Architect

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 111,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA APHIS seeks an architect to lead planning, design, construction, and facilities improvements for APHIS-owned or leased buildings. You will define requirements, manage architectural projects, and collaborate with program staff and contractors to ensure compliant execution.

Responsibilities include developing plans and specifications, reviewing technical designs, and advising on construction phase activities while ensuring adherence to agency standards and schedules.

Qualifications

• Degree: architecture or related field with 60 semester hours in architecture or related disciplines, including 30 hours in architectural design and 6 hours in structural tech, materials, construction methods, and environmental control systems.
• Combination of Education and Experience showing knowledge of architectural principles and their applications to design/construction.
• GS-13 requires one year of specialized experience including: preparing designs, reviewing designs, briefing leadership, analyzing data, producing architectural drawings.

Responsibilities

• Serves as project manager on major construction initiatives; forms design teams and sets priorities within budget.
• Develops architectural plans/specifications for new structures and renovations.
• Consults on policies for development of architectural specs, costs, materials, and related phases.
• Translates program requirements into plans with applicable design standards.
• Reviews and revises plans, specs, estimates, layouts and equipment requests.
• Monitors construction to ensure compliance with plans and timelines.
• Participates in APHIS Architect‑Engineer Evaluation Board for qualification assessments.
• Reviews bids and contract proposals providing recommendations.
• Serves as Contracting Officer's Representative providing technical expertise during construction.
• Participates in committees with federal/state/local groups ensuring compliance with laws.

Education

Degree in architecture

Combination of Education and Experience

Job description

Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service

Job Summary

This position is part of the Engineering Branch under the Administrative Services Division. The position is responsible for professional architectural work in support of planning, design, construction, utilities, alterations, repairs, and installation of fixed equipment in APHIS owned/leased buildings and facilities. The position takes an active role in defining and developing the requirements of APHIS staff regarding architecture project management and construction initiatives.

Qualifications

• BASIC REQUIREMENT: 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 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 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.
• - AND- FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: (1) Preparing architectural/engineering designs, specifications, and estimates; (2) Reviewing and providing technical comments on architectural/engineering designs, specifications, and estimates; (3) Briefing leadership on the status, progress, and issues surrounding architectural projects; (4) Analyzing, interpreting, and compiling quantitative data and construction documents to support planning, reporting, and decision-making; (5) Producing architectural drawings that incorporate applicable design standards and requirements. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

Major Duties

• Serves as project manager on many major construction initiatives, forms design teams, determines what may be provided to the program within budgetary constraints and identifies and optimizes project priorities.
• Develops architectural plans and/or specifications for the design and construction of new structures as well as the renovation of existing structures.
• Serves as consultant and advisor concerning the development of policies for the preparation of architectural specifications, costs, materials, and related architectural phases of construction projects.
• Translates technical knowledge of program requirements through application of sound architectural principles to plans and specifications for other architectural and engineering specialists, firm or contractors.
• Reviews and revises plans, specifications, estimates, layouts and equipment requests submitted by architect‑engineers and other pertinent personnel for construction projects for which the branch is responsible.
• Monitors construction to see that work proceeds in accordance with the plans and specifications, proper sequence and timelines.
• Serves on the APHIS Architect‑Engineer Evaluation Board in cooperation with the contracting officer to evaluate qualifications, relevant experience and capabilities of prospective architect‑engineers to meet APHIS construction project needs.
• Participates in reviews of bids, contract proposals and specifications giving recommendations of approval or modifications.
• Serve as Contracting Officer's Representative providing technical expertise and advice during construction of facilities and makes recommendations to the Contracting Officer regarding contractor notice and/or suspension.
• Serves on committees with federal, state and local government groups and ensures compliance with EPA, state, and local requirements/laws.

Position Start Date

09/17/2026

Position Close Date

09/23/2026

Salary Offered

111147 - 154280 USD Per Year

You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!