Clarification from the agency

This position is open to the Architect of the Capitol employees only. Please be advised that federal retired annuitant candidates may only be considered as a temporary employee if the role can be filled in that capacity. This position is open until filled.

Emergency Essential: The incumbent is required to report during emergencies, equipment failures, and inclement weather to support CPP’s critical mission.

Chemical Program Leadership and Analysis (50%) 

Leads the scientific design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the CPP Chemical Treatment Program. 

Conducts and oversees advanced chemical analyses of water samples using professional chemical principles and laboratory instrumentation. 

Interprets complex chemical data to develop and refine treatment protocols, ensuring optimal system performance and regulatory compliance. 

Serves as the technical authority on corrosion, scaling, and fouling control strategies, applying thermodynamic and kinetic principles to resolve persistent water quality issues. 

Develops and maintains laboratory quality assurance protocols and ensures adherence to scientific standards. 

Provides expert consultation to CPP staff and AOC jurisdictions on chemical treatment issues, including startup, lay-up, and troubleshooting of treated systems.

Strategic Program Management and Innovation (30%) 

Manages the long-term planning and budgeting for the chemical treatment program, including forecasting chemical usage, laboratory needs, and contract support. 

Develops and implements new chemical treatment technologies and methodologies based on scientific research and industry best practices. 

Authors and maintains Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and technical guidance documents for chemical treatment and testing. 

Analyzes historical and real-time data to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities for optimization. 

Leads training and certification programs for Power Plant Operators and other staff on chemical treatment systems and procedures. 

Represents the CPP in interagency working groups, technical committees, and regulatory discussions related to water chemistry and environmental compliance. 

Contract Oversight and Technical Collaboration (20%) 

Serves as the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) for chemical treatment contracts, providing technical input on scopes of work, performance metrics, and deliverables. 

Reviews contractor proposals, evaluates technical adequacy, and monitors performance to ensure compliance with specifications and scientific standards. 

Collaborates with engineers, project managers, and external consultants to resolve complex chemical and operational challenges. 

Provides expert advice on contract modifications, change orders, and claims related to chemical treatment systems. 

Ensures compliance with all applicable safety, environmental, and hazardous materials regulations.

Conditions of employment

• You must be able to pass a drug test.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
• You must possess a bachelor's or higher degree in Engineering.
• May require COTR certification and confined space certification.

“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.”

DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC’s suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.

The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.

The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm

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 web site at OPM qualification standards

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.

Candidates for the GS-13 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as the following: Experience leading chemical treatment programs, developing new technologies, and serving as subject matter expert.

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

• Mastery knowledge of professional chemistry theories, concepts, and principles sufficient to apply new developments and experienced judgment to solve novel or obscure problems.
• Knowledge and skill to extend and modify existing techniques and develop new approaches for the analysis of recurring chemical problems, or equivalent skill and knowledge.

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 non-selection or disqualification from 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).