Architect

Full Job Description

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Serves as Project Architect. Prepares plans, specifications, design analysis and estimates for all aspects of architectural design for buildings and related projects.

Design includes both military and civil works projects. Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below.

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).

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

Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.

Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirements: 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.

Specialized Experience: For GS-09: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) managing projects throughout the lifecycle of the project; AND 2) reviewing plans, designs, and specifications prepared by others.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Business Management or Real Estate.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12.

Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.

For GS-11: One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience in addition to the basic educational requirement, noted above.

Specialized experience is that which includes: 1) Evaluation and design of civil/military projects; 2) managing projects throughout the lifecycle of the project; AND 3) reviewing plans, designs, and specifications prepared by others.

(Your resume must support your responses) This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

OR Education: Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12.

Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. Major Duties:

• Prepares plans, specifications, design analysis and estimates for all aspects of architectural design for buildings and related projects.
• Ensures that the architectural design meets all current code, user, and aesthetic requirements.
• Coordinates the architectural design with all other disciplines involved in the project.
• Provides technical direction and coordination to team members.
• Reviews shop drawings for contract compliance.
• Maintains knowledge of current design and code criteria.
• Prepares complete architectural design drawings in compliance with agency criteria and needs of the project, including floor plans, interior and exterior elevations, sections, details, perspectives and various schedules.
• Overseas and reviews for sufficiency all drafting of final architectural construction drawings, including drawings supplied by engineering specialists.
• Evaluates technical data pertaining to materials, equipment, methods of construction.