Supervisory Architect

Smithsonian Institution; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution, Office of Planning, Design and Construction (OPDC) in Washington, DC, seeks a licensed architect with proven experience leading multi‑discipline design teams on large projects. You will develop comprehensive design packages, coordinate documentation, and manage contract administration through bid and construction phases.

Applicants must show ability to present technical information to senior leadership and stakeholders, coordinate with engineers, architects, and

Qualifications

• Degree in architecture or related field with 60 semester hours in architecture and specified subjects (design, structural tech, materials, environmental controls).
• Combination of education and experience accepted if credentials show knowledge of architectural principles and practice.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive design documents including floorplans, sections, details, schedules and specifications for all phases of design.
• Lead cross‑discipline design teams to produce coordinated design documents and ensure quality control.
• Respond to pre- and post‑bid RFIs and develop ASIs during construction administration.
• Manage architectural contracts on contractor or owner side including planning, budgets, and change orders.
• Prepare and present clear, persuasive technical information to diverse audiences to support decision making.

Skills

Lead design teams

Architectural documentation

Stakeholder communication

Quality control

Project coordination

Education

Architecture degree or related field with specified coursework

Tools

Drafting software

Job description

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the Office of Planning, Design and Construction (OPDC). OPDC is responsible for the Smithsonian's physical infrastructure, which comprises over 700 buildings, other structures and leased spaces many which are designated as historic and all of which are visited by millions of people each year.

(You must submit unofficial school transcripts)

• 1. 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

• 2. 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 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.
  • 2. 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.

Applicants must meet the basic qualification requirements as described in the Office of Personnel Management's Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions. These standards may be viewed in its entirety at the following address on the web at http://www.opm.gov/ qualifications/SEC-III/A/0800-NDX.htm. Architecture Series - Basic Requirements All Professional Engineering Positions - Basic Requirements

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

In addition to the basic qualification requirement above:

You qualify for this position if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system. For this position specialized experience is defined as completing three projects equal to or greater than $2 M in construction value. Experience must also include: using drafting software developing comprehensive design documents to include, floorplans, sections, details, schedules, and specifications for all phases of design; leading/managing cross-discipline design teams developing coordinated design documents for all phases of design to include quality control and reviewing technical documents; responding to pre- and post-bid RFIs and development of architectural supplemental information (ASIs) during construction administration; managing architectural contracts on the contractor or owner side to include project planning, cost and narrative proposal development, resource allocation, and fee negotiations for new work and change orders; and preparing and presenting clear, persuasive technical information to diverse audiences such as senior leadership, engineers, architects, contractors, and stakeholders to communicate architectural concepts that support decision making.

Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.
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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Part-time and/or unpaid experiencerelated to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.