Interior Designer

Summary As an Interior Designer, incumbent is assigned the multiple, complex, and frequently urgent design projects undertaken by the Project Engineering Team in Engineering Service. Incumbent has full responsibility for developing and continuing an interior design program for all areas of El Paso VA Health Care System (EPVHCS). The incumbent works as a technical expert with technical independence under the general supervision of the Supervisory General Engineer of the Project Engineering Team. Responsibilities Major duties include: 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. Performing and managing work related to the design of interior environments to promote employee productivity, health, and welfare, and/or the health and welfare of the public. 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. Plans, specifics, writes procurements 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. 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. Represents the facility at various design-trade functions and maintains an effective rapport with design-industry vendors and/or representatives. 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. Works with the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) on assigned projects (Majors, Minors, NRM, CSI and Leased). Responds to requests, complaints, etc. related to interior design and furniture moves. Participates in planning and coordinating moves with move team, utility shutdowns, phases, and other requirements for construction projects. Is active in executing activations of construction projects of all sizes and scopes with a variety of projects ranging from administrative areas to more complex clinical spaces. Advises and implements plan on adequacy and adaptability of a cohesive space including furniture layout, general size, fit and code compliance. Works with direct supervisor to communicate with upper management to discuss services to be provided, process to be followed and the benefits of properly designed space. Coordinates facility paint, flooring, and ceiling/lighting schedule with appropriate construction crews. Specifies color and finish selections to ensure that maintenance, condition of existing areas, end user needs, and compliance with the overall design objective are met. Is an active participant of all committees that significantly impact the Interior Design program. Provides oversight for the work performed by contractors, and vendors, by planning, scheduling, and coordinating the work, determining material, equipment needed to accomplish the work, correlating, reviewing, and evaluating the work. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:45pm. Shift may change on a weekly basis. May work nights and weekends. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Interior Designer/PD003260 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job 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, 01/13/2025. 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-09. 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. This position has an Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR). All applicants must meet one of the below: Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- interior design or other field that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in interior design, interior architecture, or interior environmental design; or passage of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination. OR Experience: Specialized Experience: Experience that required the performance of work concerned with the design and alteration of interior spaces to meet functional and aesthetic needs such as: Identifying, researching, and creatively solving problems pertaining to the function and quality of the interior environment. Performing services relative to interior spaces, including programming, design analysis, space planning and aesthetics, using specialized knowledge of interior construction, building systems and components, building codes, equipment, materials, and furnishings. Preparing drawings and documents relative to the design of interior spaces in order to enhance and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Coordinating and integrating the mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering disciplines within the interior context. Managing projects, developing cost estimates, evaluating bid proposals, reviewing construction documents, participating in on-site construction visits, conducting pre- and post-occupancy evaluations, developing standards for efficient space management, etc. In addition to the above IOR, 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-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of interior design and space planning; Knowledge of the fundamentals of Commercial/Institutional/Barrier Free Design is required; Knowledge of a variety of methods, techniques, and materials used in architectural and interior design needs for the facility, including construction knowledge; prepares all necessary scaled architectural floor plans, space layouts, reflected ceiling plans, finish plans, working drawings, specifications, detailed drawings for custom work and furniture fabrication; deal effectively with architects/engineers (AE) firms, staff engineers, facility planners, architects, construction contractors, vendors, and healthcare system personnel; evaluates materials and furnishings appropriate to the end use; Develops drawings needed to finalize plans and specifications and proceeds with recommendations for the selection, procurement, and placement of furnishings; prepares floor plans and configures furniture layouts using the latest AutoCAD software, 3D modeling software such as BM, Revit, and/or Google Sketchup; Oral and written communication skills; communicates via architectural drawings, sketches, and renderings, color boards, and PowerPoint presentations in clear, concise, and accurate interpretation of proposals to medical center staff. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a 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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have any combination of specialized experience and education beyond a Master's degree. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communication Customer Service Design Mental Visualization Creativity and Innovation 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: The incumbent will be conducting inspections and surveys of construction sites with a need for physical agility to access unfinished buildings and wear personal protective equipment (PPE). The incumbent must have ability to work within an environment of conflicting deadlines and shifting priorities. The incumbent may be required to work evenings or weekends, as well as preform infrequent overnight travel to meetings and conferences 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 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: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. 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 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.