Job Title:Architect/Engineer (General, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil) - Pathways Recent Graduate
Department:General Services Administration
Agency:Public Buildings Service
Job Announcement Number:1505035LBOTR
SALARY RANGE: | $55,116.00 to $68,950.00 / Per Year |
OPEN PERIOD: | Monday, June 8, 2015 to Wednesday, June 17, 2015 |
SERIES & GRADE: | GS-0801-09 |
POSITION INFORMATION: | Full-time - Excepted appointment which may be non-competitively converted to a permanent position. |
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:12 | |
DUTY LOCATIONS: | FEW vacancies - Chicago, IL View Map FEW vacancies - Indianapolis, IN View Map FEW vacancies - Detroit, MI View Map FEW vacancies - Grand Rapids, MI View Map FEW vacancies - Minneapolis, MN View Map More Locations (4) |
WHO MAY APPLY: |
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SECURITY CLEARANCE: | Public Trust - Background Investigation |
SUPERVISORY STATUS: | No |
JOB SUMMARY:
As an architect or engineer, you will be responsible for assisting in the overall architectural/engineering (A/E) project management of various leasing, design and construction projects assigned, including, but not limited to, planning, acquisition, design, and construction of new buildings and complexes, as well as the renovation of existing ones.
These positions are located in the Project Management Branches of the Chicago Service Center Operations Division, Southern Service Center Operations Division and the Northern Service Center Operations Division. These offices are responsible for developing, directing, acquiring and delivering services related to the operations, maintenance, and repair of Federal buildings and leased space.
Selected candidates will be required to make progress toward completing all requirements required to obtain and/or maintain at least a Level I Federal Acquisition Certification-Program/Project Management (FAC P/PM) and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) certification and will be expected to make substantive progress toward achieving a Level III FAC P/PM and Level III COR certification in order to work on the full range of GSA projects.
These positions are being announced under the Pathways Recent Graduates Program. This program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. The program lasts for 1 year (unless the training requirements of the position warrant a longer and more structured training program). Additional information about the Recent Graduates Program can be found at http://www.opm.gov/HiringReform/Pathways/program/graduates/
DUTIES:
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The selected candidate will learn the duties and responsibilities pertaining to project planning, design, construction and repair of buildings. Responsibilities will include assisting a higher level architect, engineer, or project manager in the following duties with the opportunity for increased autonomy upon demonstrated proficiency:
- Developing, managing, or monitoring design, new construction or alterations projects and related services in Federal and Federally leased buildings.
- As part of quality assurance or quality control, reviewing design and related documents of private sector architects and consulting engineers.
- Preparing of statements of work, determinations and findings, solicitation documents and detailed instructions for guidance to architects and consulting engineers.
- Participating in selecting and negotiating A/E, consultant, or contractor selection, and negotiations for design, post-construction contract award, construction, and other related A/E, consultant, or contractor services.
- Conducting site surveys to determine condition of structures and systems, evaluating requirements and recommends incorporation, modification or exclusion of various project features to best meet project requirements.
- Serving as the Contracting Officer’ Representative (COR) which includes reviewing, inspecting and directing the work as it proceeds in compliance with contract requirements.
- Reviewing cost estimates, specifications and design analyses submitted by contract designers and others for accuracy and technical adequacy.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
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The GS-9 salary range starts at $55,116 per year, if you meet the following qualifications. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
All applicants must meet either the Basic Requirements for Architects or Engineers.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGINEERS: A Degree in professional engineering OR a combination of college-level education, training, and/or technical experience. For specifics on qualifying education and/or experience - use the following link: Basic Requirements for Engineer Positions.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ARCHITECTS: A Degree in architecture or related field; OR a combination of college-level education, training, and/or technical experience. For specifics on qualifying education, training, and/or experience - use the following link: Basic Requirements for Architect Positions.
In addition to the Basic Requirements, all applicants must meet one of the following in order to qualify for the GS-9 level:
All applicants must meet either the Basic Requirements for Architects or Engineers.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGINEERS: A Degree in professional engineering OR a combination of college-level education, training, and/or technical experience. For specifics on qualifying education and/or experience - use the following link: Basic Requirements for Engineer Positions.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ARCHITECTS: A Degree in architecture or related field; OR a combination of college-level education, training, and/or technical experience. For specifics on qualifying education, training, and/or experience - use the following link: Basic Requirements for Architect Positions.
In addition to the Basic Requirements, all applicants must meet one of the following in order to qualify for the GS-9 level:
- Registered to practice architecture by one of the State registration boards, using standards in compliance with the basic minimum provisions recommended by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards; OR
- At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is progressively responsible experience in the design of construction or alteration projects involving buildings or major building systems of moderate complexity; or assisting in the coordination of the activities of architects, engineers, tenants and construction contractors on such projects. Such experience must also include having assisted in managing projects and/or portions of projects (balance scope/quality, schedule and budget) requiring the services of multiple disciplines from project initiation phase through project closeout; OR
- Two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or a master's or equivalent graduate degree that is directly related to the position; OR
- A combination of graduate level education and appropriate experience that together meet the qualification requirements of this position.
Qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, so failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. For a brief video on How to Create a Federal Resume, click here.
Qualifying educational institutions/program for Recent Graduate Program include: a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.
You must provide a copy of ALL of your college/vocational/technical transcript(s), including current enrollment. See "Required Documents" section for additional information.
Preference eligible veterans precluded from applying due to military service obligation may apply up to 2 years from the date of discharge/release from active duty, but no more than 6 years after the date educational requirements are met. Applicants may refer to the U.S. Department of Education's Institutional Accreditation System to determine whether their school/program is accredited: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx.
A post-secondary certificate program must have been completed at a qualifying educational institution equivalent to at least 1 academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum.
Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. See OPM's General Policies for information on crediting education.
You must provide a copy of ALL of your college/vocational/technical transcript(s), including current enrollment. See "Required Documents" section for additional information.
Preference eligible veterans precluded from applying due to military service obligation may apply up to 2 years from the date of discharge/release from active duty, but no more than 6 years after the date educational requirements are met. Applicants may refer to the U.S. Department of Education's Institutional Accreditation System to determine whether their school/program is accredited: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx.
A post-secondary certificate program must have been completed at a qualifying educational institution equivalent to at least 1 academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum.
Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. See OPM's General Policies for information on crediting education.
If selected, you must meet the following conditions:
- Serve a one year trial period (unless you have previously satisfied this requirement).
- Be able to make a direct deposit of your salary check to a financial organization.
- Males born after December 31, 1959 and who are at least 18 years of age must have registered with the Selective Service.
- Complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment" (OF-306) to determine suitability for Federal employment.
- Undergo a background investigation and receive a favorable adjudication.
- If you are not a current GSA employee, you must complete the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 to determine identity and employment (work status) eligibility. GSA will verify the information through the DHS e-Verify automated system. Any identified discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
- Complete an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, and obtain approval that no conflict or an appearance of conflict exists between your financial interest and this position.
- Undergo a background investigation and receive favorable adjudication. This position has been designated as a Public Trust Position.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
The Category Rating procedure is being used to rate candidates. If you are found qualified for the position, your responses to the self assessment vacancy questions will be used to place you in one of the following categories: Qualified, Well Qualified, Best Qualified. Your responses to the vacancy questions must be supported by your resume or the Human Resources Specialist may adjust your responses lower. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veterans' preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Appropriate documentation must be received to adjudicate veterans' preference. You will be evaluated on the vacancy related questions that were designed to assess your overall possession of the following competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Ability to manage projects, priorities, and requirements;
- Knowledge of procurement principles and procedures and of different types of contracts;
- Familiarity with contract monitoring and contract termination functions;
- Knowledge of established assessment and evaluative techniques and methodologies including cost/benefit analysis, acquisition planning, risk management, knowledge management, and forecasting;
- Knowledge and understanding of the Federal funding process and budget process;
- Knowledge of professional A/E principles, concepts and practices applicable to the design, layout, construction, repair and/or alterations to a variety of conventional structures.
- Knowledge and skill to adapt standard design and construction practices and techniques to establish design parameters; and prepare project justifications and specifications for plans and designs for new construction and renovation projects;
- Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
To preview questions please click here.
BENEFITS:
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You can review our benefits at: http://www.opm.gov/insure/federal_employ/index.asp
OTHER INFORMATION:
- Bargaining Unit status: NFFE
- If you are selected for this position at a grade lower than the full performance level, you may be promoted up to that grade level without further competition in accordance with all applicable regulations. However, promotions are not guaranteed and are dependent on performance.
- Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses are not authorized for this position. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the successful applicant.
- Additional vacancies may be filled from this announcement as needed. This vacancy announcement does not preclude filling this position by other means. Management also has the right not to fill the position.
HOW TO APPLY:
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You must submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the Announcement. Errors or omissions may result in your not being considered for this vacancy. A description of the online process is provided below. For more information on applying for a GSA vacancy, please visitApplying for a GSA Job.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. Once you have completed this step, select "Apply for this Position Now!"
- Complete your personal information within GSAjobs. Once you’ve been redirected to GSA’s automated system, follow the prompts to create, review, or update your personal information. This information is used to determine your eligibility to apply for this position so be sure that it is up to date.
- Respond to all of the vacancy specific questions.
- Submit any required documents. A "Vacancy Documents" page is automatically displayed by the GSAjobs system. Review the Required Documents section of this announcement to determine which apply to you. You may choose one of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload; USAJOBS, or FAX. We strongly recommend you read the "Fax Instructions" provided on the Document Manager page prior to printing the Fax Cover Sheet and faxing your information.
- Respond to any Additional Assessment Questions. If you are presented with additional assessment questions, be sure to respond to them or you may not be considered.
- Save a copy of your application. Once you have completed the application process, you will receive an ‘Application Review’ page. Review your application and follow the instructions to save or print a copy.
- Click the "FINISH' button. At the bottom of the ‘Application Review’ page, YOU MUST CLICK THE 'FINISH' BUTTON to complete and submit your application.