ARCHITECT/ENGINEER

Note: Grade NF04/4D is caparable to GS12/13 for Civil Service/APF.

Job Summary: Licensed architect or engineer serving as Project Manager in the Facilities Division (Design and Construction Branch).  Performs professional architectural/engineering work in connection with preparation of scope, written descriptions,  schematic drawings and fixture plans of projects.  Manages and coordinates design, prototype design standards, fixture plates, schedules, construction and budgets.

Duties and Responsibilities:

-  Develops and/or reviews designs and estimated costs of construction of new buildings and renovations of Navy Exchanges, Mini-Marts, Warehouses and Navy Lodges worldwide.  Assists in selecting architectural and engineering (AE) firms to prepare plans and specifications for such projects and related activities, and inspection and acceptance of construction sites.

-  Develops budget costs for new projects from preliminary plans and functional requirements originating from Navy Exchanges system-wide. Projects range from all Navy Lodges, old and new, to one-stop shopping complexes (large, multi-store, multi-purpose conglomerates costing up to approximately 14 million dollars), to such minor constructions or renovations projects as construction of gasoline dispensing facilities.  Upon tentative approval, these projects form the basis of the NEXCOM Capital investment Program for the ensuing fiscal year(s). 

-  Prepares scope of project, written description and schematic drawing of projects which form the basis for advertisement in connection with the selection of architectural and engineering (A/E) firms and renovation work to be done by NEXCOM in-house construction crew.

- Provides resource forecasts and constraints for NEXCOM departments supporting/informing the project decisions and generates/modifies the design and construction schedules in coordination with code BP, the DOR (designer of Record), the Construction contractor and the end-user/customer.

- Thoroughly understands the plans and specs of assigned project and is the focal point/SME for NEXCOM.  Additionally, coordinated phasing requirements and incorporates those into the design and subsequent construction contracts to allow continued store operations where relevant/applicable.

-  Attends meetings of panels convened by NAVFACENGOM (or another executive agent) for the purpose of slating and selecting qualified A/E firms to prepare designs for projects.  Participates in the interviewing of firm representatives to determine most qualified firm.  Also, participates in technical evaluation review boards and source selection boards. Note: Voting panel membership usually requires professional licensing.  

-  Actively participates and represents NEXCOM in pre-negotiation, pre-design and coordination meetings, chaired by execution agent representative with selected architectural and engineering firms and the field activities concerned for the purpose of instructing in specific design and construction procedures and requirements to be followed.  Discusses and clarifies problem areas and answers technical architectural and engineering questions.

-  Reviews and coordinates with executive agent in such matters as scheduling; siting problems and relationship to other existing structures.  Acts as primary point of contact (P.O.C.) and project representative with outside organizations such as NAVFAC, USACE, DeCA and local activities during design and construction phases.

-  Reviews, on a continuing basis, design submittals of contracted architect and engineering firm, for functional, technical and aesthetic adequacy, including their cost estimates.  Where inadequacies and/or deficiencies are noted, advises architect and engineering firms of corrective submittal stages until final package is obtained.  Coordinates with NAVFAC and other Navy commands as well as with the field activities concerned for concurrence of designs submitted.

-  Reviews long range master planning of the various Naval activities systemwide, with regard to Exchanges and lodges.  Reviews for site-planning adequacy; advises Naval Facilities Engineering Command of corrections required, etc.

-  Approves drafts of purchase orders to NAVFACENGCOM for design construction and construction change orders, for the signature of the appropriate contracting officer in Acquisition Division in order to maintain control over non-appropriated project funds.  Reviews bids received from executive agent to assure they are responsive; makes recommendations/decisions concerning award of contract and bid items.

-  Monitors construction progress, through NAVFAC, USACE, and DeCA to avoid slippages of schedules and budgets in compliance with contract documents. Where slippage occurs, contacts concerned NEXCOM divisions to advise and coordinate the revisions.

-  Develops prototype designs, fixture/finish plates, and technical manuals relating to standards, criteria and construction specifications for system wide Exchange facilities.  Prepares guide specifications for types of work that occur frequently, problem areas frequently causing controversy or unsatisfactory finished work, can and should be standardized, and new materials for which adequate specifications have not been previously prepared.

-  Travel extensively to resolve on-site problems and to do field inspections of facilities scheduled for renovations.
  
-  Attends professional conventions, seminars and trade shows to keep abreast of latest  products and techniques used in design, construction and project management.

-  Works under the general supervision of the Branch Manager who outlines general objectives and assigns projects.  Incumbent works within the purview of directives and instructions promulgated by higher authority, which form the regulatory framework, as well as in accordance with professional architectural and engineering principles and practices. 

-  Exercises considerable judgment in interpretation and application of NEXCOM policy and technical practices to cases and problems.  Decisions and commitments generally affect other divisional branches; serious consequences or monetary loss may result from poor judgment.  Work is monitored, for the most part, through discussions with Branch Manager and reviewed in terms of meeting of objectives.

-  Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENT
Architect or Engineer License