Clarification from the agency

See Requirements section of this announcement for information on who may apply. 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 is a developmental position in which the incumbent performs progressively more complex duties and responsibilities on a gradual basis leading to the full performance level of GS-12.

The individual selected for this position will perform the following duties:

• Provides consultation to both AOC and contract architects and engineers on the cost implications of design alternatives and may be expected to review proposed project change orders and contract modification costs for conformance with original costs projections and the budgetary implications of executing the work.
• During construction phases of design projects, reviews modification prices for conformance with budget and original cost projections.
• Provides a range of cost management technical services and reviews, including preparation of cost estimates for construction projects, cost planning and detailed cost estimating through planning and execution phases, preparation of Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCE) to facilitate contract action, proposal price analysis and data management to support institutional historical database requirements.
• Examines project and program requirements and prepares detailed budget estimates for proposed restoration, alteration, rehabilitation, historic preservation, renovation and new construction.
• Prepares professional services design fee estimates within the AOC’s written guidelines, including studies, full construction document designs, program of requirements and other professional fees.
• Reviews and assesses contract deliverable cost engineering products including cost estimates and risk assessments produced by independent third party contract Architect and Engineering (A/E) cost engineers and AOC’s staff generated estimates.
• Collaborates, as necessary with Project Managers and Jurisdictional Executives, assisting in the development of scopes-of-work and estimates, ensuring that sources of proposed materials are available, methods of installation are practical and costs are within budget allotments.
• Works with a scheduler in developing resource-loaded schedules, critical path schedules and analysis techniques, project progress and cost assurance processes, progress measurement and Earned Value management techniques and methodologies used to track cost and schedule performance.
• Working with the Senior Cost Estimator, maintains and updates the agency master cost estimating database.
• Prepares cost and methods reports for feasibility studies utilized by architectural and engineering design and management staff.
• Consults with the Senior Cost Estimator and the supervisor to support the administration of a complex budget involving a variety of program and administrative expenses relating to construction costs.
• Assists in preparing the capital expenditure aspects of capital improvement budget requests for agency appropriations presented to Congress.

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 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. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.

For the GS-11:

You must meet the following education and/or specialized experience requirements to be qualified for this position:

Candidates for the GS-11 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-09) grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates the following:

• Assisting in the development of cost estimates for construction projects.
• Reviewing cost estimates for accuracy and compliance with applicable standards.
• Working with engineers, architects, and contractors to ensure cost estimates are in compliance with budget and cost projections.

--OR--

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree: Major study in architecture, engineering, building construction, or other fields related to the position or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.

--OR--

Combination of specialized experience and education. 

For the GS-12:

Candidates for the GS-12 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-11) grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates the following:

• Developing cost estimates for new construction and/or interior and exterior alterations, restorations, historic preservation, additions and repairs to existing structures.
• Reviewing and revising cost estimates for accuracy and compliance with applicable standards.
• Performing cost estimates using SUCCESS Estimator, Cost-OS or equivalent cost estimating software.
• Working with engineers, architects, and contractors to ensure cost estimates are in compliance with project budget and cost projections.

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:

• Knowledge of cost estimating methods and techniques
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication

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).