The incumbent serves as a specialist for one or more parks in the science and art of architecture with advanced training in the principles, theories, concepts, methods, and techniques of preserving historic and prehistoric structures with the focus to preserve a structure's physical attributes and materials. Research, planning, and stewardship are the framework for the duties of a historical architect.

Duties

Responsible for the identification, research, planning, treatment, and preservation maintenance of historic and prehistoric structures. Performs architectural duties associated with review, design, treatment, and monitoring of historic and prehistoric structures. The structures are diverse in design, materials, and composition and may exist in diverse climatic, geographic, and environmental conditions. Conducts investigations to determine the feasibility of proposed projects, including the development of design alternatives and subsequent analysis to ensure the project is consistent with NPS policies, guidelines, and standards and environmental and cultural compliance laws and regulations. Performs professional review and assessment of plans, comprehensive designs, studies, and layouts prepared by others for accuracy, adequacy, and compliance with historic preservation policies, guidelines, laws, and regulations. Works in a multi-disciplinary context to develop the appropriate guidelines and actions with architectural conservators, historical landscape architects, historians, archeologists, curators, architects, and other cultural and natural resources professionals, park managers, and park operational staff in the understanding of historic and prehistoric structures integrity and significance. Serves as project manager and Contracting Officer's Representative by: Preparing or overseeing preparation of scopes of work and contract documents that clearly define the objectives and requirements of the project for A/E or contractor services; participating in negotiations with contractors, including developing detailed cost estimates of major work items; ensuring contractual requirements, including technical adequacy, design excellence, and project schedules, are met; managing project funds and approving contractor payments. Carries out program management duties by developing work plans and schedules, scopes of work, cost estimates, and proposals and/or grants to justify funding requests and accomplish goals. Administers and tracks project funds and prepares accomplishment reports, as needed. Maintains awareness of applicable funding sources within NPS and outside.

Requirements

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-04/12/2024-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. Selective Placement Factor: Applicant must possess a state license to practice architecture. Basic Requirements for a GS-0808 Architect: 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. 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: 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. The courses required for a degree in architecture generally place emphasis upon planning, esthetics, and materials and methods of construction, while the courses for an architectural engineering degree place equal or greater weight on the technical engineering aspects such as structural systems, mechanical systems, and the properties of materials. Because of this difference in emphasis, persons with degrees in architecture may have a preference for work assignments that offer greater opportunities for them to express their artistic and creative abilities. As a result, they may be more concerned with planning and design aspects of architecture, and persons with degrees in architectural engineering may be more engaged in aspects emphasizing technical engineering considerations. 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. AND To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: possess one full year of specialized experience on historic preservation projects comparable in scope and responsibility to a GS-09 grade level in the Federal Service (obtained in either public or private sectors) that includes detailed investigations of historic structures research reports, and preparation of plans and specifications for preservation projects. 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. You must include hours worked per week in your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Possess at least one year of graduate study in architectural preservation, American architectural history, preservation planning or closely related field that includes detailed investigations of historic structures, preparation of historic structures research reports, and preparation of plans and specifications for preservation projects. A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field of study that is directly related to the work of the position, such as historic architecture and historic preservation, and which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to do the work of this position. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. 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.

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Contacts

• Address Valley Forge National Historical Park 1400 North Outer Line Drive King of Prussia, PA 19406 US
• Name: Billie Bowker
• Phone: 605-891-9120
• Email: [email protected]