Become a Civilian Architect at Fort Carson, Colorado: A Premier GS-12 Career Opportunity

Are you a professional architect looking to apply your design expertise to projects that carry historical and strategic significance? The Department of the Army has announced an opening for a civilian Architect (GS-12) within the Directorate of Public Works (DPW), Engineering Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. Operating under Direct Hire Authority (DHA), this solicitation provides an expedited pathway into the federal civil service for qualified professionals.

Fort Carson, widely celebrated as the "Mountain Post," is situated directly south of Colorado Springs along the spectacular Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. It stands as one of the nation's most active, scenic, and critical military installations. Working here as a civilian architect allows you to serve a vital role, integrating your specialized skills into the total Army mission to support military operations and improve the quality of life for service members and their families.

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About the Agency: Directorate of Public Works (DPW)

The Directorate of Public Works at Fort Carson is responsible for the master planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of all real property, buildings, facilities, and utility systems across the installation. Civilian employees are foundational to this mission. They provide specialized technical skills and continuity that are not readily available in the military, ensuring that Fort Carson's physical footprint remains modern, safe, energy-efficient, and fully prepared to support rapid deployment demands.

As part of the Engineering Division, you will work in an environment characterized by collaboration and technical rigor. You will step into a professional civilian community where your creative design capabilities, structural knowledge, and project leadership will directly influence the development of modern infrastructure.

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Job Responsibilities: Designing and Consulting for the Mountain Post

As a GS-12 civilian Architect, your days will be dynamic and intellectually challenging. You will not merely sketch layouts; you will act as a primary project leader, technical consultant, and interdisciplinary coordinator.

Key duties and responsibilities include:

• Comprehensive Architectural Planning & Design: Formulate, develop, and review plans, construction drawings, and technical specifications for diverse real property projects. This includes drafting blueprints for entirely new facilities, designing functional expansions, and planning the adaptive reuse of historic buildings.
• Technical Consultant Services: Act as an authoritative in-house advisory resource for Fort Carson leadership and external contractors. You will interpret building codes, federal accessibility standards (such as ABA/ADA), energy conservation guidelines, and force protection/security regulations.
• Interdisciplinary Leadership: Serve as the prime architect and project leader. You will coordinate with electrical, mechanical, environmental, and civil engineers to ensure all technical areas align seamlessly, ensuring structural integrity, aesthetic value, and budget adherence.
• Renovation and Improvement Projects: Draft modernization plans for aging facilities, ensuring that retrofitted systems comply with environmental standards while improving overall functional output.
• Contract Oversight & Review: Evaluate third-party architectural proposals, review blueprints, perform quality assurance checks on external designs, and compile accurate cost estimations for proposed projects.

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Requirements and Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must fulfill both the basic educational requirements for the GS-0808 Occupational Series and show evidence of specialized professional experience.

1. Basic Educational Requirements

Candidates can meet the basic requirements through either of the following pathways:

• Path A (Degree): A Bachelor's degree (or higher) in architecture or a closely related field. Your transcript must show at least 60 semester hours of coursework in architectural disciplines, which includes at least 30 semester hours in architectural design, and 6 semester hours in each of the following: structural technology, properties of materials and construction methods, and environmental control systems.
• Path B (Combination of Education & Experience): College-level education, training, or technical experience that demonstrates a thorough theoretical and practical grasp of architectural principles. This must be backed by a curriculum in architectural engineering equivalent to the standards of Path A, or one year of professional experience in an architect's office for every year short of graduation (minimum of 5 years of experience required if no college coursework was completed).

2. Specialized GS-12 Experience

In addition to the basic requirements, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the federal civil service. This experience must be verified in your resume and must showcase your ability to:

• Design new construction plans, major structural renovations, or real property improvements.
• Develop complex construction specifications, materials selections, and highly detailed project cost estimates.
• Manage and guide professional design projects through execution.

Note: For this GS-12 position, you cannot substitute graduate education for specialized experience. Qualification must be proven through professional experience alone.

