Interior Designer

Summary The Interior Designer is responsible for planning, implementation and operational management, planning and coordinate the activities of other individuals, commercial vendors and to serve as liaison with same. This information relates to unique and non-recurring situations requiring independent judgment and interpretation/application of VA, OSHA, TJC, NFPA and local policies. Responsibilities Major Duties: Plans and implements a comprehensive Interior Design Program which includes providing complete, from concept to installation, interior design services for the organization to include satellite facilities. Provides technical expertise to coworkers and contractors and routinely coordinates with engineers, architects, and other designers to ensure compliance with VA regulations and facility design criteria. Acts as a technical representative for design and finish specifications matters and manages the facility furniture program. Plans, specifics, writes procurement packages, supervises installation and acts as the contracting officer's representative for all furniture procurements within the facility. Works with direct supervisor to coordinate and maintains a schedule of short and long range interior­ improvement projects for the facility through the 5-year interior design plan and other programs to identify existing and future project needs. This includes working within the operating budget, preparation of floor plans and space layouts, finish schedules, presentation boards and submittals, and accurate cost­ estimates. Acts as Contracting Officer's Representative for all furnishings, window treatments, patient cubicle curtains, wall coverings, floor coverings, wall art, lighting, ceiling treatments, casework, and all other interior design-related accoutrements from origination to installation. Works with direct supervisor to determine priorities and utilize an annual interior design budget in recurring funds and budgeting projects that may involve millions of dollars in non-recurring funds. This includes verifying receipt of orders and coordinating installation. In addition to fixed annual budget and non-recurring funds for projects, incumbent prepares interior design budgetary requirements for major and minor construction projects, for supplemental and future funding by VHA. Develops the interior/exterior signage and wayfinding plan for the facility to comply with "VA Signage Guide" on the Technical Information Library (TIL). Coordinates the installation of new signage and ensures the efficacy of signage/directional graphics in areas where new and existing intersect. Ensures that the new signage/directional graphics meet the requirements of The Joint Commission (TJC) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as applicable and effectively informs/directs patients, visitors, and staff. The Interior Designer develops an evaluation method to assess the effectiveness of the signage and wayfinding plan for Veterans, visitors and staff. Represents the facility at various design-trade functions and maintains an effective rapport with design-industry vendors and/or representatives. Contact is maintained with designers at VA facilities to exchange pertinent professional information regarding existing and future projects; utilizes these contacts to keep abreast of the ever-changing concepts related to interior design responsibilities. Manages an interior design file system that includes drawings, specifications, budgets, project information, government contracts, requests for interior design services, and regulations pertaining to interior design; manages a resource library of catalogs for furniture, materials, finishes, and all other design-related items, that are appropriate by ensuring they contribute to infection prevention, long term maintenance and sustainability goals for a healthcare environment. The position works with the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) on assigned projects (Majors, Minors, NRM, CSI and Leased). The incumbent advises the COR on the actual accomplishment of Interior design related work including approval of materials, interpreting of contract specifications, preparations and negotiation of changes to accommodate conditions, and complete on site field inspections. The incumbent keeps their direct supervisor informed as to the status of the project development, design and accomplishment and review coordination and scheduling of construction work when it affects other hospital operating department or major utility systems affecting the entire facility. Responds to requests, complaints, etc. related to interior design and furniture moves. Planning and coordinating moves with move team, utility shutdowns, phases, and other requirements for construction projects. Advises and implements plan on adequacy and adaptability of a cohesive space including furniture layout, general size, fit and code compliance. Coordinates facility paint, flooring and ceiling/lighting schedule with appropriate construction crews. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Telework: N/A Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Interior Designer/PD51532A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/05/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: . 1 year equivalent to at least GS-9 OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related . Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Contract Formation Customer Service Design Human Factors Project Management 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Work can vary from seated at a desk in front of a computer to extensive walking throughout the facility/grounds (interior and exterior) and visitation to construction sites and several off-site facilities. Work may require some lifting (<50Ibs.), light furniture moving/rearranging, carrying heavy and bulky catalogs/artwork/samples etc. and travel/driving as needed to showrooms, furniture dealers and satellite facilities. Dexterity is required related to duties performed in drafting, sketching and writing. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related . There is no educational substitution at this grade level. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This occupation is being considered for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive (CSI). Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI. The amount of lump sum CSI is determined based on appointment date and may be pro-rated as determined by the end date of the CSI. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI. This occupation is currently approved for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive through [insert date]. Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI for a pro-rated amount if onboard prior to the CSI expiration date. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI. Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting applicant criminal history record information before extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S.C § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance to VA at vacofairchanceact@va.gov. Applicant written complaints should include the following: Administration name: Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office name, employee name and contact information or contractor who made contact (if known). Date of contact. Details regarding the job opportunity announcement applied to, and copies of any documents or other evidence related to the complaint. Visit Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) for more information.