The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) directs the worldwide overseas building program for the U.S. Department of State. Working with other offices and bureaus, foreign affairs agencies, and Congress, OBO sets worldwide priorities for the design, construction, acquisition, maintenance, use, and sale of real properties and the use of sales proceeds. As the single real property manager for the U.S. government's diplomatic facilities overseas, OBO's portfolio spans 285 worldwide missions and over 80,000,000 square feet of functioning property. OBO's primary mission is to provide safe, secure, and functional facilities that represent the U.S. government to the host nation and support the Department's staff as they work to achieve U.S. foreign policy objectives abroad.
The Program Development, Coordination, and Support Directorate (PDCS) is responsible for the design, coordination, and management of OBO's construction and renovation programs.
The Office of Design and Engineering (DE) provides expertise in architecture; landscape architecture; space programming; space planning; interior design; graphic design; sustainability; civil structure, seismic, blast, geotechnical, electrical, and mechanical engineering; energy; telecommunications; and security. Working with Planning and Real Estate, DE develops and updates the Space Requirements Programs (SRP). DE directs design coordination of OBO's building program, managing designs from planning through construction. DE monitors the performance of the architecture-engineering contractors hired to execute OBO's projects. The office serves as the building code official, confirms the technical adequacy of construction documents, and issues building permits. The Energy group (NRG) provides multidisciplinary expertise for high performance buildings, planning, design, engineering, construction, utility management, and maintenance of OBO projects.
This position will support the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, Program Development, Coordination and Support Directorate, Office of Design and Engineering, Architectural Design Division (OBO/PDCS/DE/AD).
Job Duties:
- Serves as a team member in the evaluation of new embassy sites; works in partnership with appointed real estate specialists in reviewing sites for conformance to facility requirements; makes technical recommendations based on examination of surveys, plans, and specifications; determines suitability for use, structural soundness, environmental value, and aesthetic appropriateness; prepares studies indicating how properties may be utilized or improved, and employs creative site design techniques to create more site acquisition opportunities on sites of limited size.
- Acts as a technical coordinator of projects between the Department and the posts; reviews preliminary designs for program conformity, technical sufficiency, and general suitability; participates in guidance of design to acceptable solution of problem areas and recommends approval or modification necessary to obtain desired results; participates in value engineering studies’ and recommends adjustments, as necessary.
- Coordinates with other offices regarding architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and telecommunications requirements of projects and with interior design and furnishing groups regarding space planning, finish and color schedules, furniture, etc.; reconciles design issues among the design disciplines; reviews working drawings for conformity with good construction practices, use of materials, ease of maintenance, economy, and quality of appointments; oversees review of plans and specifications for fire protection, physical safety, and adherence with applicable building codes; and participates in Integrated Design Reviews.
- Participates in the preparation of preliminary and final design of projects for which no contract architects are commissioned; prepares sketches illustrating possibilities for development of the work performed; and travels as required to inspect and consult when on-site knowledge of conditions is necessary.
- Coordinates problems submitted from the construction field and provides recommendations to field supervisors (Project Directors), as necessary, on intent of drawings and specifications, substitutions, etc.; maintains active documentation on projects; and participates in post-occupancy evaluation as a member of an interdisciplinary review team.
- Summarizes meetings and documents the record; participates in periodic meetings of presentations for the purpose of reviewing architectural and engineering contract work at key design stages; coordinates the attendance of any engineering or technical experts required, and the documentation of the meeting by appropriate OBO architects; and ensures that OBO management and other members or principals receive essential materials prior to meetings.
- Remains abreast of the latest developments in architecture and interior design related disciplines by review of literature and by attending professional seminars, "state of the art" symposiums and other training programs to ensure that the latest interior design technologies are incorporated in the project definition, documentation and execution. These include, but are not limited to, research in the containment of contaminants, security, sustainable design, ergonomic technologies, ADA requirements, integrated building systems, fire and life safety codes, environmental studies, production/documentation techniques, electronic project management, CADD and imaging technology and furniture industry products and standards; technical conferences, professional society meetings, and discussions with industry representatives and other professionals; and evaluates new materials and designs with construction processes and techniques, discusses with project managers, and recommends solutions that meet the needs and requirements of the facility and the client.
Requirements
- Must be a United States citizen.
- Experience and capabilities to function as design managers for technical teams.
- Mastery in the established concepts, principles, and architectural methods applicable to varied and complex design problems, projects, or studies, sufficient to enable the incumbent to perform recurring assignments of moderate difficulty {i.e., where methods and techniques are well established, apply to most situations encountered, and do not require significant deviation from established methods) or to perform discrete portions of more complex problems.
- Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of professional architecture, combined with design development techniques and related construction techniques and criteria, in order to identify, analyze, design, and provide advice on unusual or complex issues; modify existing techniques and/or develop new methods and approaches to solve complex architectural problems; and provide expert advice on a wide range of Bureau projects.
- Working knowledge of the principles and practices of related engineering fields such as civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical, sufficient to effectively consult, interface, and partner with fellow professionals engaged in related aspects of assigned projects.
- Knowledge of Federal, Departmental, and Bureau contracting processes, procedures, and guidelines to assist in the contractor selection process and contract work at posts.
- Ability to develop design, architectural, interior design, and related engineering criteria or instructions for specific facilities and ensure that new developments, methods, techniques, or experimental theories for improving designs, standardizing common facilities, and producing quality designs are examined to enable the Bureau to solve problems not readily treatable by standard, acceptable methods and carry out the Department’s mission.
- Knowledge and understanding of the mission, functions, and objectives of the Division, Office, Bureau, and Department and their interrelationships with one another to coordinate work efforts, ensure that work is performed successfully and in a cost-effective manner, and that work efforts are not duplicated.
- Highly developed oral and written communications skills in order to confer with and advise employees, contractors, and officials throughout the Department on assigned projects; participate in and conduct lectures and briefings; articulate and defend recommendations and decisions; produce coherent reports, policy recommendations, guidelines, and instructions; offer expert technical advice on architectural systems and standards; and recommend solutions to complex, highly technical architectural problems.
- Ability to interpret plans and specifications for a variety of large and complex building projects, and to investigate extensive changes in design specifications, construction and materials proposed by contractors or others to accommodate conditions at construction sites and to expedite construction.
- Ability to understand engineering principles and practices in foreign countries, to ensure that OBO projects are designed and built to OBO standards without conflict with the host country, including knowledge of local building specifications and building codes.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing on highly complex, controversial and time-sensitive matters to diverse audiences.