FACILITY MANAGER |  |
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
United States Department of State
An Equal Opportunity Employer
How to Apply
Announcement No.: FM-06-01
Opening Date: April 3, 2006
Closing Date: INDEFINITE
Position Title: FOREIGN SERVICE FACILITY MANAGER
Starting Salary Range: FP-04: $50,749 - $74,527 per annum
Additional Benefits: Tax Free Housing Overseas, Tax Free Educational Allowance for eligible dependents, etc. (See Compensation and Benefits for more information.)
Number of Vacancies: The Department of State (DOS) is developing a rank order hiring register of eligible candidates to fill a limited number of entry-level Foreign Service Facility Manager vacancies. The specific number to be hired depends on the needs of the Foreign Service.
Area of Consideration: All Sources
Location: Initial assignment will be in Washington, D.C. for orientation and training. After applicable training, appointees will be assigned overseas, moving at two to three year intervals to other overseas or domestic assignments.
All potential applicants are strongly urged to read this entire vacancy announcement to ensure that they meet all of the requirements for this position and that they fully understand the special circumstances involving a career in the Foreign Service before applying. All applicants must be American citizens and at least 20 years old to apply and at least 21 years of age to be appointed. All career candidates must be appointed to the Foreign Service prior to the month in which they reach 60.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Facility Management Specialist: The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations hires Facility Managers (FMs) to manage and maintain Department of State real property assets abroad. FMs oversee large holdings of United States Government-owned/ long-term leased properties, and maintain them within accepted U.S. standards in a safe and operable condition by directing the maintenance and repair of real property assets at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas. They provide a wide range of building related services; manage physical resources, and direct asset management operations in a specific country.
FMs may be assigned as Regional Facility Managers with responsibilities for FM program activities in several countries necessitating extensive travel. The FM manages facility related operations and ensures the functionality of all assets in this environment by integrating people, processes and technologies. Facility Managers normally work under the direction of the Management Officer/Counselor and direct one of the largest and diverse work forces at an embassy or consulate.
Facility Managers are responsible for:
- Independent management of FM Program Operations - Facility Managers, in accordance with DOS regulations and guidelines, manage maintenance programs such as:
- evaluating the condition of facility components
- determining total maintenance and improvement requirements
- evaluating operation and maintenance capability in terms of manpower and materials
- and planning project priorities to provide optimum service to tenant organizations.
- Asset Management - Serve as the principal technical authority on asset management related matters, and responsible for all maintenance management operations at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad.
- Building Maintenance - Oversee and direct local maintenance staff and contractors. Facility Managers provide guidance on troubleshooting and /repairs to building equipment and systems such as, domestic water treatment, electrical distribution, emergency power generation equipment, heating, and cooling plants.
- Budget Forecasting - Responsible for financial planning and control of OBO budgets at post, including determining long and short term funding requirements for facility operations and maintenance, justifying budget requests to higher authorities, and controlling and reporting program expenditures.
- Space Planning - Perform facilities planning, including evaluating the existing usage patterns of buildings and equipment; and projecting future requirements.
- Value Engineering - Evaluate construction methods and/or materials to determine which have the net result of reducing costs, and achieve specified performance, reliability, maintainability, aesthetic, safety, and security criteria. Determine manpower requirements to operate and maintain facilities, evaluating employee effectiveness, identifying training needs, and providing for formal and on-the-job instruction in building operation and maintenance.
- Strategic Planning - Develop a strategic asset management plan that can forecast facility management requirements three to five years into the future.
- Contract Monitoring - Administers service contracts and manages maintenance and repair projects as the contracting officer's technical representative (COR). Performs contracting activities, e.g. developing cost estimates, evaluating bid proposals, reviewing construction documents, conducting on-site visits, and preparing technical specifications and statements of work for property renovations and minor improvement projects.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF DUTIES:
Facility Managers are deemed "essential personnel" in most overseas missions, and required to be on "stand-by" or "on-call" duty 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Some posts' operations never shut down, requiring 24-hour rotating shifts. In other instances, extended hours may be dictated by high-level official visits or the political climate of the host country. FMs operate independently with little or no supervision or technical guidance. Therefore, FMs are required to be highly proficient and possess extensive experience as well as expertise in one or more of the facilities related disciplines such as electrical, HVAC, or plumbing systems. At most overseas facilities, FMs provide direction, evaluation, and coordination for all related facilities operations such as physical plant management, pest control, landscaping, and waste management.
