Supervisory Architect

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, Program Development, Coordination and Support Directorate, Office of Design and Engineering, Architectural Design Division (OBO/PDCS/DE/AD).

DE personnel serve as code officials and provide design, research, and technical assistance bureau-wide for all Department of State (DOS) facilities overseas, ensuring safer, more secure, and more functional facilities through the implementation of Excellence in Diplomatic Facilities.

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.

[If you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement.

Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.

Applicants applying as Architects must show that they possess a professional knowledge of architecture as evidenced by one of the following: Basic Requirements: A.

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 B.

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 1 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.

Non-qualifying Experience: The following kinds of experience are NOT acceptable as professional architectural experience: professional landscape architecture work consisting mainly of the layout, design, construction, or maintenance of land areas and landscape features, including ground and water forms, vegetation, roads, walks, incidental structures, and other landscape features; experience in the application of artistic embellishment to practical design such as the decoration of interiors, including the construction, layout, and selection of furniture and furnishings that do not alter the basic architectural design of the interior; city and community planning work that relates to the broad social and economic growth and development of such community services and facilities as industry, commerce, transportation, streets, utilities, and parks.

Note: All applicants MUST submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement.

If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you WILL lose consideration for this position.

IN ADDITION to meeting one of the basic qualifications requirements listed above, the applicant MUST have at least 1 full year of specialized architectural experience that has equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the Federal service.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience planning and directing an architecture and design management program that establishes strategic priorities in the creation of buildings.

AND Experience managing, supervising or mentoring a group to ensure program requirements are met. AND Experience presenting architectural concepts to internal and external stakeholders.

Note: All applicants MUST submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement.

If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you WILL lose consideration for this position.In addition, applicant's experience must also demonstrate that the candidate possesses the following qualities: Ability to assign, review, and supervise the work of others; Objectivity and fairness in judging people on their ability, and situations on the facts and circumstances; Ability to adjust to change, work pressures, or difficult situations without undue stress; Willingness to consider new ideas or divergent points of view; and Capacity to "see the job through." Major Duties:

• Ensure technical adequacy and quality of all architectural functions for all projects, and review architectural and engineering contract documents at all major stages for planning principles, functional requirements, maintainability, and durability.
• Plan and direct a program to interpret and coordinate the requirements for buildings under design, including OBO design criteria, security and communications requirements, and tenant requirements.
• Work closely with all of DE's Engineering Divisions on all aspects of value engineering, research engineering, and technical standards to ensure that the proper architectural expertise is considered on building materials and systems.
• Continuously evaluate Division programs in terms of mission accomplishment, quality and quantity standards, procedural and regulatory compliance, and technical competence.
• Determine workload and technical requirements for recommended outsourcing of needed services in support of project goals and objectives.