Interior Designer

Veterans Health Administration • Albuquerque, NM

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The New Mexico Veterans Affairs Health Care System is seeking an Interior Designer for the Facilities Management Service, Interior Design Section. The position oversees the planning, implementation, and ongoing management of the facility’s interior design program, coordinating with staff, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders. The Interior Designer develops and executes designs from concept through installation for the main facility and satellite locations, with the goal of supporting employee productivity, health, and safety. The role provides technical expertise, applies relevant VA and external standards, and helps ensure that interior environments meet applicable regulations, building codes, and functional needs.

The position manages finish specifications, furniture programs, signage and wayfinding, and a five-year furniture replacement plan. It prepares procurement packages and project documentation, coordinates interior improvement projects within budget, oversees installations, and serves as the Contracting Officer’s Representative for furniture and interior components. Work also includes preparing space layouts, finish schedules, cost estimates, and presentations; maintaining design files; advising the COR on project progress and materials; reviewing contracts and conducting site inspections; responding to design requests and deficiencies; coordinating furniture moves and project activations; and collaborating with construction teams on painting, flooring, and lighting schedules.

This is an onsite position with a Monday-through-Friday schedule from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The role requires driving a government-owned or -leased vehicle for site visits across the organizational complex and satellite facilities. A pre-placement physical examination, valid state driver’s license, and safe driving record are required. The position is subject to background and security investigation, seasonal influenza vaccination requirements, and a one-year probationary period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Meet the applicable individual occupational requirements through qualifying education in interior design or a related field with at least 30 semester hours in interior design, interior architecture, or interior environmental design; passage of the NCIDQ examination; or qualifying specialized experience. Transcript or proof of NCIDQ passage is required when applicable.
• For the GS-11 level, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-9, including work such as preparing interior design drawings and documents, managing design files, reviewing construction documents, or evaluating bid proposals; alternatively, qualifying graduate education or a permitted combination of education and experience.
• Current federal employees and qualifying former federal employees applying under applicable provisions must meet the GS-11 time-in-grade requirement of 52 weeks at GS-9, if applicable, and provide supporting SF-50 documentation.
• Complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Selective Service registration for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Valid state driver’s license and safe driving record; the position requires driving a government-owned or -leased vehicle for site visits.
• Complete a pre-placement physical examination, background/security investigation, and online onboarding process.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.
• Submit transcripts if education is used to qualify; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and manage a comprehensive interior design program for a VA facility.
• Coordinate interior design activities with staff, vendors, and contractors, serving as a liaison and primary contact.
• Apply and interpret VA, OSHA, The Joint Commission, NFPA, and local policies based on relevant information.
• Develop and execute interior designs from concept through installation for all spaces, including satellite facilities.
• Provide technical expertise and ensure compliance with VA regulations and building codes.
• Manage finish specifications and furniture programs, including developing and maintaining a five-year furniture replacement plan.
• Prepare procurement packages, supervise installations, and serve as Contracting Officer’s Representative for furniture and interior components.
• Coordinate interior improvement projects within budget; prepare plans, space layouts, finish schedules, cost estimates, and presentations.
• Manage signage and wayfinding plans in compliance with VA standards, The Joint Commission, and ADA requirements; evaluate their effectiveness for patients, visitors, and staff.
• Maintain professional relationships with design vendors and industry contacts to stay current on trends.
• Maintain an interior design file system containing drawings, specifications, budgets, and regulatory documentation.
• Advise the COR on project progress, approve materials, interpret contracts, and oversee site inspections.
• Respond to design requests and deficiencies, coordinate furniture moves, and facilitate construction project activations.
• Collaborate on space planning, furniture layouts, aesthetics, and code compliance.
• Communicate with upper management regarding design services.
• Coordinate with construction teams on painting, flooring, and lighting schedules.
• Participate in relevant committees and oversee contractor and vendor work to ensure timely, compliant, and functional interior environments.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family; specific benefits eligibility depends on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree