Lead Interior Designer
What you'd do
This position functions as the Lead Interior Designer for the VA St. Louis Healthcare System (VASTLHCS). The position is responsible for assisting with planning, implementation and operational management of a complete Interior Design program for the VA Saint Louis Major Projects Service. This position will plan and coordinate all activities related to Interior Design with other Major Projects Service & VA staff, contracted support agencies, and commercial vendors.
Major duties
Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Serves as a Team Lead, advisor and consultant on a diverse spectrum of interior design and major/super project functions within the VA St. Louis Healthcare System (VASTLHCS). Acts as a coach and facilitates the selection and application of problem-solving techniques or work methods. Assists team in identifying solutions, setting priorities, and organizing to accomplish the work. Maintains administrative reference material, policies, procedures and written instructions from the supervisor, maintains current knowledge of each to answer questions from project members. Develops a schedule of short- and long-range interior improvement projects for the facility through the 5-year interior design plan and other programs to identify future project needs. Acts as technical representative for design and finish specification matters and manages the facility furniture program. Provides technical expertise to coworkers and contractors - routinely coordinating with engineers, architects, and other designers to ensure compliance with VA regulations and facility design criteria. Acts as, or works with, Contracting Officer's Representative on assigned projects (Majors/Super, Minors, NRM, CSI and Leased), furnishings, window treatments, patient cubicle curtains, wall coverings, floor coverings, wall art, lighting, ceiling treatments, casework, and other interior design-related procurement packages. Provides plans, consultation, advice, specifications, and designs for spaces involved in new construction and/or renovation; reviews Architect/Engineer submittals for compliance with VA regulations and facility design criteria. Works with direct supervisor to prepare multi-million dollar interior design budgetary requirements for major/super and minor construction projects. Coordinates the installation of new signage and ensures the efficacy of signage/directional graphics in areas where new and existing intersect. Participates in planning and coordinating moves with move team, utility shutdowns, phases, and other requirements for construction projects. Advises and implements plan on adequacy and adaptability of a cohesive space including furniture layout, general size, fit and code compliance. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday from 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Lead Interior Designer/PD101230 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/17/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Individual Occupational Requirement: Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- interior design or other field that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in interior design, interior architecture, or interior environmental design; or passage of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination. OR Experience: Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Experience that required the performance of work concerned with the design and alteration of interior spaces to meet functional and aesthetic needs such as: Identifying, researching, and creatively solving problems pertaining to the function and quality of the interior environment. Performing services relative to interior spaces, including programming, design analysis, space planning and aesthetics, using specialized knowledge of interior construction, building systems and components, building codes, equipment, materials, and furnishings. Preparing drawings and documents relative to the design of interior spaces in order to enhance and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Coordinating and integrating the mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering disciplines within the interior context. Managing projects, developing cost estimates, evaluating bid proposals, reviewing construction documents, participating in on-site construction visits, conducting pre- and post-occupancy evaluations, developing standards for efficient space management, etc. GS-12 Grade requirement: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-11, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Serves as a Team Lead, advisor and consultant on a diverse spectrum of interior design; Develops a schedule of short- and long-range interior improvement projects for the facility through the 5-year interior design plan and other programs to identify future project need; Provides technical expertise to coworkers and contractors - routinely coordinating with engineers, architects, and other designers to ensure compliance; Provides plans, consultation, advice, specifications, and designs for spaces involved in new construction and/or renovation; reviews Architect/Engineer submittals for compliance; Works with direct supervisor to prepare multi-million dollar interior design budgetary requirements for major/super and minor construction projects. Preferred Experience: Have several years of VA healthcare design experience or equivalent large scale project work, with a strong command of VA standards, codes, and technical information library requirements. Should be skilled in full cycle design development, from concept through activation, and experienced in coordinating complex multidisciplinary projects, managing FF&E and finish standards, and ensuring compliance with VA regulatory, safety, and accreditation criteria. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
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