Interior Designer

Summary This position serves as an Interior Designer for Space Utilization Planning and Design (SUPD), Facility Services Division, Integrated Service Support Directorate, Library of Congress (LOC). Incumbent works under the general supervision of the SUPD Project Supervisor receiving technical direction and specific policy guidance from SUPD staff. The incumbent executes assignments that often involve organizing and managing the activities of several different service providers. Responsibilities The work is largely evaluated in terms of work accomplished especially when uniquely different or sensitive projects are involved. Completed work is reviewed and evaluated in terms of overall effectiveness in achieving the goals of soundness of overall approach, conformance with controlling management policies, thoroughness, quality of results, and timeliness of completion. Consults and provides advice in a specialized area of planning to obtain cooperation and agreement on specific plans and projects. Such assignments may vary in size, scope, and complexity. These may relate to preparation of either recommendations, statements, plans, drawings and specifications, or some combination thereof, for interior design and construction projects, including those for special use facilities, equipment and/or furniture needed for office or Library operations. Influences decisions in assigned areas by analyzing user requirements and the availability of furnishings to satisfy these needs. Prepares preliminary space plans for proposed projects, including detailed specifications, to evaluate alternatives. Provides factual information on space layout and interior design plans, including initial layout and workflow of the office(s). Provides advisory services on well-established matters, such as space, furniture, finish and planning standards and the project execution process. Assists in the development of interior design standards for furniture and furnishings. Prepares cost estimates and recommendations for annual furniture and ergonomic furniture replacement as requested. Evaluates interior design program and helps evaluate/select product based on function, quality, appropriateness, cost, replacement requirements, and aesthetics. Provides advice and information on a wide-range of projects, including project status, progress, and/or problems to supervisor or upper-level management, as required. Conducts independent investigations and feasibility studies in response to renovation and construction of both unoccupied space and reconfiguration of existing space. Prepares detailed request for ordering interior materials/furnishings, such as furniture, window, floor and wall coverings, artwork and framing, lighting, bulletin boards, and a variety of other interior design furnishings and materials. Prepares necessary administrative paperwork, including specific requirements, scope of work, schedules, cost estimates, vendors list, and reference drawings. Manages or assists in managing programs responsible for the evaluation of technical proposals. Reviews written proposals and technical shop drawings; conducts site visits and performs acceptance of contract deliverables, reviews and approves invoices. Serves as the authorized contracting officer's technical representative, representing the contracting officer in the technical phase of the project. Working with contractors and laborers, supervises furniture and equipment installations. Holds conferences and interviews with clients, management and office personnel to define scope of work; analyzes work functions and requirements; gathers data relating to details of furniture, equipment, utilities and any other special needs. Develops block allocations of assigned space that incorporate functional adjacencies and prepares plans showing detailed layouts of furniture and partitions for entire project. After client approval, and following all established CAD standards and procedures, prepares scaled layouts and detailed drawings delineating furniture, partitions, carpet, utilities, security requirements and drawings for custom items as required, using CADD and graphics software. Confirms the availability of inventoried furniture to satisfy project’s needs. Create work orders associated with Demand Work Orders (DWOs) or facility plan projects in an automated work order system. Conducts inspection of work during construction and installation phase to insure compliance with design requirements. Provides data on a wide range of project status information including project status, progress and /or problems to their supervisor. Prepares necessary plans, work requests and contractor support documentation to facilitate a move. Performs other duties as assigned. The Interior Designer position reports directly to the Space Utilization Planning and Design (SUPD), Facility Services Division, Integrated Service Support Directorate, Library of Congress(LOC). This position is located in Washington, DC. The position description number for this position is 404326. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. Requirements Conditions of Employment Conditions of Employment Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment. Qualifications Ability to perform space planning and interior design functions. * Ability to utilize industry standard CAD software and other technology to support interior design work. * Ability to meet and deal with others. Ability to implement interior design projects. Knowledge of regulations, policies, codes, CAD standards, and procedures associated with interior design and project implementation for commercial and/or federal buildings. Ability to effectively plan, direct and manage a variety of projects given limited time and resources. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. 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 General Experience (for GS-5 positions): Experience that provided a basic knowledge and understanding of interior design and the design process. Experience may have been gained in work such as interior design assistant or technician, architectural drafting, space planning, furniture/furnishings design, or other positions that require the practical application of design principles in a structured design process. The work of crafts persons or hobbyists in the following fields is not qualifying: painting, fiber art, weaving, woodworking, carpet installing, etc. Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): 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. You must submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application. Foreign Education – Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application. Additional Information Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: Vetting Process This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM. The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement. Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement. The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit. A “Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints. Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.