The Construction Analyst position serves as a Specially Adapted Housing Agent SAH within the Regional Loan Center (RLC) located in Cleveland, OH and will be out based in . The SAH Agent will perform an array of duties with the purpose of overseeing a diverse portfolio of construction projects from proposal through completion, related to the Specially Adapted Housing/Special Home Adaptation (SHA) program, and Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) home adaptations.
Summary
The Construction Analyst position serves as a Specially Adapted Housing Agent SAH within the Regional Loan Center (RLC) located in Cleveland, OH and will be out based in . The SAH Agent will perform an array of duties with the purpose of overseeing a diverse portfolio of construction projects from proposal through completion, related to the Specially Adapted Housing/Special Home Adaptation (SHA) program, and Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) home adaptations.
Review plans, specifications, and cost estimates associated with construction projects. Control and manage project milestones of construction project completion.
Responsible for the oversight and resolution of appeals, reconsideration requests, construction complaints and Veteran complaints submitted to the Regional Loan Center.
Counsel program participants and Veterans of construction projects.
Develop and administer training on program requirements for VA staff and external stakeholders.
Produce well written correspondence which may include technical material that is appropriate to the intended audience.
Review plans, specifications and project sites to determine compliance with industry standards and VA requirements.
Interpret and apply regulations, laws and procedures specific to issues related to the VA guaranty home loan program, Veteran Readiness and Employment, and the Native American Direct loan program.
Serve as the primary point of contact for the Veterans, contractors, local agencies, Congressional interests and agency leadership related to various construction projects and program requirements.
Maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external customers.
Explain and defend a decision to individuals who may be upset or unreceptive.
Conduct on-site inspection of the properties to determine the severity and resolution of the issue or to verify compliance of VA requirements.
Conduct calculations using basic math skills and compile data.
If selected at less than the full performance level, duties will be developmental in nature.
Selectees are subject to a background/suitability investigation.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
A probationary period may be required for employees and supervisors.
May be required to travel overnight and to off-site locations.
A valid driver's license and ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by 11:59 pm of the closing date of this announcement 07/23/2021
NOTE: The Office associated individual occupational requirements (IOR), and individual qualification standards covering white collar occupations in the Federal competitive service can be found: here
GS-11 Minimum Requirements:
Specialized Experience:
At least 1 year (52 weeks of full time) of specialized experience that was equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) in Federal or other service is required to qualify for this position. Specialized experience is defined as:
(1) Experience in residential, commercial, or industrial construction assisting with the development of plans, specifications, or assisting with estimates of materials and cost for the construction;
(2) Experience assisting with coordinating and monitoring construction projects;
(3) Experience working with diverse construction materials (brick, lumber, reinforced concrete, and steel); and
(4) Conducting such construction work on the following types of structures: housing, single-family dwellings and multi-family apartment units, and industrial and commercial structures.
Your specialized experience must also meet the requirements of the Individual Occupational Requirement for this job series, which is defined as:
Experience in the preparation or review of plans, specifications, or estimates of materials and costs for the construction, extension, alteration, or repair of buildings. Applicants should have knowledge of the residential construction field, and experience in the development of plans and specifications, and in negotiation work. This experience may have been obtained working as a contractor or as a draftsperson in an architectural engineering firm. However, any drafting experience must have provided an opportunity to acquire technical knowledge. Appropriate experience includes working with diverse construction materials (brick, lumber, reinforced concrete, steel) and types of structures (housing, single-family dwellings and multi-family apartment units, and industrial and commercial structures). Applicants should be familiar with matters such as planning a subdivision, laying out traffic flow in a multi-family apartment structure, or working out specification problems in plans.
OR
Substitution of education for experience: Applicants may substitute education in place of the experience required to qualify at the Grade 11 Level: With3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or with the completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. This graduate education (or completed degree) must have a Major area of study in architecture, engineering, building construction, or other fields related to the position.
OR
Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required graduate education you have earned. Note: When substituting, you cannot use the first two year of Graduate studies (The first 36 Semester hours) that you earned. Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-11. For example, an applicant who has 45 semester hours or 9 semester hours of graduate level education beyond the first two years (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience for GS-11) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position (assuming that there is no evidence that the attended college or university requires more than 18 semester hours as an equivalent to a year of graduate study). Note: This graduate education Major area of study must be in architecture, engineering, building construction, or other fields related to the position.