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Salary Overview & Financial Incentives

This position is graded at the GS-12 level, offering a highly competitive starting salary range. Below is a detailed financial overview for this position at Fort Carson, Colorado:

Component	Details / Ranges	Key Considerations
Annual Salary Range	$91,870 to $119,434 per year	Includes applicable locality pay and local market supplements.
Salary Negotiation	Authorized	Candidates who are new to federal civil service may negotiate starting salaries.
Relocation Incentives	May Be Authorized	Subject to agency determination of government interest and Joint Travel Regulations.
Student Loan Repayment	May Be Authorized	Subject to agency approval and recruitment funding.
Leave Accrual Credit	May Be Authorized	Prior non-federal work experience or military service can be credited for higher annual leave accrual rates.

Please note: Under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations, the vast majority of federal Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) entitlements are considered taxable income.

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Comprehensive Federal Benefits

In addition to competitive base salaries, civilian employees with the Department of the Army receive a stellar benefits package that ranks among the best in the nation:

• Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance: Access to a wide array of plans within the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, with the government covering a substantial portion of your premiums.
• Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which features a defined-benefit pension upon retirement.
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): A retirement savings account similar to a 401(k) with automatic 1% agency contributions and up to an additional 4% matching contribution.
• Paid Time Off: Accrual of both annual leave (for vacation and personal use) and sick leave, alongside 11 paid federal holidays each year.
• Life & Long-Term Care Insurance: Flexible plans to protect your family's future financial security.

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Expert Application Tips for Success

Applying for federal positions requires careful attention to detail. Follow these expert recommendations to ensure your package is not filtered out during the initial review:

1. Obey the Two-Page Resume Limit: This vacancy enforces a strict rule: your resume must be two pages or less. If your resume exceeds two pages, it will be discarded immediately without review. Keep your writing dense, concise, and highly relevant.
2. Quantify and Outline Experience Details: For every job listed, you must include the employer's name, your exact job title, start/end dates (month and year), and the average hours worked per week (e.g., "40 hours/week"). Failing to include hours worked can prevent HR from crediting your experience.
3. Submit Transcripts: Because this position has an individual occupational requirement (GS-0808 series), you must upload your college transcripts. Failure to provide transcripts will lead to an automatic rating of "ineligible."
4. Avoid Jargon: Write your achievements in clear, action-oriented language. Use the "CAR" method (Context, Action, Result) to demonstrate how your architectural designs solved structural problems, saved money, or optimized space.
5. Sanitize Personal Documents: If you submit military orders, marriage certificates, or appraisals, make sure to black out other individuals' private personal information before uploading.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Who is eligible to apply for this position?

This job is open to the public. All U.S. citizens are eligible to submit an application.

Q: What is Direct Hire Authority (DHA)?

DHA is a recruiting tool issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that allows federal agencies to hire qualified candidates directly when there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need. It bypasses traditional competitive rating and ranking procedures, allowing for a faster hiring process.

Q: Can I apply if my degree is from a foreign university?

Yes. However, you must submit proof that your foreign education credentials have been evaluated by an accredited private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign education. This evaluation must prove your coursework is equivalent to a U.S. accredited educational program.

Q: What does the security clearance and background check entail?

This position is classified as Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk. It does not require a secret or top-secret clearance, but you must pass a standard suitability/fitness adjudication, which includes a fingerprint check, background investigation, and verification of credentials.

Q: Is there a probationary period?

Yes, new hires are subject to a mandatory one-year probationary period. During this time, your supervisor will evaluate your performance, conduct, and fitness to ensure your continued employment serves the public interest.

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Conclusion: Shape the Skyline of Fort Carson

Serving as a civilian Architect for the Directorate of Public Works at Fort Carson represents more than just a stable career; it is a chance to apply your architectural vision to infrastructure that houses, trains, and supports our nation's military personnel. Surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains, this GS-12 position offers a unique combination of scenic beauty, excellent compensation, unmatched benefits, and professional fulfillment.

Ensure your application is complete, format your resume to meet the strict two-page limit, attach your transcripts, and submit your application package before the closing date on September 11, 2026. Step into a career where your designs build a stronger future for the Department of the Army.