Senior Design Manager, Interdisciplinary, GS-13, Reassignment (24560)

This job opportunity is open to CURRENT, PERMANENT USACE EMPLOYEES ONLY.

This opportunity is being announced through the USACE Voluntary Internal Opportunities Program (VIOP). Current, permanent USACE employees with noncompetitive eligibility to be placed in this position are eligible to apply. This Program may only be utilized for noncompetitive placements, to include voluntary reassignments, promotions not‐to‐exceed 120 days, voluntary changes to lower grade, details, and deployment opportunities. Employees interested in permanent or temporary promotions longer than 120 days must apply through USAJOBS, or other approved merit procedures or hiring authorities.  Temporary or term employees and Department of Army Fellows assigned to USACE will not be considered for positions or assignments through VIOP.

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The incumbent provides technical and administrative management of Architect-Engineer (A-E) or in-house designs for the projects of the largest and most complex magnitude. Solves, advises, or evaluates complex design management issues which involve difficult or unusual planning, scheduling, negotiation, coordination, communications, and contracting. The work requires the application of a broad range of engineering disciplines, including architecture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and structural engineering, as well as management responsibilities such as funds control, resource planning, contract negotiation, contract oversight, and project scheduling.

MAJOR DUTIES:
1. Serves as a senior design manager responsible for managing the efficient and effective coordination and accomplishment of the planning, scoping, development, budget development, and contract oversight of highly significant designs. Applies extensive knowledge of management concepts, principles, methods and practices as well as knowledge of methods, practices, and processes of engineering and science disciplines. The position requires a broad technical background and experience in various functions; a full and in-depth understanding of USACE procedures and a strong management background. The incumbent is required to integrate the customer's requirements into an acquisition plan that is fully coordinated within the project delivery team and meets the District's responsibilities and expectations regarding budget, schedule, and quality of their assigned projects.

2. The responsibility for the design management involves difficult or unusual planning, scheduling, negotiation and coordination, and /or requiring substantial modification or revision of standard guides, precedents, methods and techniques.

Problems include determining project strategy when customer requirements or funding constraints demand strict completion dates, negotiating/coordinating with the user on initial and subsequent scopes of work and design direction customer demands, outside authorities and/or funding constraints require that numerous changes; developing the independent government estimate; the scope of work; the A-E selection for technically difficult or unprecedented (i.e. state-of-the-art facilities, research projects, or work new to the US Army Corps of Engineers [USACE]); negotiating the A-E fee for design services when there are of major disagreement; representing the Government position in negotiation with A-E when major issues of cost or design direction are identified; evaluate project direction (i.e., continue, stop, or alter course) when major issues of cost, design direction, customer satisfaction or construction feasibility are raised by those on the Government review chain; directing projects requiring intensive management due to their urgent importance or because they around significant higher level of public interest; chairing meetings with A-E, facility users, MACOM representatives, Baltimore District technical staff, or others to provide technical direction, resolve design or criteria conflicts, decide on methods to reduce construction estimate when the projected cost exceeds the funds available, determine problem resolution on design errors and omissions both during design and construction, direct the project through problems that demand special coordination, research, or negotiation to a requirement for technical qualifications in a highly specialized field of expertise (hospital or laboratory planning) and similar responsibilities.

3. Coordinates with other project delivery team members in the planning, design, cost engineering, construction acquisition, and environmental considerations for design projects of considerable scope and complexity as measured by their diversity, geographical area, management demands, technical intricacies, and public issues. Projects are complicated by competing interests of the many parties involved, such as customers, using agencies, design reviewers, centers of expertise, approving agencies, and higher headquarters; a high incidence of special requirements for highly technical equipment, materials, and design features; unique projects with special acquisition strategies; or close agency scrutiny because of size and economic implications and top-level approval required. Typical projects include major training facilities, research and laboratory facilities, medical centers/hospitals, and secure command and control facilities.

4. Controls and manages the design milestones and budgets. Allocates project funds to the district elements, consistent with progress attained, and measures and monitors performance to assure commitment of all parties is being maintained. Reviews and analyzes cost reports to assure charges are authorized and appropriate; identifies unauthorized charges and assures corrective actions are taken for the proper disposition of inappropriate charges. Reviews, modifies, and approves A-E payment invoice based on progress, deliverables, and milestones achieved. Reviews design progress, measures performance and takes necessary corrective actions to maintain an agreed-upon schedule and cost. Based on performance trends, forecasts schedule, budget, manpower, or quality problems and ensures proper resolution of issues raised. Reconciles sponsor/customer concerns, assuring that all parties are informed of progress, issues, and impacts. Reviews and approves, within authorities provided, design costs and schedule changes. Endorses all products produced in support of the project, and has authority and responsibility to challenge those products. Provides status reports on assigned projects to the project delivery team.

1. The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver’s License.

2. The duties of this position require travel up to approximately 25% of the time, to include both overnight and day travel.

3. Moderate lifting and carrying of weights, extended standing, sitting, and bending may be required up to 40 LBS.

6. PCS or relocation incentive may be authorized.