This position is located in the Civil Rights Division's (Division), Disability Rights Section, Department of Justice. As an Architect, you will utilize your knowledge of advanced architectural concepts, principles, and practices in order to serve as the design and technical expert evaluating and reporting on a variety of projects by other architects, engineers, and design professionals - from the planning stage through design, construction, and occupancy.
As an Architect in DRS your findings, advice, and or technical assistance will be provided to attorneys, architects, paralegals, and other professionals in support of the Department's lead role in the nationwide enforcement under the ADA and Section 504 regarding architecture and physical accessibility. Responsibilities include:
- Providing expert technical and professional advice and assistance;
- Applying innovation, creativity, imagination, resourcefulness, and technical judgment nationally concerning architecture, physical accessibility, barrier removal, and design and construction issues;
- Managing and preparing reports in writing and orally on evaluations of buildings, facilities, and sites;
- Evaluating and resolving complex architectural design issues relating to the physical accessibility of all types of buildings, facilities, and sites, large and small, for people with disabilities used by public and private entities;
- Expertly reviewing architectural designs, plans, blueprints, construction drawings, specifications, change orders, and as-built drawings of architects, engineers, and other professionals for compliance with the ADA and relevant accessibility standards, including the ADA Standards for Accessible Design; and
- Developing criteria and instructions for national technical assistance and training on architecture and physical accessibility issues.
Basic Requirement for Architect:
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 architectural engineering provided the completed course work in architectural engineering provided knowledge, skills, and abilities substantially equivalent to those provided in the courses specified in statement A above. 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. 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 specialized experience requirements listed below:
Specialized Experience Requirements
To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, candidates must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service or other pay system. Examples of specialized experience includes: (1) reading and interpreting building codes and standards; (2) reviewing drawings for compliance with technical standards including the ADA Standards for Accessible Design, to assist in evaluating existing, newly constructed, or altered buildings, facilities, and sites designed and constructed by architects, engineers, and other design professionals; (3) understanding developments in building and site designs in construction, physical accessibility, and barrier removal; (4) utilizing knowledge of technical standards, including those under the ADA, Section 504, the Fair Housing Act, the Architectural Barriers Act, and other federal laws addressing physical accessibility and their interrelationships.
To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, candidates must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service or other pay system. Examples of specialized experience includes: (1) understanding and applying advanced developments in building, facility, and site design in construction, physical accessibility, and barrier removal; (2) serving as the subject matter expert when evaluating plans and drawings for compliance with technical standards, including the ADA Standards for Accessible Design in order to evaluate existing, newly constructed, or altered buildings, facilities, and sites designed and constructed by architects, engineers, and other design professionals; (3) making accurate drawings of existing and planned structural conditions and design features; and (4) participating with leadership, staff, and expert design professionals regarding the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and technical materials related to accessibility.
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas. Please do not submit a separate written response.
- Ability to read and interpret building codes and standards.
- Ability to review drawings for compliance with technical standards including the ADA Standards for Accessible Design, to assist in evaluating existing, newly constructed, or altered buildings, facilities, and sites designed and constructed by architects, engineers, and other design professionals.
- Understands developments in building and site designs in construction, physical accessibility, and barrier removal.
- Utilizes knowledge of technical standards, including those under the ADA, Section 504, the Fair Housing Act, the Architectural Barriers Act, and other federal laws addressing physical accessibility and their interrelationships.
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