Delivers clear, effective communications and takes responsibility for understanding others.
Works cooperatively with others, inside and outside the organization, to accomplish objectives to build and maintain mutually beneficial partnerships, leverage information and achieve results.
Develops and maintains effective relationships with others; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and in different situations; shows understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern and politeness.
Manages collaborations, partnerships and other interactions with a wide variety of internal stakeholders.
Emergency Communications Participates in Emergency Operations Center and other emergency preparedness exercises.
Develops and maintains Emergency communications plan. Develops emergency response communications templates and tools (e.g. documents) in advance of emergency.
Serves as primary communications liaison during crisis, developing communicators (emails, bulletins, fact sheets, etc.), fact checks, maintains records, ensures communications are accurate and consistent, coordinates with CCR and others.
Facilitates after action sessions to generate lessons learned reports. Develops new insights into situations and applies different and novel solutions to make improvements.
Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related KSAs.
You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
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Qualifications
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-13 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the (GS-12) grade level in the Federal service.
Specialized experience is defined as having experience: (1) Writing safety or health-related content for a diverse workforce or the general public; (2) Corresponding with high level state, local, federal authorities, Congressional members, media, and/or executive members of an organization; (3) Writing content for both technical and non-technical audiences regarding a specialized field (i.e. technological, scientific, industrial, or construction). Content includes project updates, justifications and announcements, status reports, project requests, and media-related materials); (4) Experience managing projects from initial concept and scope development, through reviews and approval, design and production and ultimately to completion; (5) Creating and editing content for an organization or agency's web page.
Education
There is no substitution of education for experience for this position.
Additional information
Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp#6.
If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with theSelective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.
DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC’s suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.
The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.
The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm
The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Moving expenses are not authorized.
Relocation expenses are not authorized.
Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency.
This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol.
All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Review your resume and responses carefully. Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your responses to job specific self-assessment questions.
Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for this position, possession of any specialized experience, and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement. The self-assessment questions relate to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies:
Writing
Project Management
Oral Communication
Teamwork
Your responses to the self-assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating. You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions. Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume and optional cover letter. Your resume must support your answers to the self-assessment questions. Falsifying your background, education and/or experience is cause for non-selection or disqualification from further consideration.
Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the “Required Documents” section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application). To preview questions please click here.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The Architect of the Capitol's job application process is designed to ensure that we only ask you for the information that is absolutely needed to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility for the position.
To apply for this position, you only need to submit online the following: a) your resume and 2) answer the online vacancy assessment questionnaire. The online questionnaire contains eligibility and screening questions and other relevant supplemental information. No additional documentation or attachment is required at the time of application.
We ask that you prepare and submit a resume that best describes fully your background experience, skills, abilities, education, training and other relevant credentials. The resume should include dates of employment.
Nothing further is required until it is requested by the staff of the Human Capital Management Division. If additional documentation is required for a position, you will be asked to provide it during the selection process or upon selection. At that point, we may ask you to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume.
For example, we may ask you to provide documents such as college transcripts, copy of diploma or proof of Federal employment status. If the position requires a license or certification, we will ask candidate(s) to provide proof at the time of selection.
If you are claiming veterans' preference, we may ask you to submit proof of Veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, the SF-15 plus proof required by that form).
If you fail to provide the required documents, we will withdraw a tentative job offer made and/or remove you from further consideration.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You MUST apply online. FORMS RECEIVED BY FAX, EMAIL OR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
If you are a new user to the USAJOBS Site and have never registered for an account; you will first need to create an account profile with your basic contact information and a resume to begin applying. You must be a registered USAJOBS user AND you must be signed-in to your account in order to apply for this position. For help with setting up an account or for general assistance in using USAJOBS, go to USAJOBS Help Page.
NEED HELP? If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! If you have problems completing your on-line application, contact the Monster Hiring Management Help Desk at 1-866-656-6831 or by e-mail at MGSHELP@monster.com. The help desk is available Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You may call and leave a voice mail message at all other times.
All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS “Saved Documents” feature.
If you are unable to apply on-line, you may visit our Employment Center for technical assistance in entering your application. The Employment Center is located at 441 Second & D Streets S.W., Washington, D.C., Room H2-178, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may call (202) 226-7000 for directions.
Architect of the Capitol
2nd and D Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20515
US
Next steps
You will receive a notice generated by the USAJOBS System when you have successfully submitted your application. We will review your application and transcript(s) (if you are qualifying based on education) to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.
You can check the status of your application by logging into http://www.usajobs.gov. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJOBS Account, editing your profile and changing the ‘Notification Settings’ to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes. Information regarding the status of your application should be updated in the system within two (2) weeks after the closing date of this job announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The Architect of the Capitol's job application process is designed to ensure that we only ask you for the information that is absolutely needed to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility for the position.
To apply for this position, you only need to submit online the following: a) your resume and 2) answer the online vacancy assessment questionnaire. The online questionnaire contains eligibility and screening questions and other relevant supplemental information. No additional documentation or attachment is required at the time of application.
We ask that you prepare and submit a resume that best describes fully your background experience, skills, abilities, education, training and other relevant credentials. The resume should include dates of employment.
Nothing further is required until it is requested by the staff of the Human Capital Management Division. If additional documentation is required for a position, you will be asked to provide it during the selection process or upon selection. At that point, we may ask you to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume.
For example, we may ask you to provide documents such as college transcripts, copy of diploma or proof of Federal employment status. If the position requires a license or certification, we will ask candidate(s) to provide proof at the time of selection.
If you are claiming veterans' preference, we may ask you to submit proof of Veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, the SF-15 plus proof required by that form).
If you fail to provide the required documents, we will withdraw a tentative job offer made and/or remove you from further consideration.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You MUST apply online. FORMS RECEIVED BY FAX, EMAIL OR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
If you are a new user to the USAJOBS Site and have never registered for an account; you will first need to create an account profile with your basic contact information and a resume to begin applying. You must be a registered USAJOBS user AND you must be signed-in to your account in order to apply for this position. For help with setting up an account or for general assistance in using USAJOBS, go to USAJOBS Help Page.
NEED HELP? If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! If you have problems completing your on-line application, contact the Monster Hiring Management Help Desk at 1-866-656-6831 or by e-mail at MGSHELP@monster.com. The help desk is available Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You may call and leave a voice mail message at all other times.
All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS “Saved Documents” feature.
If you are unable to apply on-line, you may visit our Employment Center for technical assistance in entering your application. The Employment Center is located at 441 Second & D Streets S.W., Washington, D.C., Room H2-178, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may call (202) 226-7000 for directions.
Architect of the Capitol
2nd and D Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20515
US
Next steps
You will receive a notice generated by the USAJOBS System when you have successfully submitted your application. We will review your application and transcript(s) (if you are qualifying based on education) to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.
You can check the status of your application by logging into http://www.usajobs.gov. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJOBS Account, editing your profile and changing the ‘Notification Settings’ to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes. Information regarding the status of your application should be updated in the system within two (2) weeks after the closing date of this job announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
