Overview

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, Interior Design Division (OBO/PDCS/DE/ID).

Responsibilities

• Serves as the skilled designer in the evaluation and selection of leased properties, working in partnership with appointed real estate specialists, in reviewing facilities for conformance to facility requirements; makes technical recommendations to a senior designer or management regarding the lease or improvements based on examination of surveys, plans and specifications; prepares studies indicating how properties may be utilized or improved. 
• Assists in evaluation of architect/engineer and interior design contracts; reviews preliminary designs for program conformity, technical sufficiency, and general suitability; attends formal and informal meetings for design review and approval; provides design guidance to obtain desired results; participates in value engineering studies and examines and evaluates the commissioned architect/engineer’s recommendations. 
• Assists with reconciliation of design issues with internal and external stakeholders; coordinates with engineering disciplines regarding structural, mechanical, security, fire protection, and electrical requirements of projects; oversees review of plans and specifications for fire protection, physical safety, and conformity with the International Building Code; participates in Integrated Design Reviews; evaluates performance of commissioned architects/engineers regarding adherence to contract terms, work progress, and payment for services; 
• Supports and advises with the preparation of preliminary and final design for projects on which no contract architects or interior designers are commissioned; reviews sketches illustrating possibilities for development of work performed by the Division; travels domestically and abroad to inspect and consult when on-site knowledge of conditions. 
• Assists in the resolution of issues submitted from the field, advises field supervisors as necessary on intent of drawings and specifications substitutions, quality of work, maintains a comprehensive digital record of all project activities, participates in post- occupancy evaluations as a member of an interdisciplinary team, 

Qualifications

• Must be a United States citizen. 

• Knowledge of the full range of concepts, principles, and practices of interior design in relation to the planning, design, specification, renovation, and construction of facilities interiors, to enhance the quality of the interior environment; to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the occupants and to arrange and procure associated furnishings; and to evaluate and incorporate the most recent developments and technologies in the field of interior design into current projects and technical requirements. 
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of related engineering disciplines, including civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical sufficient to enable the contractor to interface effectively with other professionals in the course of design and construction projects, and to recognize the relationships between architecture, interior design, and engineering in dealing with technical issues and problems arising during the course of such projects. 
• Working knowledge of the commercial furniture industry and the issues associated with furniture and engineering systems coordination. 
• Ability to interpret plans and specifications for a variety of large and complex building projects. 
• Knowledge of Federal, Departmental, and Bureau contracting processes, procedures, and guidelines applicable to A/E contracting. 

• Ability to develop architectural, interior design, and related A/E 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. 
• Experience using AutoCAD, REVIT, BIM, Adobe Creative Suite. 
• 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. 
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and five (5) years of related experience.