CAREER TRACK MOVEMENT AND TENURE:
The Facility Manager career path requires the attainment of professional designations (by completing the course of study and achieving a passing grade) that vary based on pay-grade level. Promotion eligibility to the FS-03 level requires the attainment of the Systems Maintenance Administrator (SMA) designation from the Building Owners and Managers Institute International (BOMI). Promotion eligibility to the FS-02 level requires the attainment of the Facility Management Administrator (FMA) designation from BOMI. Promotion eligibility to the FS-01 level requires the attainment of the Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) designation from the Association of Facilities Engineering (AFE). Additionally, promotion eligibility requires completion of a 40-hour management-training course at FS-04 and FS-02 levels.
Once promotion eligibility is met for specific a pay-grade level, a Facility Manager's name is submitted to the Promotion Selection Board. Promotion Selection Boards meet annually and review each Specialist's annual Employee Evaluation Report (EER). Facility Managers compete against other FMs at the same paygrade level. Available promotions are awarded to FMs whose EERs have demonstrated their ability and potential to successfully perform at a higher level of responsibility.
In general, persons with good EERs will receive a within-grade increase annually up through step 10 and biannually from step 10 through step 14 if they have not received an equivalent increase during that period. A Tenure Board considers Facility Managers for tenure after a minimum of two years experience in the Foreign Service. Performance is evaluated in writing annually by a supervisor.
INITIAL SALARY AND SALARY INCREASES:
Initial salaries for new employees range from the first through the fourteenth step of the FS-4 level, depending on factors such as a degree received from an accredited institution of higher education and specialized experience. To be eligible, the candidates education and specialized experience must be in excess of that which is required to qualify as described under "General Experience," "Specialized Experience Requirements," and "Substitution of Education for Experience." Salaries are determined at the time of offer of employment.
If a bachelor's degree is not used to substitute for general experience, one step may be given for a bachelor's degree, in any field of study, awarded before the date of appointment as a Foreign Service Specialist.
If graduate studies are not substituted for required experience:
- One step may be given for the first (and only the first) graduate degree below the doctoral level, in a work-related field, awarded before the date of appointment as a Foreign Service Specialist; and;
- One additional step may be given for a doctoral degree, in a work-related field, awarded before the date of appointment as a Foreign Service Specialist.
Credit may be given for graduate work only for studies directly related to the Specialist category for which the applicant is being hired.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
| GENERAL AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade Level | General Experience | Specialized Experience | Total Experience |
| FP-04 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
*At least three years of supervisory and management experience must be demonstrated in either a general or specialized facilities management field.
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
For general experience, the applicant must demonstrate expertise in the building or facility management profession; as well as skills in reading and interpreting engineering drawings and specifications, using test equipment, formulating cost/planning estimates, and maintaining facilities and building related systems. The following are illustrative types of qualifying general experience:
- Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program in a construction, facilities related trade, or equivalent military MOS/Rating.
- Quality Assurance/Control Inspector or Construction Inspector
- Civil Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Construction Planner/Estimator
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
For specialized experience credit, the applicant must demonstrate that he/she possesses in-depth knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform effectively as a Facility Manager at any U.S. State Department overseas post. Such experience must have been gained through actual work in the facilities management profession with increasing levels of responsibility. The following are illustrative types of qualifying experience:
- Facilities/Project Manager, Professional Engineer, Engineering Technician, Facility Management Specialist, Building Management Specialist
- Trade foreman overseeing facilities related trade(s)
- Public Works Superintendent, Maintenance Foreman, Buildings and Maintenance Engineer, Facilities Shop Planner and Estimator
- Staff Civil/Base/Station Engineer in a military organization
- Equipment Specialist, Construction Representative, Manufacturer's Field Service
DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:
The following are skills/abilities that applicants should list in their Supplemental Qualifications Statement:
- Outstanding leadership, managerial, and administrative skills, with excellent knowledge of building management programs and operations.
- Ability to interact effectively with others, particularly the capacity to gain cooperation and confidence from supervisors and subordinates.
- Ability to logically and objectively analyze problems and apply sound judgment in assessing alternative solutions.
- Ability to work in a self-directed environment to resolve problems independently and to complete complex tasks.
- Knowledgeable in the use and operation of Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) software packages. Computer literacy, specifically with database, spreadsheets and word processing software.
- Ability to write detailed Statements of Work and negotiate with professionals (i.e., Architects, Engineers, etc.).
- Ability to manage a large, multi-faceted, diverse work force through intermediate subordinates.
- Ability to set up and direct comprehensive facility maintenance programs (corrective, preventive, and predictive).
- Ability to manage construction and renovation projects from conception through closing using acceptable industry standards and project management methods.
- Experience/qualifications with environmental, health, and safety issues, practices and procedures.