GS-12 Minimum Requirements:
Specialized Experience: At least 1 year (52 weeks of full time) of specialized experience that was equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) in Federal or other service is required to qualify for this position. Specialized experience is defined as:
(1) Experience in the residential construction field in the development of plans, specifications, or estimates of materials and cost for the construction;
(2) Experience coordinating and monitoring construction projects;
(3) Experience working with diverse construction materials (brick, lumber, reinforced concrete, and steel); and
(4) Conducting such construction work on the following types of structures: housing, single-family dwellings and multi-family apartment units, and industrial and commercial structures.
(5) Managing project reports and updates.
Your specialized experience must also meet the requirements of the Individual Occupational Requirement as listed above.
There is no educational substitution for GS-12 grade level.
Note: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; 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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience you document, to include volunteer experience.
Education
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
There is no educational substitution for GS-12 grade level.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: here
All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: here
Applications submitted without the required supporting documents will not be accepted. An unofficial transcript; statement from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official; or equivalent documentation is acceptable at the time of application. Education submitted must be appropriately accredited by an accredited body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. For additional information, refer to the U.S. Department of Education web site at: http://www.ed.gov/
Additional information
Work Schedule: Regular office hours; Monday - Friday. 8:00 am - 4:30 pm . Alternate work schedules may be available after training.
Promotion Potential: The incumbent may be promoted to the full performance level (GS-12) without further competition after meeting time-in-grade and specialized experience requirements. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary with most travel by automobile, air, or other public transportation. The position requires frequent scheduled field trips in a Government vehicle throughout the assigned geographic jurisdiction. The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing, walking over rough, uneven, rocky or slippery surfaces; recurrent bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, climbing, or similar activities; recurring lifting of light items weighing less than 25 pounds such as testing or measuring equipment; and/or regular visits to construction or property sites.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-Federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. A well-qualified candidate is defined as meeting all of the minimum qualification standards and eligibility requirements as well as possessing skills that clearly exceed the minimum qualifications requirements for this position. A well-qualified candidate will score 90 or above within the assessment portion of this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility can be found: here
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
Notice to Applicants: Itis the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual's employment experience will be used only to determine the person's qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual's personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
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.
In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions about your experience. Applicants who do not fully address in their resumes the specialized experience needed for the position (as described in the job announcement), or who do not possess the education to substitute for it, will not be referred for further consideration.
If you are referred for consideration you will be rated on the following competencies (Knowledge, Skills, and Ability) based on your application for this position:
Building and Construction
Communication
Interpersonal Skills
Technical Credibility
You may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities that are directly related to the position; and/or completion of a work sample; and/or an interview. Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or your further consideration for employment.
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. During our review, if your resume and application package does not support your questionnaire answers, we will adjust your rating accordingly.
Your application will be evaluated using category rating based on your responses to the assessment questions and the documents you submit. If you meet the basic requirements for the position, your application will be evaluated and placed into one of three categories:
Best Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrate a high level of the knowledge, skill and ability necessary to perform the duties of the position.
Well Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrate a satisfactory level of the knowledge, skill and ability necessary to perform the duties of the position.
Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications requirements.
Note: Candidates eligible for veterans' preference will be placed ahead of other candidates in the appropriate category for which they have been rated. Additionally, preference eligibles who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent and who meet the minimum qualification requirements will automatically be placed in the best qualified category.
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.
Your resume may be submitted in any format, however, we strongly recommend using USA Jobs resume builder as it contains all of the information required on Federal resumes.
For qualifications determinations your resume must reflect hours worked per week, the inclusive dates of employment, and the level of your experience. If your resume does not reflect this information you will not receive credit for the experience.
If you submit more than one copy of your resume, the most recent version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent." It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application. We would recommend that you not submit more than one version of your resume.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, we will not use it to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered further for the vacancy.
Transcripts
If you are basing all or some of your qualifications on education or if a degree is required for the position, a transcript must be included as part of your application package.
An unofficial transcript may be submitted, however, it must reflect the course names, levels, credits earned, grades received, and degree conferred if applicable.
Your transcript (official of unofficial) must reflect the degree conferred date if you are substituting a degree for experience.
A photocopy of your degree is not acceptable in lieu of a transcript.
An official transcript will be required at a later date if you are selected for the position.
Whenever possible it is preferable that you submit copies of official transcripts. Unofficial transcripts may lack essential information necessary for a full evaluation of your qualifications.
Applicants claiming veterans' preference must also submit:
A legible copy of your DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing all dates of service, as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.) is required. The member copy 2 or 4 of your DD Form 214. Copies of DD-214's can be requested: here
Current active duty members must submit a signed statement of service from their commander dated within the last 120 days that reflects their expected discharge date, their release from active duty under honorable conditions, any medals awarded, and the timeframe of their service so that eligibility can be determined.
