ARCHITECT

This position advertised has been exempted from the federal civilian hiring freeze.

Current FBI employees are ineligible to apply if serving under the same conditions as that for which is advertised, including:

• Appointing organization (FBI)
• Type of position (full-time, part-time, etc.)
• Same or higher grade
• Duty location (city or state)
• Type of appointment (permanent, temporary, etc.)

Job Opening: 65520

Opening Date: July 8, 2026
Closing Date: July 22, 2026 at 11:59 pm (ET)

Job Title Architect

Full Performance Level GS-14

Division Finance & Facilities Division

Unit Real Property Management Section

Location Washington, DC; Quantico, VA; or Huntsville, AL

Working Hours 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Flexible)

Job Type Full Time/Permanent

Who May Apply All U.S. Citizens

Number of Positions Available 1

Questions Email HRS Mary Arbelo at marbelo@fbi.gov

Salary
GS-13: $90,925.00 - $118,204.00

GS-14: $107,466.00 - $139,684.00

The salary shown is the BASE SALARY for the grade level. The appropriate locality pay will be applied according to the location of the official duty station.

JOB SUMMARY

The Facilities Branch of the Finance and Facilities Division provides a wide range of facilities support and management services across multiple sections. These sections and responsibilities include: #LI-FBI

• The National Capital Region Section: Provides timely, suitable, modern, safe and secure working environments/facilities and provides quality facility support services for the HQ Divisions in the Washington, DC area.
• The Real Property Management Section: Administers professional and responsive facilities management, including engineering and design research; construction and spatial modification solutions; maintenance and energy monitoring; and logistical services for the tenant organizations at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA.
• The Redstone Facilities Services Section: Responsible for all planning, construction, occupancy, facilities, and services located across the FBI Redstone campus, Huntsville, AL.
• The Field Operations Support Section: Provides real estate and facility support services for the FBI's 56 Field Office property portfolios and international Legat locations. This section also supports the FBI's fleet inventory and firearms range program.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance
• Must have (or be able to obtain) a valid Driver License
• Some travel may be required
• ALL applicants must verify completion of the basic education requirement by submitting a copy of college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is principally sedentary, although there is some walking, bending and the like involved in activities such as inspections of installed equipment, construction sites or field offices.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is generally performed in an office type-setting. On occasion, meetings and on-site inspections will require travel and exposure to construction activity.

MAJOR DUTIES

GS-13

• Responsible for designing, planning, evaluating, and coordinating the construction and alteration of FBI facilities.
• Provides architectural expertise relative to the planning and budgeting of FBI office space, maintenance facilities, and the like, and provides advice and assistance to officials, managers and other specialists in the accomplishment of assigned projects.
• Serves as liaison architect between the FBI, other government stakeholders, and contract architectural-engineering (A/E) firms. Coordinates the review of plans and specifications developed by A/E firms.
• Sets architectural standards for FBI facilities including those related to space planning. Serves as professional advisor to senior FBI management and to various FBI entities on all architectural issues pertaining to structural and life-safety requirements.
• For projects designed in-house, manages the preparation of working drawings, specifications, and construction details, as required. Reviews cost estimates submitted by contractors to assure accuracy and fairness of price.
• Travels to project sites and conducts on-site reviews of existing facilities and possible future sites. Collects data for updates that need to be made to bring facilities up to code and ensure safety of occupants. Meets with local FBI representatives, officials of other Federal, state and local agencies and departments and coordinates development of plans for new construction and renovations.

GS-14 (in addition to above):

• Serves as senior technical authority on architectural matters and is responsible for architectural aspects of planning, design, construction and alteration of all FBI facilities throughout the United States and its territories.
• Provides guidance, direction, training, and oversight to lower-level architects within the unit in processing of their individual architectural projects and assignments. Provides written or oral input concerning their performance on specific projects to unit management personnel.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATIONS

Please ensure that your specialized experience and requirements are clearly identifiable in your resume. Your application will be evaluated using the FBI's Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documents will be reviewed to verify that you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

If you are found minimally qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process.

The competencies will be used in a Structured Resume Review to objectively evaluate applicant resumes. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the competencies identified below. Your resume should demonstrate that you possess the following competencies.

Competencies

• Communication
• Design
• Project Management
• Flexibility/Adaptability
• Problem Solving/Judgment

Positive Education Requirement

This position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic educational requirement by submitting a copy of their college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Basic Requirements:

1. Degree: architecture; or related field that included 60 semester hours of course work in architecture or related disciplines of which at least (1) 30 semester hours were in architectural design, and (2) 6 semester hours were in each of the following: structural technology, properties of materials and methods of construction, and environmental control systems.

