Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to current Architect of the Capitol, Human Capital Management Division employees only.

At the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), we operate as one team, dedicated to one mission, which is to serve Congress and the Supreme Court, preserve America’s Capitol and inspire memorable experiences. This mission is achieved through the effective work of talented and dedicated professionals who are committed to service and the preservation of the landmarks throughout the Capitol Hill campus. 

This  supervisory position serves as Chief, Classification and Compensation Branch and is an integral part of the Human Capital Management Division senior team. The branch chief acts as a  the principal advisor to the Chief Human Capital Officer and Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer for Operations,  providing strategic leadership in the design and delivery of modern, effective position classification and compensation programs.

Major Duties:

As Branch Chief, you will:

• Manage the agency's position classification program consisting of advisory services to managers and supervisors on the development of accurate position descriptions, alignment of positions, job structuring, and their impact on pay determinations.
• Supervise and mentor staff, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation and continuous improvement. Performs administrative and technical supervisory functions for subordinates. Promotes a work environment that fosters respect, inclusiveness, innovation, teamwork and safety.
• Manage and direct position classification activities to include the review of the General Schedule, AOC Federal Wage System, and other AOC positions to ensure consistency with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) position classification standards and AOC unique position requirements.
• Provide expert classification and compensation and consultative services to AOC managers and supervisors involving compensation, position management, classification, workforce planning program services and related issues.
• Exercise delegated classification authority to develop, evaluate and certify position descriptions.
• Implement policy development and program implementation in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, standards, policies and precedents of the AOC and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
• Manage and oversee the position management system online (“PMSO”) to ensure the effective, accurate and current maintenance of position master records and organizational data. Independently serve as central point of coordination for PMSO tasks to support the timely creation and updating of position information.
• Administer the position classification reviews, audits and agency-wide trade studies of both Wage Grade and General Schedule occupations and other unique AOC positions.
• Plan and assist with the implementation of reorganizations that involve major mission changes or realignment of positions and personnel.
• Manage the compensation function for AOC including the planning, development and implementation of new and revised compensation programs, policies and procedures to align with AOC’s goals and competitive practices.
• Develop evaluation strategies for oversight of program effectiveness related to the compensation line of business.
• Administer and perform statistical analysis survey activities which involve researching, collecting and compiling information essential to the decision-making processes regarding appropriate adjustments in pay and fringe benefits for the various categories of AOC employees.

Conditions of employment

• You must be able to pass a drug test.
• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related KSAs.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.

To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below:

• A citizen of the United States;
• A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B);
• A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible;
• A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or
• A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States.

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 website at OPM qualification standards.

Specialized experience: is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position successfully 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-14 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-13) grade level in the Federal service.

This position oversees a highly technical, complex, agency-wide classification and compensation program to include the development of position descriptions, alignment of positions, job structuring, and their impact on pay determinations. Examples of specialized experience for this position include:

(1) Comprehensive technical knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, principles and practices associated with classification and compensation, position management and familiarity with relevant Federal personnel processes and procedures.

(2) Demonstrated knowledge of Federal classification concepts, principles and practices related to structuring organizations and positions and determining the appropriate pay system, occupational grouping, title and pay level of positions.

(3) Mastery of and skill in applying advanced HR principles, including compensation principles, concepts and practices, including multiple pay systems and authorities sufficient to serve as an expert staff-level advisor providing authoritative advice and assistance to program managers and operating HR specialists.

(4) Demonstrated ability to ensure that the classification system aligns with the guiding principle of equal pay for work of substantially equal value.

(5) Proven ability to provide leadership and supervision to a diverse team of employees, both civilian and contractors, delivering position classification and compensation services.

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 on 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 relate to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement. The self-assessment questions relate to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies:

• Knowledge of classification concepts, principles and practices related to structuring organizations and positions and determining the appropriate pay system, occupational grouping, series, title and pay level of positions.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices used to review organizational positions to apply classification standards, complete desk audits, conduct consistency reviews, create, or update position descriptions, and determine the appropriate pay plan, series, title and grade.
• Knowledge of the laws and regulations governing the two  primary Federal classification systems (General Schedule, Federal Wage System), including the classification method (e.g., factor-based and narrative) used to evaluate positions under each system.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and methods for structuring organizations in a manner that optimizes strategic alignment, efficiency, productivity, fiscal responsibility and organizational effectiveness.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, supervise and/or lead a diverse group of people to deliver essential services while meeting the agency's and division's vision, mission and goals.
• Ability to provide strategic and results-driven oversight of classifications and compensation.
• Knowledge of innovative assessment methods to identify organizational needs and develop human resources strategies for meeting those needs.
• Skill in utilizing an enterprise human resources information system.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to present and express information to individuals or groups effectively, considering the audience and nature of the information; makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues and responds appropriately.

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 not hiring you or disqualification for 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).