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Posted: February 12, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Architect

U.S. Coast Guard

Department of Homeland Security

Fresh

Salary

$95,326 - $123,927

per year

Closes

February 22, 2026More DHS jobs →

GS-12 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job is for an architect in the U.S. Coast Guard who designs, plans, and oversees the construction or renovation of buildings and facilities to support the agency's operations.

It involves managing projects from start to finish, reviewing designs and estimates, and ensuring everything meets safety and functional standards.

A good fit would be someone with a strong background in architecture or architectural engineering, plus hands-on experience in building projects, who enjoys both creative design and technical problem-solving.

Key Requirements

  • Degree in architecture or related field with at least 60 semester hours in architecture, including 30 hours in architectural design and 6 hours each in structural technology, properties of materials/methods of construction, and environmental control systems
  • Or, combination of education and experience providing thorough knowledge of architectural principles, demonstrated by related curriculum or equivalent experience (e.g., 1 year of architectural work per year short of degree, or 5 years without college courses)
  • At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 level, such as managing construction, renovation, or repair projects from planning to execution
  • Experience reviewing architectural and engineering designs, calculations, drawings, specifications, and cost estimates for complex facilities
  • Ability to submit transcripts with application to verify education requirements
  • U.S. citizenship and suitability for federal employment (implied for DHS/Coast Guard position)

Full Job Description

This vacancy is for a GS - 0808 - 12, Architect located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, SILC BOD ADMINISTRATION BRANCH in NORFOLK, Virginia.

Basic Requirements: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience or substitution of education for experience or combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified.

Transcripts MUST be submitted with your application package.

You MUST meet the following requirements: EDUCATION: Degree: architecture; or related field that included 60 semester hours of course work in architecture or related disciplines of which at least (1) 30 semester hours were in architectural design, and (2) 6 semester hours were in each of the following: structural technology, properties of materials and methods of construction, and environmental control systems.

OR Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the arts and sciences underlying professional architecture, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the architectural principles, methods, and techniques and their applications to the design and construction or improvement of buildings.

The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by at least one of the following: Related Curriculum: Degree in architectural engineering may be accepted as satisfying in full the basic requirements, provided the completed course work in architectural engineering provided knowledge, skills, and abilities substantially equivalent to those provided in the courses specified in paragraph A.

The curriculum for a degree in either architecture or architectural engineering covers function, esthetics, site, structure, economics, mechanical-electrical, and other engineering problems related to the design and construction of buildings primarily (but not exclusively) intended to house human activities.

The courses required for a degree in architecture generally place emphasis upon planning, esthetics, and materials and methods of construction, while the courses for an architectural engineering degree place equal or greater weight on the technical engineering aspects such as structural systems, mechanical systems, and the properties of materials.

Because of this difference in emphasis, persons with degrees in architecture may have a preference for work assignments that offer greater opportunities for them to express their artistic and creative abilities.

As a result, they may be more concerned with planning and design aspects of architecture, and persons with degrees in architectural engineering may be more engaged in aspects emphasizing technical engineering considerations.

Experience: An applicant lacking a degree in architecture must have had l year of experience in an architect's office or in architectural work for each year short of graduation from a program of study in architecture.

In the absence of college courses, 5 years of such experience is required.

This experience must have demonstrated that the applicant has acquired a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional architecture.

AND To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the federal sector.

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.

Managing projects involving new construction, renovation, or repair of facilities from planning through execution.

Reviewing architectural and engineering designs, calculations, drawings, specifications, and cost estimates for complex facilities or infrastructure projects.

Monitoring construction activities, reviewing technical submittals, performing site inspections, and resolving construction-related technical issues.

Applying building codes, life-safety, ADA, environmental, and Federal engineering regulations to facility projects.

NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or related applicable assessment) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

NOTE: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:

You will serve as anArchitect and be responsible for independent technical reviews, project scoping, field investigation, planning, cost estimating, problem and conflict resolution, scheduling, design production and construction .` Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team.

Typical work assignments include: Develop project scope, objectives, schedules, and cost estimates for complex projects Perform architectural design and technical analysis for new construction and renovation projects from concept through final design.

Manage construction execution, inspections, technical submittals, and contractor performance.

Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, stakeholders, and customers to resolve complex technical and programmatic issues.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.

Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.

Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.

If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision.

You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement.

To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Reasonable Accommodation Information

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/12/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/13/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 26-12870735-SE-RF-DE