Architect/General Engineer (Specifications/Project Control)

Summary

This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol, Office of the Chief Engineer. The selectee serves as an Architect or General Engineer with a specialty in construction specifications, process improvement, and developing policy or guidance documents.

Duties

The selectee will be responsible for the preparation and review of construction contract specifications, implementing a lessons learned program, implementing project controls and process improvements, and developing or updating policy and/or guidance documents. Major Duties: Architecture/Engineering Specification Development and Maintenance Develops, revises and updates AOC guidance for preparing specifications for use on all types of projects, including “prescriptive” and “performance”. Prescriptive specifications are further subdivided into descriptive, reference standards and proprietary specifications. Project specifications are an integral part of contracts for service, construction, repair and renovation work. Keeps abreast of new developments in specification processing systems and provides consultative services to Associate A/E firms and AOC Project Managers on the AOC's use of Master Specifications which is the primary specification system used by the AOC, other Federal construction agencies, and most consulting Architects and Engineers. Evaluates and selects reference information to be included in the AOC Specifications and Standards library; Maintains the agency's specifications and materials library and its resource guides; Ensures that preservation and sustainability are principal considerations in using codes, standards and design build for historic structures, emphasizing conservation and restoration criteria. Develops and maintains guide specifications for AOC-wide use. Reviews and provides comments and recommendations on the various design stages of project drawings and specifications developed under contract by Associate A/E firms and by AOC personnel. Separate review actions may include all or part of particular design stage submission. Reviews project designs to assure that they meet contractual policies (i.e., maximum competition and equitable basis for bids); that the drawings and specifications describe the complete work in a complimentary manner without conflicts, duplications, or omissions; that the equipment, materials, products, and systems selected are technically adequate and of the appropriate quality as reflected by current design criteria and policy; that the fabrication, manufacturing, and construction practices required allow the Contractor to efficiently provide the work while facilitating contract administration and construction inspection. Guides design team efforts in the development and preparation of project specifications. Lessons Learned Program / Process Development and Process Improvement Develops, coordinates, implements, and leads the AOC's Lessons Learned Program. Reviews all lessons learned entered by end users in AOC's Project Management Information System (PMIS) for data quality and to ensure the scope of the lesson and the solution is accurately captured. Conducts a lessons learned workshop at the completion of major construction project with the project team and stakeholders; Collects and summarizes lessons learned that had the greatest impact on the project (cost, schedule, scope, etc.,) and conducts an out brief at project closeout. Ensures lessons learned are captured in PMIS for future use on other projects. leads working groups, assigns initiatives for collaboration, and works with other subject matter experts or managers in the development of technical solutions to address gaps in processes and procedures; Drafts technical solutions and makes recommendations to senior management for implementation. Document and Process Control Develops and updates written SOPs, user manuals and process documents. Review design and construction documents for compliance with AOC standards, policies and guidelines, constructability standards, professional practice, construction specifications, project design documents and cost engineering as well as procurement documentation. Acts as a Project Manager and Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) for contracts and task orders. Review and provide professional guidance on the various design stages of project specifications developed under contract by A/E firms and by AOC personnel. Develops contracts and task orders for the acquisition of consultant-prepared services related to construction quality, specifications and safety . Performs other related duties as assigned.

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. Candidates for the GS-13 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-12) grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position must demonstrate all of the following: Progressive professional experience in the areas of construction management, contracting, quality control, and engineer/architecture design. Broad knowledge and experience developing and maintaining specifications for contracted construction, repair and renovation projects and services. Evaluating project performance, developing or evaluating lessons learned, proposing solutions to problems, and implementing project controls and process improvements. Developing and maintaining policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), specifications and design documents and ensuring organizational compliance. Serving as a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) or equivalent for construction or architecture/engineering design projects and related activities.

Education

In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirements for this position, applicants must possess the following: Education Required for Architects: 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. 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 tho