Summary About the Position: Serves the staff elements of the District and other agency staff elements as a consultant and expert in architectural problems involving design, construction, and operations. This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for OPM Government-wide Direct Hire Authority to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. Responsibilities Performs architectural design and review work for both Host Nation and US funded projects. Projects cover problems ranging from the conventional to the complex and require a capability of adapting precedence and engineering theories and principles to the particular needs of the project. Reviews architectural designs prepared by Architect-Engineers (A-E) to ensure design excellence and that user and funding requirements are met. Prepares the engineering criteria and detailed as well general parameters for guidance in preparing contract plans and specifications. Checks designs for proper interpretation and application of building codes, established technical criteria, sound engineering principles, and standard practices. Responsible in serving other staff elements of the District and other agency staff elements as consultant and technical expert in mechanical engineering problems involving planning, design, construction, and operations. Applies advanced concepts, principles, and practices of architecture to interpret and develop technical criteria. Prepares replies to architect-engineer firms, other Districts/Centers, or contractors/manufacturers regarding the mechanical portions to set forth the basis for exceptions taken and revisions required in proposed mechanical systems. Perform inspections and assessments of existing facilities and develops memos and reports with recommendations for correction or improvement. Maintain awareness of current advances in architectural design and construction to recommend changes in programs, practices, methods or design procedures. Ensures that design drawings, design analysis, and specifications are accurate, and that conclusion and assumptions are sound. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who May Apply: All US Citizens If you are currently stationed in the overseas area, all of your overseas time will be credited toward your current overseas tour end date. Your overseas time served will not reset upon accepting this assignment. If you have returned from OCONUS within the past 2 years or less, your time previously served in the OCONUS area will be credited to your 5 year overseas rotation upon accepting this assignment. In order to qualify, you must meet the education and 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. Basic Education Requirement for Architect GS-0808-12: A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in architecture or in a 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: (1) Related Curriculum - Degree in architecture provided the completed course work in architecture provided knowledge, skills, and abilities substantially equivalent to those provided in the courses specified in statement A above, or (2) Experience: 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 any college courses, 5 years of such experience is required. This experience must have demonstrated that you have acquired a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional architecture. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: performing engineering operations in a public works environment; utilizing architectural and engineering principles and policies; and providing engineering construction/ project management, engineering facilities/ infrastructure management and services such as design, construction, and maintenance of structures, facilities, and utilities. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11). Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-11). Separated Military Members: Resumes will be accepted from members of the Armed Forces who indicate in their applications that they are available for appointment within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. Military members may be appointed while on terminal/transitional leave, before the effective date of their military retirement/separation. Military Retirees: Within the DoD (Department of Defense), including non-appropriated fund positions, the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following the retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326 or 5 U.S.C. 5305. Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted. Additional Information Direct deposit of pay is required. U.S. citizens overseas under ordinarily resident status are not eligible for appointment under the Status of Forces Agreement. Locality pay does not apply in the overseas area. If an employee brings a child to an overseas location and that child is entitled to attend a DoD school on a space-required basis in accordance with DoDEA Regulation 1342.13, the DoDEA and the Military Department responsible for providing related services will ensure that the child, if eligible for special education, receives a free appropriate public education, including related services pursuant to DoDI 1342.12 and DoDM 1342.12. If an employee brings an infant or toddler (up to 3 years of age) to an overseas location, and that infant or toddler, but for the child's age, is entitled to attend the DoDEA on a space-required basis in accordance with DoDEA Regulation 1342.13, then the Military Department responsible for EIS will provide the infant or toddler with the required EIS in accordance with the eligibility criteria consistent with DoDI 1342.12 and DoDM 1342.12. Employees (and family members) who require medical or dental care in the overseas location will be responsible for obtaining and paying for such care. Access for civilian employees and their families to military medical and dental treatment facilities is on a space-available and reimbursable basis only. Pay retention may be offered to selected applicants for positions at overseas locations. Pay retention will not be offered as an incentive for employees moving between overseas positions. Selectees may receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, home leave, etc. Selectees will have their eligibility for foreign area benefits determined at the time of hire in accordance with Department of State Standardized Regulation (DSSR) and DoDI 1400.25 volume 1250. For positions in a foreign country, that country's laws or international agreements may have a direct impact on the ability of an employee's same sex domestic partner or spouse to accompany the employee and receive certain benefits. If you believe you may be affected by these laws and agreements, you should familiarize yourself with relevant information and direct questions concerning a specific country (Foreign Duty Location) to the appropriate Army Human Resources point of contact prior to the acceptance of employment and your entrance on duty. This is a(n) Engineers & Scientists Career Field position. The initial length of this overseas tour is 24 months for Camp Foster & 36 months for Camp Zama. Defense National Relocation Program will not be authorized. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations. Relocation/Recruitment/ or Advanced in Hire incentive may be authorized for eligible candidates based on funding availability. Student Loan Repayment/Advanced Leave Accrual/Separate Maintenance Allowance are not authorized.