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.
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.
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 thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional architecture.
For a detailed explanation of the related curriculum or experience, please visit the following website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/architecture-series-0808/ Education Required for Engineers: Bachelor's degree in professional engineering: To be creditable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: -- statics, dynamics; -- strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); -- fluid mechanics, hydraulics; -- thermodynamics; -- electrical fields and circuits; -- nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and -- any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
--OR-- Combination of education and experience: College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished: (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.
The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: (a) current registration as a professional engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico; (b) evidence of having successfully passed the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) examination or the written test required for professional registration; (c) successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences that are fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum; or (d) successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field.
For a detailed explanation of the related curriculum or experience, please visit the following website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/general-engineering-series-0801/ Transcripts are required upon selection. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: 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. Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part of foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree.
You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing if selected.
A variety of health insurance plans; retirement system with investment options; paid holidays; paid sick and annual (vacation) leave; life insurance; incentive systems; subsidized transportation; training and development opportunities, etc. The Architect of the Capitol offers eligible employees opportunity to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program.
Nyika.Hinson@aoc.gov · 202.718.5736
This position is with Architect of the Capitol, Legislative Branch.
The posted pay range is $120579 – $156755/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
Applications close on 2026-11-09.
This is a This is an Excepted Service position and does not require or confer Civil Service Competitive Status position.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-24 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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