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***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

NOTE: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-09 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds.

Key responsibilities include:
Space Planning: Analyzing available space to create efficient layouts that support medical services and patient traffic.

Patient-Centered Design: Creating environments that promote healing and comfort, using color schemes, lighting, and furniture to reduce stress and anxiety.

Safety and Infection Control: Ensuring compliance with building codes and safety regulations to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.

Materials and Furnishings Selection: Choosing materials that are easy to clean, sanitize, and meet safety standards.

Ergonomics and Accessibility: Designing spaces that are accessible to all ergonomics to prevent strain and discomfort for patients and staff.

*Healthcare interior designers play a crucial role in shaping environments that enhance patient experience, boost staff productivity, and support clinical excellence. They are essential in creating spaces that balance functionality, flexibility, and human experience, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.

Additional duties include, but not limited to, the following:

• Serves as a Consultant Advisor, Specifier, and Designer of all spaces involved in new construction and renovation drawings provided by Architects/Engineers
• Develops and directs planning and scheduling of short and long range interior improvement projects
• Investigates, researches, selects, and specifies furniture, furnishings, and accessories with input from users
• Prepares technical drawings and specifications
• Prepares floor plans, finish plans, furniture plans, elevations, finish schedules, presentation boards, and cost estimates
• Reviews architect submittals for compliance with regulations and facility design criteria
• Monitors, inspects, and certifies that work completed by contractors meets contract specifications
• Reviews shop drawings, contract drawings, and manufacturer's equipment drawing making necessary changes to insure proper fit and operation
• Researches acoustical performance, appropriate ergonomics, adequate lighting, and color coordination
• Originates and enters orders for furniture, signage, window coverings, privacy curtains, floor coverings, art work, ambient lighting, accessories, and interior landscaping
• Advises and recommends improvements for all patient care environments
• Prepares project budgets and yearly furniture and finishes budgets
• Prepares budgetary figures for construction projects for supplemental agreements
• Coordinates the activation process of newly completed buildings and renovations
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Physical Requirements & Work Environment:Work can normally be done while seated, as at a computer keyboard. Frequent waling is required during field surveys and installation of project work. Some lifting is required. The work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office. However, normal safety precautions are required particularly while at construction areas.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS-9 grade level, you must meet one of the following:

Specialized Experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of an Interior Designer, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is experience that required the performance of work concerned with the design and alteration of interior spaces to meet functional and aesthetic needs such as: (1) Identifying, researching, and creatively solving problems pertaining to the function and quality of the interior environment; (2) 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; (3) 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; (4) Coordinating and integrating the mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering disciplines within the interior context; (5) 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. ~OR~

Education: Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree with a major study in interior design or other field that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in interior design, interior architecture, or interior environmental design; or passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination. This education must have been obtained at an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Interior Designer position. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. If attempting to qualify based on passage of the NCIDQ exam, you must also submit a copy of your certification with your application. Certification cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~

Combination: An equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet the total requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Interior Designer position. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must meet one of the following:

Specialized Experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of an Interior Designer, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is experience that required the performance of work concerned with the design and alteration of interior spaces to meet functional and aesthetic needs such as: (1) Identifying, researching, and creatively solving problems pertaining to the function and quality of the interior environment; (2) 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; (3) 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; (4) Coordinating and integrating the mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering disciplines within the interior context; (5) 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. At this level applicants should possess sufficient knowledge and expertise of interior designing to provide consultation/advisory services to project managers and leaders. ~OR~

Education: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree with a major study in interior design or other field that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in interior design, interior architecture, or interior environmental design; or passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination. This education must have been obtained at an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Interior Designer position. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. If attempting to qualify based on passage of the NCIDQ exam, you must also submit a copy of your certification with your application. Certification cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~

Combination: An equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet the total requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Interior Designer position. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

Preferred Experience:
Healthcare interior designers are responsible for creating spaces that are not only functional but also conducive to healing and comfort. They work closely with healthcare professionals to ensure that the design meets the specific needs of medical departments, patient rooms, waiting areas, and staff workplaces.

Driver's License Preferred: It is preferred that applicant's possess a valid, unrestricted state driver's license, have a safe driving record, and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your valid state-issued driver's license.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Architecture
• Contracting/Procurement
• Interpersonal Skills

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 REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Your responses to the assessment questionnaire will be reviewed along with the information provided in your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you are qualified for the position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered and/or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Candidates who apply under All U.S. Citizens announcements will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The categories are defined as follows:

• Best qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
• Highly qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the requirements of the job;
• Well qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job; and
• Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.