Landscape Architect, GS-13

Job Description

The Landscape Architect coordinates planning activities with other agencies within the Washington, DC area and works collaboratively with the Gardening and Maintenance division managers and AOC Office of Chief Engineer (OCE), Office of the Chief Security Office (OCSO), United States Capitol Police (USCP) and the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms (SAA) to plan and implement landscape improvements throughout the campus.

About Us

This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), US Capitol Grounds and Arboretum (CGA). The Landscape Architect reports to the CGA Deputy Director and performs duties that are broad in scope, providing programming services for new construction, CAD and GIS files and deliverables creation, editing and management, preservation and restoration projects, long range land use planning, and serves as a technical expert for the AOC Cultural Landscape Reports (CLRs).

THIS VACANCY IS OPEN FROM 4/25/2025 TO 5/25/2025

PLEASE VISIT USAJOBS.GOV FOR FULL VACANCY AND TO APPLY

Duties & Responsibilities

Contract and Project Management
• Directs project management activities and serves as a Project Manager for preparation and development of landscape improvements. These may include street and sidewalk paving, parking lot and large-scale landscape renovations. Develops significant elements or phases of projects related to major agency functions, programs, or projects. Overcomes and resolves difficult and complex technical, project management, and organizational problems using innovative and original approaches. Plans, guides, coordinates, and manages the work of subordinate, secondary, and matrixed resources engaged in accomplishing the missions and functions of the organization. Communicates with the rest of CGA, other AOC jurisdictions, and external stakeholders, the status and timelines of projects.
• Performs periodic review and analysis to assess achievement of major goals. Provides architectural or engineering analysis for special projects, future projects, and advance planning of new systems and capabilities of all applicable agency programs and areas of concern and responsibility. Participates in preliminary and critical integrated design reviews and determines, develops and defends requirements.
• Initiates contact and provides expert technical advice and direction to contractor professionals. Serves as a technical contact and/or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).
Analysis, Planning and Programming
• Assesses conditions, current needs and future requirements for all CGA roads, grounds, infrastructure and historic assets. Researches and analyzes long-range needs and critical problems and develops plans for responsive programming to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of landscape assets.
• Provides Computer-Aided Development and Design (CADD) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) services for CGA (vegetation location and beds, irrigation and other infrastructure, Memorial Trees) including creating new plans, editing existing plans, and converting data from CAD to GIS and vice versa. Utilizes e-builder for project management and coordination, and TreeKeeper for support with tree records according to ArbNet Level III accreditation standards.
• Responsible for independently administering multiple jurisdiction projects and programs, including some of major size, scope and complexity in accordance with AOC best practices, which may include definition and preparation of project scope, initial cost estimates and estimated project duration. Performs contract administration activities for significant, highly specialized procurements.
• Provides an oversight of budget and financial plans, schedules and presentations.
• Reviews and develops project submissions and coordinates project justifications, costs estimates and proposed project designs to ensure consistency with the Master Plan, Facility Condition Assessments (FCAs) and CLRs.
• Works with the Historic Preservation Office to make decisions on landscape projects.
Advice and Guidance
• Prepares planning requirements and criteria for complex, high value projects for design and construction or other modifications of facilities and grounds. Collaborates with the Gardening Division on landscape design proposals, including appropriate plant selection.

• Develops position papers and briefings to the Architect of the Capitol and members of Congress. Advises the agency on state-of-the-art policies and procedures for grounds management programming, design, construction and historic preservation.
Responsible for thoroughly understanding and ensuring compliance with applicable AOC and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety rules and regulations. Efforts ensure that work progresses in a safe manner and takes corrective actions to mitigate unsafe conditions. Ensures that Job Hazard Analysis’ are developed and followed and that required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is utilized.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
*SITES AP certification for sustainable design, construction, and maintenance of landscapes is preferred.*

Education and Experience

Education
In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirements for this position, applicants must possess the following:
1. Degree: landscape architecture or landscape design.
Note: Successful completion of a 5-year program of study of at least 160 semester hours leading to a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture in an accredited college or university is qualifying for GS-7.
OR
2. Combination of education and experience – for each year short of graduation, the applicant must have had 1 year of experience under professional leadership and guidance of such character and diversity as to be a satisfactory substitute for the required education. This experience must have included original landscape design.
**For a detailed explanation, please visit, https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/landscape-architecture-series-0807/

How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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:
Landscape Architecture – Knowledge of the concepts, theories, and practices used in the planning, designing, construction, and adaptation of outdoor features, taking into consideration recreation planning, requirements, aesthetic value, and compatibility with other developments and resources.
Project Management – Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance.
Contract Management – Knowledge of various types of contracts, techniques, or requirements (for example, Federal Acquisitions Regulations) for contracting or procurement, and contract negotiation and administration.

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).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Additional Information

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 http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.
Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, an applicant’s one full year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.
To qualify at the GS-13 level, your resume must clearly demonstrate that you have one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-12 level in the federal service. Examples of qualifying experience include the following types of tasks performed on a regular and recurring basis:
• Performing design and development, technical reviews, quality control and project management from planning and design;
• Providing guidance and recommendations on landscaping projects, contractors, and resources, including costs, designing, contracts and development management;
• Providing guidance and recommendations on selection of herbaceous materials, woody plants, and other elements suitable for the Mid-Atlantic region for landscaping projects;
• Evaluating studies, plans, design specifications and progress reports for architectural, engineering and construction processes and projects;
• Using architectural or engineering standards and codes and Architectural and Historic Preservation criteria for projects and
• Serving as a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) or equivalent;
**Computer Aided Design (CAD) AND Geographic Information Systems (GIS) experience is required**
Education
In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirements for this position, applicants must possess the following:
1. Degree: landscape architecture or landscape design.
Note: Successful completion of a 5-year program of study of at least 160 semester hours leading to a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture in an accredited college or university is qualifying for GS-7.
OR
2. Combination of education and experience – for each year short of graduation, the applicant must have had 1 year of experience under professional leadership and guidance of such character and diversity as to be a satisfactory substitute for the required education. This experience must have included original landscape design.
**For a detailed explanation, please visit, https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/landscape-architecture-series-0807/

Application Instructions

How to Apply
You MUST apply online. FORMS RECEIVED BY FAX, EMAIL OR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

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