The Construction Analyst position serves as a Specially Adapted Housing Agent/Review Appraiser within the National Construction and Valuation Value Stream within the Cleveland Regional Benefits Office located in Cleveland, OH. While the positions are out-based in Traverse City, MI or Newark, NJ. The incumbent will perform an array of duties with the purpose of conducting construction, remodeling, and home adaptation projects, from proposal through completion.

Duties

Review plans, specification, and cost estimates associated with construction projects. Responsible for the oversight and resolution of appeals, reconsideration requests, construction complaints and Veteran complaints submitted to the Regional Loan Center. Counsel program participants and Veterans of construction projects. Develop and administer training on program requirements for VA staff and external stakeholders. Produce well written correspondence which may include technical material that is appropriate to the intended audience. Review plans, specifications and project sites to determine compliance with industry standards and VA requirements. Interpret and apply regulations, laws and procedures specific to issues related to the VA guaranty home loan program, Veteran Readiness and Employment, and the Native American Direct loan program. Serve as the primary point of contact for the Veterans, contractors, local agencies, Congressional interests and agency leadership related to various construction projects and program requirements. Maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external customers. Explain and defend a decision to individuals who may be upset or unreceptive. Conduct on-site inspection of the properties to determine the severity and resolution of the issue or to verify compliance of VA requirements. Conduct calculations using basic math skills and compile data. Control and manage project milestones of construction project completion. Leads design review discussions, in person, by phone, or electronically to inform the Veteran, contractor, architects, draftsperson, et al, on VA minimum property requirements for residential property use. If selected at less than the full performance level, duties will be developmental in nature.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• Selectees are subject to a background/suitability investigation.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• A probationary period may be required for employees and supervisors.
• May be required to travel overnight and to off-site locations.
• A valid driver's license and ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by 11:59 pm of the closing date of this announcement 10/09/2023 NOTE: The Office associated individual occupational requirements (IOR), and individual qualification standards covering white collar occupations in the Federal competitive service can be found: Here This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) which all applicants must meet both the requirements as stated for the IOR, and the required specialized experience as stated below for the appropriate grade levels of GS-11 and 12. IOR Requirements: "Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- architecture, engineering, building construction, or other fields related to the position. OR Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Experience in the preparation or review of plans, specifications, or estimates of materials and costs for the construction, extension, alteration, or repair of buildings. Applicants should have knowledge of the residential construction field, and experience in the development of plans and specifications, and in negotiation work. This experience may have been obtained working as a contractor or as a draftsperson in an architectural engineering firm. However, any drafting experience must have provided an opportunity to acquire technical knowledge. Appropriate experience includes working with diverse construction materials (brick, lumber, reinforced concrete, steel) and types of structures (housing, single-family dwellings and multi-family apartment units, and industrial and commercial structures). Applicants should be familiar with matters such as planning a subdivision, laying out traffic flow in a multi-family apartment structure, or working out specification problems in plans." Minimum Requirements: To qualify at grade level GS-11 Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-09) in federal or other services, in the normal line of progression for the occupation within the organization. Specialized experience is defined as: (1) Supporting clients considered to be in high risk/need groups, supporting grant programs, utilizing available information to analyze and address unique needs of program beneficiaries, as it relates to the construction plan/project; AND (2) Performing professional work directly related to residential construction, remodeling, and/or adaptations for individuals with unique physical or other needs. OR Applicants may substitute education in place of the experience required to qualify at the Grade level GS-11l: With3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or with the completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. This graduate education (or completed degree) must have a Major area of study in architecture, engineering, building construction, or other fields related to the position. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required graduate education you have earned. Note: When substituting, you cannot use the first two year of Graduate studies (The first 36 Semester hours) that you earned. Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-11. For example, an applicant who has 45 semester hours or 9 semester hours of graduate level education beyond the first two years (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience for GS-11) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position (assuming that there is no evidence that the attended college or university requires more than 18 semester hours as an equivalent to a year of graduate study). Note: This graduate education Major area of study must be in architecture, engineering, building construction, or other fields related to the position. GS-12 Minimum Requirements: To qualify at grade level GS-12 Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in federal or other services, in the normal line of progression for the occupation within the organization. Specialized experience is defined as: (1) Preparing construction and disbursement schedules; (2) Reviewing applications to determine financial and medical feasibility: (3) Conducting interviews regarding grant programs with eligible participants, and or their representatives; (4) Conducting field reviews to determine suitability of proposed residential construction projects; AND (5) performing work directly related to residential construction, remodeling, and/or adaptations for individuals with unique physical or other needs. There is no educational substitution for GS-12 grade level. Note: 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 you document, to include volunteer experience.

Education

There is no option to substitute education for specialized experience at the GS-12 level.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: Here

Applications submitted without the required supporting documents will not be accepted. An unofficial transcript; statement from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official; or equivalent documentation is acceptable at the time of application. Education submitted must be appropriately accredited by an accredited body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. For additional information, refer to the U.S. Department of Education web site at http://www.ed.gov/

Contacts

• Address Cleveland Regional Benefit Office Federal Building, 1240 East 9th St Cleveland, OH 44199 US
• Name: HRC-Detroit DEU
• Phone: 313-596-7213
• Email: [email protected]