OR

2.Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the arts and sciences underlying professional architecture, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the architectural principles, methods, and techniques and their applications to the design and construction or improvement of buildings. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by at least one of the following:

1) Related Curriculum : Degree in architectural engineering may be accepted as satisfying in full the basic requirements, provided the completed course work in architectural engineering provided knowledge, skills, and abilities substantially equivalent to those provided in the courses specified in paragraph A. The curriculum for a degree in either architecture or architectural engineering covers function, esthetics, site, structure, economics, mechanical-electrical, and other engineering problems related to the design and construction of buildings primarily (but not exclusively) intended to house human activities. The courses required for a degree in architecture generally place emphasis upon planning, esthetics, and materials and methods of construction, while the courses for an architectural engineering degree place equal or greater weight on the technical engineering aspects such as structural systems, mechanical systems, and the properties of materials. Because of this difference in emphasis, persons with degrees in architecture may have a preference for work assignments that offer greater opportunities for them to express their artistic and creative abilities. As a result, they may be more concerned with planning and design aspects of architecture, and persons with degrees in architectural engineering may be more engaged in aspects emphasizing technical engineering considerations.

2) Experience : An applicant lacking a degree in architecture must have had one year of experience in an architect's office or in architectural work for each year short of graduation from a program of study in architecture. In the absence of college courses, 5 years of such experience is required. This experience must have demonstrated that the applicant has acquired a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional architecture.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements provided you can show foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.

Specialized Experience (SE)

GS-13: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Ability to prepare, read, interpret scaled design contract drawings and floor plans, blueprints, and shop drawings, as well as ability to think and reason in abstract terms as a means of assessing space requirements.
• Working knowledge of related engineering fields such as structural, mechanical and electrical to incorporate such areas into overall design considerations.
• Knowledge of International Building Code, NFPA Life Safety Code, and other Federal, state, and local building codes and regulations.

GS-14: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. SE (in addition to the above) is defined as follows:

• Mastery of advanced concepts, principles and practices of architecture acquired through a bachelor's degree in architecture and through extensive experience in the work. Such knowledge enables incumbent to serve effectively as an expert in the full range of architectural systems, processes and components inherent in the design and construction of FBI facilities.
• Knowledge of and skill in contract administration and project management necessary to plan, design, evaluate, coordinate, advise on, administer or oversee the creation, construction, alteration or restoration of buildings or facilities to ensure implementation of these projects on a scheduled basis and in a cost-effective manner.

HOW TO APPLY

For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on . If applying online is a hardship, please use the contact information listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

To apply to this position, interested applicants must provide a complete application package by the closing date which includes:

Utilizing the Resume Builder, outline your relevant work experience and associated start and end dates. Uploaded resumes will not be reviewed or used for qualification purposes.

Other supporting documents (if applicable):

• College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
• Former civilian Federal employees must submit a copy of your MOST RECENT SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, salary, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc. This is a requirement to verify your Time in Grade (TIG). Actions such as promotion, within grade increase, or reassignment actions must be submitted as your most recent SF 50.
• Most recent Performance Appraisal; not applicable to current FBI employees
  Veterans: DD 214; Disabled Veterans: DD 214, SF-15, and VA letter dated 1991 or later
• Memorandum for Record (MFR): Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on an SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation:
  • Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties.
  • The month/year work began
    Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
  • Specific duties performed

Attach the Memorandum for Record to your application in the "Cover Letters and Attachments" section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type "Other."

While applicants might see these documents in their profile, HR Specialists may be unable to access them. Therefore, all applicants MUST upload another copy to ensure that staffing units can review the complete application.

Please note: Failure to provide the necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Incomplete applications will not be supplemented with additional requests for information; your application will be evaluated solely on the information you submit. You must complete the application process and submit all required documents by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the announcement's closing date.

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The FBI is in the Executive Branch of the federal government. It is one of the components of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The FBI is the principle investigative arm of the DOJ. All FBI positions are in the excepted service.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens and consent to a complete background investigation, urinalysis, and polygraph. You must be suitable for Federal employment; as determined by a background investigation.
• Positions with fitness for duty requirements or those that require international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.
• Management may select any grade for which this position has been announced.
• Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties.
• If you are selected, you will be required to serve a two-year probationary period. Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Probationary Employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI.

Veterans' Preference

If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume and application. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

Nepotism

Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorse a relative's appointment or promotion. During the hiring process, all selected candidates and FBI hiring managers will be required to certify they are not related to anyone involved in the hiring process.

Reasonable Accommodation

The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and/or hiring process, please contact the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by email at REASONABLE_ACCOMMODA@fbi.gov, phone at 202-324-2158, or fax at 202-324-3976. This email address is for reasonable accommodation requests only. Do not send applications or unrelated inquiries to this address, as they will not be considered.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex, pregnancy and related conditions, or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors.

Benefits

The Bureau matches your dedication with a commitment to professional growth, a supportive work environment, and a robust benefits package that prioritizes you. As a member of our team, you'll enjoy comprehensive health and life insurance benefits, paid vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays. For more details about benefits available to all federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's .