Department of Homeland Security

Architect

Cape May, New Jersey Full time

Architect

Department: Department of Homeland Security

Location(s): Cape May, New Jersey

Salary Range: $98630 - $128221 Per Year

Job Summary: This vacancy is for a GS-0808-12, Architect located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, TRACEN CAPE MAY DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION in CAPE MAY, New Jersey.

Major Duties:

  • You will serve as an Architect and be responsible for managing independent technical reviews, project appraisal and planning, field investigation, cost estimating, scheduling, and design production and construction of Engineering/ Architectural services for the building, grounds, and facilities at USCG Training Center, Cape May, NJ. Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Your major duties and responsibilities include: Performing, designing, and developing the construction drawings and specifications for engineering and/or architectural system. Evaluating projects to determine the most appropriate, energy efficient and economical systems to serve the facility. Preparing detailed cost estimates for use in obtaining project funding and bid evaluations. Serving as an Architect for independent technical review, project scoping, field investigation, planning, cost estimating, problem and conflict resolution, scheduling, design production and construction. Reviewing project plans and specifications, as prepared by other project architects/engineers or contracted Architectural/Engineering (A/E) firms prior to contract advertisement, to determine practicability from construction standpoints. Providing project management and technical support for construction execution and procurement execution. Works closely with end-users, planning, project management, jurisdiction, and construction personnel to develop scopes of work (SOW) for large, complex, high-profile design and construction projects for execution. Determining efficient, effective, and feasible solutions to meet the project or situation requirements and constraints. Preparing original designs and preliminary and final layout of projects, including size, capacity, and economy Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Reasonable Accommodation Information

Qualifications: QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS: To qualify for this position, you MUST meet all of the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: 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. (Transcripts must be submitted with your application.) OR 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 (Transcripts must be submitted with your application.): 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. 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. 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. In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must demonstrate minimum qualifying specialized experience.MINIMUM QUALIFYING SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, an applicant's one full year of specialized experience must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for successful job performance. GS-12: In order to qualify for this position at the GS-12 level, your resume must clearly demonstrate that you have one full year of the minimum qualifying specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-11 level in the federal service. Examples of the minimum qualifying specialized experience equal to the GS-11 level include performing the following types of tasks on a regular and recurring basis: Designing and developing the construction drawings and specifications for engineering and/or architectural systems using industry standard software (e.g. AutoCAD, Revit, ArcGIS, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite). Managing or leading significant phases construction projects or complex architectural projects such as multi-story office buildings, industrial facilities, or other large structures, including new construction, repair, renovation, or restoration; Applying architectural and related engineering concepts (e.g., structural, civil, or mechanical systems) to solve a variety of design and construction problems, adapt standards, or develop innovative solutions; and Evaluating architectural planning projects for technical validity, feasibility, and preparing clear analytical or design reports Applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate the required minimum qualifying specialized experience will be evaluated based on the occupational assessment competencies listed below. A COMPETENCY is defined as a measurable pattern of knowledge, skills, abilities, behaviors, and other characteristics that an individual needs to perform work roles or occupational functions. Architecture - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and practices used in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of buildings or other structures, taking into consideration aesthetic and functional concerns. Civil Engineering- Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods required to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain facilities such as buildings, transportation systems, water and sanitary systems, and other public works systems. Enterprise Architecture- Knowledge of principles, concepts, and methods of enterprise architecture to align information technology (IT) strategy, plans, and systems with the mission, goals, structure, and processes of the organization General Engineering- Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of engineering and their practical applications NOTE: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer 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.

How to Apply: Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Font size should not be smaller than 10pts & margins no smaller than .5 inches. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a resume, any applicable assessments, and any applicable and/or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. We encourage you to apply online. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM EST on 05/10/2026. USA Hire Assessment - If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hrs to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, we will not be able to consider it as part of your application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. If claiming eligibility under the VOW Act: The VOW Act requires Federal agencies to treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligibles, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD214. In order to be considered under the VOW Act, the certification must specify that the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package for this job announcement. The certification must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, character of service, military rank, type of discharge, and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by, or by direction of military members' military personnel offices, unit commanders or higher headquarters. Agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-10