The Interior Designer position is responsible for planning, implementation and operational management of a complete Interior Design program for a VA organization. This requires position to plan and coordinate the activities of other individuals, commercial vendors and to serve as liaison with same. Critical information needed to accomplish the above is provided by other individuals and requires significant manipulation prior to use.

Duties

Performs other related duties as assigned: 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. Duties include 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. Acts as a technical representative for design and finish specifications matters and manages the facility furniture program. Influences design of new construction from conception through activation by an in-depth knowledge of use requirements and availability of resources to fulfill these requirements; ensures that appropriately designed finish plans are formulated and comply with commercial building codes, safety and environmental guidelines and the VA master specification for all renovation and new construction projects. 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. Selects items based upon: patient, visitor, and staff needs; VA and facility standards, infection prevention and control requirements, healthcare environment needs, General Services Administration (GSA) contract sources; and available resources, while meeting VA socio-economic goals and acquisitions regulations in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation Develops project timelines to ensure orders are placed in accordance with Procurement Action Lead Times (PALT) deadlines to ensure timely delivery without impact to construction. 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. This includes verifying receipt of orders and coordinating installation. In addition to fixed annual budget and nonrecurring funds for projects, incumbent prepares interior design budgetary requirements for major and minor construction projects, for supplemental and future funding by VHA. The position is responsible for prioritizing needs at the medical center and preparing budgets and justifications to obtain funds needed by the program. Ensures that the new signage/directional graphics meet the requirements of The Joint Commission (TJC) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as applicable and effectively informs/directs patients, visitors, and staff. The Interior Designer develops an evaluation method to assess the effectiveness of the signage and wayfinding plan for Veterans, visitors and staff. The position represents the facility at various design-trade functions and maintains an effective rapport with design-industry vendors and/or representatives. Contact is maintained with designers at VA facilities to exchange pertinent professional information regarding existing and future projects; utilizes these contacts to keep abreast of the ever-changing concepts related to interior design responsibilities. 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. Work Schedule: 40 Hours a week, Full-time; Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, EST. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Interior Designer/PD90085A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Note: Position is in the Competitive Service. Veterans' Preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/26/2024. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR): 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, Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-9) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: 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. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one of the following; 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 OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond the next lower (GS-09) grade level. Preferred Experience: Bachelor Degree or certificate in Interior Design, Architecture. Computer-based software design proficiency, Space Planning and Furniture Design/Layout and floorplan development, Branding, Architectural and Finish Master Specifications, Textile Technology, Life Safety, Commercial and Healthcare Design experience. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: ArchitectureCommunicationsComplianceContract AdministrationFlexibilityProject ManagementTechnical Competence 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 Majority of work requires only moderate physical effort. At times the incumbent will be required to stand long periods of time, walk a lot, stoop, bend, climb, crawl, work in cramped and awkward positions. Incumbent must have good eyesight, depth and color perception. 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

• Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one of the following;
  • 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

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.

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

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/.

Contacts

• Address West Haven VA Medical Center 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516 US
• Name: Emily Wayne-Lane
• Phone: 781-687-2000 (6764)
• Email: [email protected]