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Interior Designer

Department of State
Department of State - Agency Wide
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), Program Development, Coordination, and Support Directorate (PDCS), Office of Design and Engineering (DE), Interior Design division (ID). DE personnel serve as OBO’s code officials and provide design, research, and technical guidance Bureau-wide for all Department of State facilities overseas, delivering facilities that are safe, secure, functional, and environmentally sustainable and appropriate to their context.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
03/12/2026 to 03/18/2026
Salary
$143,913 - $187,093 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
Arlington, VA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Announcement number
M/OBO-MPI-2026-0005
Control number
860688200

Duties

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  • Serve as an interior design coordinator, responsible for coordinating, tracking, and monitoring program-wide requirements and schedules for DOS and other tenant agencies.
  • Perform as a Contracting Officer’s Representative, exerting control over the management of government funds for the design and construction of overseas facilities and supporting programs.
  • Coordinate interior requirements with A/E contractors and OBO technical disciplines, to include space requirements and standards, adjacencies, furniture and equipment, and finish materials.
  • Lead interior design efforts on Integrated Design Reviews (IDRs) and evaluates performance of contract designers for adherence to contract terms, work progress, schedule, and payment for services.
  • Make technical recommendations regarding the lease or purchase of facilities based on examination of surveys, plans, and specifications.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement.

Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service which the applicant performed work concerning the design and alteration of interior spaces to meet functional and aesthetic needs such as:

  • Identifying, researching, and creatively solving problems pertaining to the function and quality of the interior environment.
  • Performing services relative to interior spaces including programming, design analysis, space planning and aesthetics, using specialized knowledge of interior construction, building systems and components, building codes, equipment, materials, and furnishings.
  • Preparing drawings and documents relative to the design of interior spaces in order to enhance and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
  • Coordinating and integrating the mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering disciplines within the interior context.
  • Managing projects, developing cost estimates, evaluating bid proposals, reviewing construction documents, participating in on-site construction visits, conducting pre- and post-occupancy evaluations, developing standards for efficient space management, etc.

In addition, qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience establishing and coordinating functional requirements across technical disciplines, to include developing space requirements, architectural and engineering coordination, accessibility standards, finish material specification, workplace design, furniture specification and space standards for a commercial facility.
  • Experience with oral, written, and graphic communication to deliver clear and concise messaging in support of a commercial facility.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 position.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

  • For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at OAA@state.gov. 
  • If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. 
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume limited to two pages will be conducted and evaluated by an HR specialist to determine if you are qualified for this job. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

• Knowledge of contracting and procurement laws, regulations, practices, procedures, and processes.

• Skill utilizing computer programs related to interior design.

• Ability to interpret and apply working drawings, design specifications, and familiarity with construction standards.

• Knowledge of principles, theories, concepts, and professional practices of interior design and the design process.

• Skill in budgeting, scheduling work, and procurement for project planning and supervision.

• Ability to provide expert and authoritative advice and guidance on emerging issues, trends and technologies in interior design.

Agency Career and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) candidates must be rated "Well Qualified" and submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job to receive consideration for selection priority. To be considered well-qualified, in addition to meeting minimum qualifications, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all of the major aspects of the position.


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Department of State - Agency Wide

The U.S. Department of State, our country’s lead foreign policy agency, provides employees with a dynamic international career whether at home or abroad and unique professional development opportunities.  Each day, our employees make a difference as they advance the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity, through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance.  We embrace our talented workforce which reflects the personal, professional, and educational strengths of our country. 

Named one of America’s Best Employers by Forbes, we offer a workplace that values and rewards leadership, collaboration, innovation, and personal and professional development. Visit careers.state.gov to learn more about what it's like to work at the U.S. Department of State, what the agency does, the wide range of careers this agency offers, and the benefits available to employees.

Agency contact information

Daniel Seebaugh
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
seebaughDS@state.gov
Address
U.S. Department of State
Not accepting applications by Mail
Charleston, South Carolina 29405
United States

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