Interior Designer

Description:

This position is located at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System (VASTLHCS). VASTLHCS is a two Division (John Cochran and Jefferson Barracks) Joint Commission accredited, Level 1-B Healthcare System serving eastern Missouri and western Illinois. The employee serves as an Interior Designer for Facilities Engineering Service (FES), responsible for medical center interior design projects at all locations. This includes over 1.6 million square feet of VA owned facilities/leased sites.

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/19/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

Interior Design Series, 1008

Individual Occupational Requirements

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.

AND

Grade Determinations:

GS-9 Level:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-7) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: 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. 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. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree with a major study in 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,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. Applicants must have an combination of specialized experience and higher level graduate education beyond the first year and specialized experience.

GS-11 Level:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-9) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Consultant and advisor for all spaces in new and renovated construction projects. Designer employs in-depth knowledge of user requirements, finishes, fixtures and equipment required to satisfy client needs. Acts as the consultant and point-of-contact to guide the design of furnishings in new construction projects. Assists in space plans for in-house projects; reviews all documents for renovation and construction projects; and maintains interior design files which include Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings, specifications, project information, government contracts and regulations pertaining to interior design projects. This includes the coordination of paints, wall coverings, floor, ceiling materials, lighting, furniture, furnishings and accessories, artwork, sign and graphics, draperies and window treatments, cubical curtains, bedspreads and blankets. Complies with existing standard finishes and furnishings to assist in ease of maintenance. Performing interior design services, including 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; managing projects, developing cost estimates, reviewing construction documents, and participating in on-site construction visits. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a PhD. or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree with a major study in 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,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in one or LL.M. if related.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Communications
• Design
• Manages Resources
• Problem Solving

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note : A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

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/ .