Veterans and others, (Spouses, Parent, Widow/Widowers), claiming 10 point preference must also submit an SF-15 and all documents indicated on the form as proof of type of preference. This includes a VA letter supporting your disability claim with the overall percentage listed.
If you are unsure as to whether you qualify for veterans' preference, please consult the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Preference Advisor: here
Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must also submit:
Certification of expected separation, reduction-in-force separation notice, or notice of proposed removal; and your most recent performance evaluation; and an SF-50 demonstrating your separation or the position you will be separated from; or
Worker's compensation separation (agency certification of inability to place employee and notification of separation or a separation SF-50; or
Disability annuity termination (notification from OPM of disability annuity termination and separation SF-50 of the last position held); or
Military reserve or National Guard technician special disability retirement annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456 (certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard bureau and separation SF-50 of the last position held).
Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure that all required documents have been submitted by the closing date of the announcement. You will not be contacted for additional information.
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.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/23/2021 to receive consideration. 1. To begin, click apply online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS résumé and/or other supporting documents and to complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click submit my answers to submit your application package.
Note: It is your responsibility to ensure that your response and any appropriate documentation is submitted by the closing date of the announcement. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the application status link, and then select the more information link for this position. The details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to your application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS accountand click update application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
If you are unable to apply online you may review additional options, to make application: here
Cleveland Regional Benefit Office
Federal Building, 1240 East 9th St
Cleveland, OH 44199
US
Next steps
After the review is complete, a referral certificate will be issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email (if provided). Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account: here
For a more detailed update of your status, click on "more information." Information regarding applicant process can be found: here
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Your resume may be submitted in any format, however, we strongly recommend using USA Jobs resume builder as it contains all of the information required on Federal resumes.
For qualifications determinations your resume must reflect hours worked per week, the inclusive dates of employment, and the level of your experience. If your resume does not reflect this information you will not receive credit for the experience.
If you submit more than one copy of your resume, the most recent version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent." It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application. We would recommend that you not submit more than one version of your resume.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, we will not use it to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered further for the vacancy.
Transcripts
If you are basing all or some of your qualifications on education or if a degree is required for the position, a transcript must be included as part of your application package.
An unofficial transcript may be submitted, however, it must reflect the course names, levels, credits earned, grades received, and degree conferred if applicable.
Your transcript (official of unofficial) must reflect the degree conferred date if you are substituting a degree for experience.
A photocopy of your degree is not acceptable in lieu of a transcript.
An official transcript will be required at a later date if you are selected for the position.
Whenever possible it is preferable that you submit copies of official transcripts. Unofficial transcripts may lack essential information necessary for a full evaluation of your qualifications.
Applicants claiming veterans' preference must also submit:
A legible copy of your DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing all dates of service, as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.) is required. The member copy 2 or 4 of your DD Form 214. Copies of DD-214's can be requested: here
Current active duty members must submit a signed statement of service from their commander dated within the last 120 days that reflects their expected discharge date, their release from active duty under honorable conditions, any medals awarded, and the timeframe of their service so that eligibility can be determined.
Veterans and others, (Spouses, Parent, Widow/Widowers), claiming 10 point preference must also submit an SF-15 and all documents indicated on the form as proof of type of preference. This includes a VA letter supporting your disability claim with the overall percentage listed.
If you are unsure as to whether you qualify for veterans' preference, please consult the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Preference Advisor: here
Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must also submit:
Certification of expected separation, reduction-in-force separation notice, or notice of proposed removal; and your most recent performance evaluation; and an SF-50 demonstrating your separation or the position you will be separated from; or
Worker's compensation separation (agency certification of inability to place employee and notification of separation or a separation SF-50; or
Disability annuity termination (notification from OPM of disability annuity termination and separation SF-50 of the last position held); or
Military reserve or National Guard technician special disability retirement annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456 (certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard bureau and separation SF-50 of the last position held).
Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure that all required documents have been submitted by the closing date of the announcement. You will not be contacted for additional information.
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.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/23/2021 to receive consideration. 1. To begin, click apply online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS résumé and/or other supporting documents and to complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click submit my answers to submit your application package.
Note: It is your responsibility to ensure that your response and any appropriate documentation is submitted by the closing date of the announcement. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the application status link, and then select the more information link for this position. The details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to your application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS accountand click update application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
If you are unable to apply online you may review additional options, to make application: here
Cleveland Regional Benefit Office
Federal Building, 1240 East 9th St
Cleveland, OH 44199
US
Next steps
After the review is complete, a referral certificate will be issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email (if provided). Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account: here
For a more detailed update of your status, click on "more information." Information regarding applicant process can be found: here
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
