ARCHITECT

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Architect reviews plans and specifications on a variety of large and complex building projects to determine compliance with

OSHA, EPA and industry code requirements as well as facilitation of safe building maintenance.

• Reviews plans for compliance with design criteria, codes, and best practices for building maintenance. Enters findings and questions into the tracking system. Monitors responses to comments at all submittal stages throughout the evolution of the design.
• Where deficiencies are noted, clearly articulates concerns and defend findings with appropriate citations such as OBO coden and contract requirements.
• Reviews façade maintenance submittals and plans to ensure building designs adequately address worker safety issues including OSHA requirements related to suspended scaffolding and aerial work platforms.
• Reviews swimming pool designs to ensure compliance with the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code requirements and Department of State barrier requirements.
• Reviews electrical designs to ensure safety compliance in accordance with safety requirements of the National Electric Code and NFPA 70E.
• Reviews mechanical designs to ensure compliance with the International Mechanical Code and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Industrial Ventilation Manual.

• Reviews plumbing designs to ensure compliance with drinking water safety program eyewashes, and other safety/environmental requirements.
• Reviews confined space permits for technical comment and approval.
• Communicates effectively both in written and oral formats and prepares polished and detailed technical reports.
• Responds via email to diverse safety, health and environmental questions and concerns from Foreign Service Officers, local employed staff and family members including indoor air quality, electromagnetic radiation, air pollution, integrated pest management fundamentals, etc.
• Available to travel overseas for trips up to four weeks in duration.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Must be a U.S. citizen;
• A minimum of five (5) years fulfilling the duties of a Safety and Occupational Health Specialist or equivalent experience;
• Mastery of Safety/Prevention through design. Knowledge of building safety in design principles, including architectural, mechanical, electrical, civil, and plumbing disciplines. At least 3 years of experience working with prevention through design.
• Familiarity with OSHA, EPA, NFPA, the International Building Code, and U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety and Health Requirements Manual (EM 385-1-1). Ability to interpret plans and specifications for a variety of large and complex building projects to determine compliance with OSHA, EPA and industry code requirements.
• Knowledge of facilities maintenance operational needs, tasks and materials.
• Utilizes various guidelines such as OSHA standards and technical publications, ANSI standards, EPA technical documents, laws and regulations, as well as NSC and ASSE references. Guidelines may provide only part or perhaps none of the information required to meet job objectives, particularly in overseas operations where innovative solutions may be required to reduce risk;
• Must be highly organized and have excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to work independently
• Science degree from an accredited university with at least five years of experience directly related to safety and environmental management considerations in design and construction of new building complexes.
• Experience in confined space entry, shop ventilation, electrical safety, fall protection, and warehouse safety.
• Must be physically qualified, with realistic accommodation where appropriate, and agreeable to conduct on-site investigation of building systems in a variety of climates, site locations, and working conditions.
• Ability to obtain medical clearance for worldwide travel. Must have no existing pre-conditions that would prevent travel and multi-day stays to developing countries, which do not have the same sanitary, healthcare, and environmental conditions which are existing in most of the U.S.A.
• Working experience with Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel or equivalent and AutoCad.
• Ability to communicate cogently and succinctly, both orally and in writing, to work effectively with all management levels, the foreign affairs community, and other safety, health and environmental professionals to provide and obtain expert guidance, defend and justify recommendations, and report issues;
• Knowledge of communications and human relations techniques sufficient to successfully convince, encourage, persuade and motivate Diplomatic and senior management officials to support integration of SHEM principles, concepts and standards into the Department's overseas operations.

Supervisory Responsibility

• None required for this position.

Work Environment

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• Work location is US-VA Arlington (SA-6) 1801 N Fort Myer Dr, Arlington VA

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 75% of the time.
• Occasionally moves about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Expresses or exchanges ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly or quickly.
• Frequently moves standard office equipment up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to work indoor conditions 90% of the time.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Typical days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening and weekend hours required, as required by business need.

Travel

• Travel may be required for this position; however, the Contracting Officer's Representative must approve all travel prior to the commencement thereof.
• The work is mostly sedentary. However, frequent international travel for periods less than 30 consecutive calendar days per trip is required, which can be extremely taxing both physically and psychologically, may involve long transits, layovers and time zone dislocation, and may involve multiple modes of air, land, rail, and water transportation to reach final destinations. There is considerable walking while traveling and the contractor must be capable of bending, crouching, stretching, etc., when making site visits.
• The contractor must be available for overseas travel for extended periods of time, and to work extended work hours in conjunction with contractor schedules while at overseas project sites.

Experience

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in program management and program planning, and the ability to apply this knowledge to diverse, complex, and important work assignments where solutions are not readily apparent.
• Security Clearance
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and must possess or be able to obtain/maintain a SECRET security clearance.