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Architect

General Services Administration
Public Buildings Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

As a As an Architect, you will perform all aspects of professional architectural/engineering duties pertaining to project planning, design, construction and repair of buildings.

Location of position: Design and Construction Division, Public Buildings Service, Albany, NY, Buffalo, NY, Rochester, NY & Syracuse, NY.

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
04/03/2024 to 04/17/2024
Salary
$72,553 to - $118,050 per year

Salary is based on the Rest of U.S. pay table, upon selection salary will be adjusted based on the duty location.

Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Locations
Albany, NY
FEW vacancies
Buffalo, NY
FEW vacancies
Rochester, NY
FEW vacancies
Syracuse, NY
FEW vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional Travel Required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
2P-2024-0004
Control number
784781600

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Duties

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This position can be filled at any GSA duty location in the Upstate and Caribbean Branch (R2) within Albany, NY, Buffalo, NY, Rochester, NY or Syracuse, NY. The incumbent will be expected to report to a GSA facility at least 2x per pay period. 

  • Overall responsibility for the successful initiation, planning, execution, and closure of leasing, design, or construction projects.
  • Responsible for leading multidisciplinary team(s) through the project lifecycle.
  • Ensures that projects are completed on time, within scope, and on budget.
  • Leads project team in developing, monitoring, and adjusting the project scope throughout the life cycle of the project.
  • Establishes project budgets, monitors progress, implements cost controls, and reports budget status.
  • Assists the Contracting Officer in the preparation of statements of work, determinations and findings and solicitation documents.
  • Participates in the A/E, Contractor and/or Lessor selection process and in negotiations for Construction Management, and design post-construction contract award services.
  • Leads discussions with client agencies regarding project requirements to determine the best solution based on available funding, technical recommendations and operational needs of end users.
  • Negotiates and coordinates project plans, budget objectives and schedules with customer agencies.
  • Project Closeout - Ensures the completion of project documents and makes certain they are uploaded into all necessary systems of record in order to track established performance metrics and historical trends.
  • Represents GSA and the Contracting Officer (CO) on A/E, Construction Management, lease and Construction contracts as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).
  • Construction inspection responsibilities include all facets and phases of construction engineering covering each of the building trades.
  • Prepares statements of work and detailed instructions for guidance to architects and consulting engineers.
  • Reviews cost estimates for accuracy and technical adequacy. Analyzes contractor claims.
  • Conducts site surveys to determine condition of structures and systems, evaluates requirements and recommends incorporation, modification or exclusion of various project features.
  • Prepares technical reports on highly complex architectural matters.
  • Serves as the primary point of contact for the customer, and has overall responsibility for providing customer service.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
  • Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
  • Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
  • Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

This position has job functions that must be executed within specific geographic locations. The official duty station is a federal facility, leased space, or an alternative worksite (typically the employee’s home) within the specified geographic area. If you are selected for this position, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within 45 days. At that time, you may be eligible to request to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy.


If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
  • Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
  • Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
  • Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee.  We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

  • the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
  • number of hours per week you worked (if part time).    

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here

The GS-11 salary range starts at $72,553 per year. 

The GS-12 salary range starts at $86,962 per year. 

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.  

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGINEERS: A Degree in professional engineering OR a combination of college-level education, training, and/or technical experience. For specifics on qualifying education and/or experience - use the following link: Basic Requirements for Engineer Positions.  BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ARCHITECTS: A Degree in architecture or related field; OR a combination of college-level education, training, and/or technical experience. For specifics on qualifying education, training, and/or experience - use the following link: Basic Requirements for Architect Positions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:  GS-11

In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, to qualify for the GS-11, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is  professional architecture experience in the design of construction or alteration projects involving large and complex buildings or major building systems; and the coordination of the activities of architects, engineers, tenants and construction contractors on such projects. Such experience must also include having independently managed projects (balance scope/quality, schedule and budget) requiring the services of multiple disciplines from project initiation phase through project closeout. OR

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 

A combination of graduate level education in a directly related curriculum beyond the second year of progressive graduate study and experience that together meet the qualifications for this position OR

Candidates 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, are recognized as meeting the full requirements for eligibility at GS-11.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:  GS-12

In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, to qualify for the GS-12, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is professional architecture experience in the design of construction or alteration projects involving large and complex buildings or major building systems; or the coordination of the activities of architects, engineers, tenants and construction contractors on such projects. Such experience must also include having independently managed projects and/or large portions of projects (balance scope/quality, schedule and budget) requiring the services of multiple disciplines from project initiation phase through project closeout.

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.  

Education

Note: 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:   https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ 

Additional information

Bargaining Unit Status:
- This position is eligible for the bargaining unit

If you are selected at a grade lower than the full performance level, you may be promoted up to that grade level without having to re-apply or compete against other applicants.

Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.  

Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.

We are also accepting applications from all U.S. Citizens and Nationals under Vacancy Announcement #2P-2024-0005.  You must apply separately to each announcement to be considered for both.

GSA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility that goes beyond our compliance with EEO regulations including: 
  • Valuing and embracing diversity, promoting equity, inclusion and accessibility, and expecting cultural competence; and
  • Fostering a work environment where all employees, customers and stakeholders feel respected and valued.
Our commitment is: 
  • Reflected in our policies, procedures and work environment;
  • Recognized by our employees, customers and stakeholders; and
  • Drives our efforts to recruit, attract, retain and engage the diverse workforce needed to achieve our mission.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your overall possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities.  Your responses to these questions must be supported by your resume or your score may be lowered.

  • Ability to manage projects impacted by multiple competing priorities and requirements and to successfully integrate these requirements to meet the goals outlined for development initiatives.
  • Skill in allocating fiscal, staff, and time resources to produce maximum results.
  • Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources.
  • Ability to apply financial management and budgeting knowledge, techniques, and innovation.
  • Knowledge of procurement principles and procedures and methods of contracting.
  • Skill in techniques to negotiate contracts to ensure the successful completion of a project.
  • General knowledge of the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations) and of regulations and techniques of source selection sufficient to chair a panel and recommend a selection to the Contracting Officer.
  • Knowledge of Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) duties and limitations as defined by the Federal Acquisition Regulations .
  • Knowledge of laws, rules and regulations that apply to leasing and development as well as to client organizations.
  • Ability to apply a wide range of qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques to solve a range of design and construction issues.
  • Ability to identify rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyze information and make correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
  • Knowledge of professional architectural principles, concepts and practices applicable to a full range of design, layout, construction, repair and/or alterations to a variety of complex structures.
  • Able to adapt standard design and construction practices and techniques, to establish design parameters and prepare project justifications and specifications for plans and design for new construction and renovation projects.
  • Knowledge of building codes and ability to interpret, such as the IBC, NFPA, ASHRAE, NEC, ABBAS, etc.
  • Interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Ability to manage business relationships with both internal and external customers.

Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle, e.g., the minimum qualification requirements. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions.

Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process.  If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan(ICTAP/CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.


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