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Interdisciplinary (Cost Estimator)

General Services Administration
Public Buildings Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

As a Cost Estimator (Interdisciplinary), you will serve as an Estimator for all types of projects, from prospectus level to small program level, and serve as the cost advocate for Public Buildings Service, Pacific Rim Region.

This position is located in one of the following locations: San Francisco, CA, Sacramento, CA, Los Angeles, CA, San Diego, CA, Phoenix, AZ or Las Vegas, NV

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

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
04/08/2024 to 04/29/2024
Salary
$88,520 to - $115,079 per year

The above salary is basic pay. Locality pay will depend on the duty location of the selectee.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Locations
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Phoenix, AZ
Los Angeles, CA
Sacramento, CA
San Diego, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - May be required to travel for site visits, meetings, conferences and training.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
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
9P-2024-0044
Control number
785512700

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Duties

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THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO APRIL 29, 2024 AT 11:59 EASTERN TIME.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Provides expert-level knowledge to program and project managers for feasibility studies, pre-design, design, construction and post-occupancy principles, methods and code requirements.
  • Manages the estimating program. Does actual estimates including reviewing estimates completed by contractors, managing the estimating contracts and estimating workload for the region. Provides consultation forecasts, constructability and technical review to ensure projects are technically well designed and within budget.
  • Performs cost escalation forecasts; monitors construction markets to identify price trends for material, labor and equipment costs. Analyzes market trends and advises leadership and project managers on possible implications of time and cost overages. Mentors project managers and construction control representatives in effective cost estimating techniques and methods.
  • Provides expertise for the entire regional program, providing leadership, expert assistance and authoritative advice. Provides technical expertise to GSA personnel and is called upon to review and/or assess problematic or potentially controversial situations which are extraordinary, unique or otherwise contentious in nature. Provides oversight and serves as a reviewer, troubleshooter and advisor for regional program managers, project managers, architects, engineers, estimating personnel, schedulers, subject matter experts, and construction representatives on a diverse range of issues, projects and concerns.
  • In cases where existing agency policy does not apply, incumbent consults references such as United States Code, the Code of Federal Regulations, Comptroller General and GAO audit decisions and other legal precedents available. Interprets these legal sources and develops definitive policy recommendations based on extensive review of these legal precedents.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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

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.
  • Complete a financial disclosure report to verify that no conflict, or an appearance of conflict, exists between your financial interest and this position.

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-13 salary range For San Francisco, CA starts at $128,717.00 per year.

The GS-13 salary range for Los Angeles, CA starts at $120,246.00 per year..

The GS-13 salary range for San Diego, CA starts at $117,776.00 per year.

The GS-13 salary range for Sacramento, CA starts at $114,332.00 per year.

The GS-13 salary range for Phoenix, AZ starts at $108,012.00 per year.

The GS-13 salary range for Las Vegas, NV starts at $105,542.00 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.

This position is interdisciplinary, which means the duties and responsibilities closely relate to more than one professional occupation. This position may be filled in one of the following occupations:

  • General Engineer (0801)
  • Architect (0808)
  • Civil Engineer (0810)
  • Mechanical Engineer (830)
  • Electrical Engineer (0850)

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:  

In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience preparing/reviewing plans, specifications, cost estimates of materials/labor involved in construction, repair/alteration of public buildings and major building systems. Experience must include:

  • analyzing estimates;
  • establishing negotiating position;
  • reviewing complex proposals;
  • providing consultation for Estimators/Project Managers;
  • performing budgetary cost planning/calculations for prospectus submittals.

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

Relocation Not Paid

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

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive

On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:

·       Recruitment incentive if you are new to the federal government

·       Relocation incentive if you are a current federal employee

·       Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government

Management Rights

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.

Concurrent MP Vacancy Announcement

If you are eligible under Merit Promotion, you may also apply under Vacancy Announcement #9P-2024-0043.  You must apply separately to each announcement to be considered for both.

Diversity

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.

We will use a method called Category Rating to assess your application.  Here’s how it will work:

You will be scored on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities:

  • Knowledge of advanced engineering and/or architectural techniques. Knowledge of analytical techniques to construction, design, materials, energy efficiency and workplace flexibilities.
  • Knowledge of project management techniques methods and processes to cost and time estimates.
  • Certification as a cost engineer by the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) or as a certified professional estimator by the American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE).
  • Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative techniques related to construction costs, renovation, and refurbishing of a variety of public buildings. Knowledge of site and design contingencies and their influence of total project costs.
  • Oral and written presentation skills sufficient to present complex ideas and proposals. Ability to apply United States Code, the Code of Federal Regulations and Comptroller General and GAO audit decisions to construction and project related issues.
  • Knowledge of construction scheduling.

Your answers to the questions will be used to place you in one of the following categories and standard score ranges:

  • Best Qualified = Candidates scoring between 95 - 100
  • Well Qualified = Candidates scoring between 85 - 94 (Well Qualified for CTAP/ICTAP)
  • Qualified = Candidates scoring between 70 - 84

We will verify your answers to the questions in your resume.  If your resume doesn’t support your answers, we may lower your score, which could place you in a lower category.

Within each category, veterans will receive selection priority over non-veterans.

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.

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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