Cost Estimator

Summary

This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Office of the Chief Engineer, Planning and Project Development Division, Technical Support Branch. The selectee will be responsible for performing a broad variety of duties with respect to the development of cost estimates for new construction, interior and exterior alterations, restorations, additions and repairs to existing structures coming under the jurisdiction of the AOC.

Duties

This is a developmental position in which the incumbent performs progressively more complex duties and responsibilities on a gradual basis leading to the full performance level of GS-12. The individual selected for this position will perform the following duties: Provides consultation to both AOC and contract architects and engineers on the cost implications of design alternatives and may be expected to review proposed project change orders and contract modification costs for conformance with original costs projections and the budgetary implications of executing the work. During construction phases of design projects, reviews modification prices for conformance with budget and original cost projections. Provides a range of cost management technical services and reviews, including preparation of cost estimates for construction projects, cost planning and detailed cost estimating through planning and execution phases, preparation of Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCE) to facilitate contract action, proposal price analysis and data management to support institutional historical database requirements. Examines project and program requirements and prepares detailed budget estimates for proposed restoration, alteration, rehabilitation, historic preservation, renovation and new construction. Prepares professional services design fee estimates within the AOC's written guidelines, including studies, full construction document designs, program of requirements and other professional fees. Reviews and assesses contract deliverable cost engineering products including cost estimates and risk assessments produced by independent third party contract Architect and Engineering (A/E) cost engineers and AOC's staff generated estimates. Collaborates, as necessary with Project Managers and Jurisdictional Executives, assisting in the development of scopes-of-work and estimates, ensuring that sources of proposed materials are available, methods of installation are practical and costs are within budget allotments. Works with a scheduler in developing resource-loaded schedules, critical path schedules and analysis techniques, project progress and cost assurance processes, progress measurement and Earned Value management techniques and methodologies used to track cost and schedule performance. Working with the Senior Cost Estimator, maintains and updates the agency master cost estimating database. Prepares cost and methods reports for feasibility studies utilized by architectural and engineering design and management staff. Consults with the Senior Cost Estimator and the supervisor to support the administration of a complex budget involving a variety of program and administrative expenses relating to construction costs. Assists in preparing the capital expenditure aspects of capital improvement budget requests for agency appropriations presented to Congress. Requirements

To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below: A citizen of the United States; A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B); A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States. Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at OPM qualification standards Specialized experience: is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. For the GS-11: You must meet the following education and/or specialized experience requirements to be qualified for this position: Candidates for the GS-11 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-09) grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates the following: Assisting in the development of cost estimates for construction projects. Reviewing cost estimates for accuracy and compliance with applicable standards. Working with engineers, architects, and contractors to ensure cost estimates are in compliance with budget and cost projections. --OR-- Undergraduate and Graduate Education in architecture, engineering, building construction, or other fields related to the position. --OR-- Combination of specialized experience and education. For the GS-12: Candidates for the GS-12 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-11) grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates the following: Developing cost estimates for new construction and/or interior and exterior alterations, restorations, historic preservation, additions and repairs to existing structures. Reviewing and revising cost estimates for accuracy and compliance with applicable standards. Performing cost estimates using SUCCESS Estimator, Cost-OS or equivalent cost estimating software. Working with engineers, architects, and contractors to ensure cost estimates are in compliance with project budget and cost projections.

Education

GS-11: Education may be substituted for specialized experience as indicated above. If using education to qualify, candidates must provide transcripts if selected. GS-12: No education substitution. How You Will Be Evaluated

Review your resume and responses carefully. Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your responses to job specific self-assessment questions. Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for this position, possession of any specialized experience, and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement. The self-assessment questions relate to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies: Knowledge of cost estimating methods and techniques Oral Communication Written Communication Your responses to the self-assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating. You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions. Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume and optional cover letter. Your resume must support your answers to the self-assessment questions. Falsifying your background, education and/or experience is cause for non-selection or disqualification from further consideration. Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the “Required Documents” section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application). You may preview questions for this vacancy. Benefits

A variety of health insurance plans; retirement system with investment options; paid holidays; paid sick and annual (vacation) leave; life insurance; incentive systems; subsidized transportation; training and development opportunities, etc. The Architect of the Capitol offers eligible employees opportunity to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program. Other Information

Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit OPM vet guide If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information. DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC's suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test. The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol. The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Moving expenses are not authorized. Relocation expenses are not authorized. Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol. All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol. Note: Please be advised that federal retired annuitant candidates may only be considered as a temporary employee if the role can be filled in that capacity.