Army Fellows Program - Architect

Multiple LocationsUSACE Headquarters59225
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Announcement Type

TARP - Direct-Hire Authority (DHA)

Position Type

Other

USACE Organization

USACE Headquarters

Locations (City, State)

Multiple Locations

Position Overview/Duties

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is seeking highly motivated recent graduates in Architect to join the Army Fellows Program, a premier two-year developmental program designed to build the next generation of engineering professionals supporting critical national infrastructure and public service missions.

As an Architect Fellow, you will receive structured training, developmental assignments, mentorship, and hands-on experience supporting a diverse portfolio of civil works, military construction, environmental, and emergency management projects. Fellows work alongside experienced engineers and project delivery teams to plan, design, construct, and maintain infrastructure that strengthens national security, protects communities, and enhances the nation's quality of life.

Throughout the program, Fellows rotate through key functional areas to gain broad exposure to engineering design, project management, construction oversight, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Assignments may include supporting flood risk management projects, navigation systems, ecosystem restoration initiatives, military facilities, dams, levees, and other critical infrastructure projects across the nation.

Key Responsibilities

  • Prepare architectural sketches and study models.
  • Assist in contract administration and quality assurance inspection of construction projects.
  • Assist in the analysis of problems based on field investigations or studies of construction and design conditions, and recommend most feasible and economical methods of solution.
  • Review architectural shop drawings for accuracy, completeness and compliance with contract specifications.
  • Assist in proposing methods for repairing, restoring and improving existing facilities.

Developmental Opportunities

The Army Fellows Program provides:

  • A structured two-year developmental program.
  • Progressive career advancement opportunities.
  • Formal leadership and technical training.
  • Mentorship from experienced engineering professionals.
  • Exposure to enterprise-wide USACE missions and operations.
  • Networking opportunities across the Department of the Army and Federal Government.
  • Career progression to increasingly responsible engineering positions upon successful completion of the program.

Other Conditions and Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Must sign a mobility agreement if selected.
  • Must sign an Army Fellows Participant Agreement if selected.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • A Personnel Security Investigation is required.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Architect:

A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in architecture or in a 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. Degree must be completed by June 2026.

OR

B. 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 provided the completed course work in architectural engineering provided knowledge, skills, and abilities substantially equivalent to those provided in the courses specified in statement A above, or (2) Experience: 1 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 any college courses, 5 years of such experience is required. This experience must have demonstrated that you have acquired a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional architecture.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes preparing architectural sketches and study models; or, reviewing architectural shop drawings for accuracy, completeness and compliance with specifications; or, assisting in the analysis of problems based on field investigations or studies of construction and design conditions, and recommending most feasible and economical methods of solution. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in federal service (GS-05).

OR

Education: One full year of graduate level education (or will have completed one full year by June 2026) in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: such as Architecture

OR

Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion (or completion by June 2026) of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.). In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/).

NOTE: Grade point averages will be rounded to one decimal point. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0, and 2.94 will round to 2.9.

NOTE: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) was taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, your S.A.A. claim must be based on class standing or membership in an honor society and you must provide evidence of your class standing or honor society membership with your application.

OR

5-Year Architecture Program: Successful completion (or completion by June 2026) of a 5-year program of study (i.e., one designed to be completed in no less than 5 years) of at least 160 semester hours leading to a bachelor's degree in Architecture in an accredited college or university.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Additional information

  • This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a Construction, Analysis, Science, Infrastructure & Engineers (CASIE) Career Field (CF) position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations.
  • If selected, official college or university transcripts must be submitted. However, unofficial transcripts must be submitted at the time of application.
  • This recruitment provides promotion opportunity to the target grade of the position without further competition when selectee is eligible and recommended by management.
  • Incumbent works under closer supervision and works in a developmental capacity performing assignments and completing training, both of which are aimed in preparing the incumbent to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties outlined in the aforementioned job description. The incumbent receives progressively more responsible assignments as experience and training are received to the next higher level position.
  • This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor

To learn more, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity (https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/federal-employees-job-applicants).

Qualifications - Candidates will be evaluated in accordance with OPM General Schedule (GS) Qualification Standards or Federal Wage System (FWS) Qualifications and Job Elements

GS Standards: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation is available to qualified employees with disabilities. You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application process, hiring process or while on the job. Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.