- Experience/knowledge of federal contracting procedures, and federal acquisitions regulations.
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE:
Applicants may substitute educational achievements, such as collegiate, vocational, or military training courses, for general experience for any of the following that apply:
- Each full time academic year of education above the high school level in a technical discipline may substitute 9 months of general experience.
- A Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree from an accredited college or university in a major technical discipline, construction engineering or construction management, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering may be substituted for the 3 years of the general experience.
- Equivalent military technical training, which would count toward a college degree (or where a degree was earned), may also substitute for the generalized experience requirement.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUALIFICATIONS STATEMENT:
PURPOSE: The purpose of the Supplemental Qualifications Statement is to provide applicants with an opportunity to describe examples of their experience which relate to the skills listed below, and which best show their ability to perform various aspects of facilities management. The information given may be used as part of the oral examination, if invited, and is an important factor in the competitive evaluation of applicants.
The data provided in the Supplemental Qualifications Statement must show progressive responsibility and provide evidence that the applicant has demonstrated competency in the 10 areas listed under the section below titled "Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities."
INSTRUCTIONS: Using plain white paper, individually address each of the ten items listed below in typewritten form. Limit your response to 200 words or less for each item. Describe how you have used the following abilities and/or knowledge, indicating the source from which the work-related experience was acquired. Examples can be drawn from any part of your life and work experience. You should compose your responses carefully, as your ability to write clearly and concisely will be evaluated.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: For each listed KSA, provide one or more examples, illustrating the level of competence in the identified subject area. Examples may be of previous job experience, volunteer service, or pursuit of a hobby.
- A broad working knowledge of all phases of Facilities Management to include program management, building systems (e.g. UPS, lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, generators, electrical distribution, fire alarm and protection systems, etc.).
- Ability to read and interpret engineering blueprints, schematic diagrams, and building plans.
- Previous experience managing a successful preventive maintenance program.
- Previous experience developing annual maintenance and repair budgets, and knowledge of how to use cost/budget analysis and other processes to project out-year capital maintenance funding requirements.
- Ability to inspect buildings and their critical systems and related components for safe and efficient operation.
- A working knowledge of construction and renovation to include development of Statements of Work (SOW), cost estimates, request for proposal, and familiarity with U.S. construction standards.
- Previous experience managing projects to include use of standards to develop project specifications, review of construction documents, monitoring project milestones, and documenting contractor change orders and costs.
- Ability to communicate effectively, in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing.
- Computer literacy to include word-processing, spreadsheet, computerized maintenance management systems, and database applications.
- Experience managing a large, multi-skilled diverse workforce to include administering employee education/training programs, personnel performance evaluations, and when called for, appropriate disciplinary actions.
PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING
The following documents are necessary for a complete application package. They become the property of the Department of State and will not be returned:
- A completed Application for Federal Employment (DS-1950).
- A completed Employment Data Form (This is an optional form which requests information to be used for statistical purposes only) on pages 4 and 5.
- A copy of your latest Personnel Action (SF-50), if you are presently a federal employee.
- A completed Supplemental Qualifications Statement (KSAs).
- A two-to-three page typed narrative autobiography which discusses your:
- Personal history (background)
- General work experience, not included in the application, which is related to this position.
- Personal interests and hobbies.
- Motivation for wanting a career in the Foreign Service facility management profession.
- Motivation for wanting a career in the Foreign Service facility management profession.
- Official college or university transcripts including confirmation of any degree(s).*
- A copy of your most recent annual performance report.
* A copy of the transcript(s) may be used pending issuance of the Official documentation.
These documents should be submitted together and addressed to:
U.S. Mail, Overnight or Federal Express deliveries
U.S. Department of State
Application Evaluation Branch
Attn: Facility Manager (FM) Program
2401 E Street, NW, Room H-518
Washington, DC 20522
Applications which are received through State's inter-office mail system or mailed in Government-franked envelopes will not be processed.
Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 US Code 3303 as amended from accepting or considering prohibited political recommendations and are required to return any prohibited political recommendations to sender. In addition, as mandated by 5 US Code 310, sons and daughters of federal employees cannot be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities.
THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE IS COMMITTED TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND FAIR AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT FOR ALL WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, RELIGION, AGE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, DISABLING CONDITION, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, MARITAL STATUS, OR PRIOR STATUTORY, CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED ACTIVITY. THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES. APPLICANTS REQUIRING A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ANY PART OF THE APPLICATION OR HIRING PROCESS SHOULD SO ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT. ALL DECISIONS FOR GRANTING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE MADE ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.