Interior Designer

Veterans Health Administration • Loma Linda, CA

24d • Onsite

About The Position

The Interior Designer implements the Interior Design Program in coordination with other interior designers. The VA San Diego Healthcare System includes approximately 1 million square feet of space across its main hospital campus, community-based outpatient clinics, and administrative spaces. The position handles multiple, complex, and often urgent Projects Section assignments, working as a technical expert with independence under the general supervision of the Supervisor. It carries full technical responsibility for creating aesthetically pleasing and therapeutic environments of care for patients, visitors, and staff.

The designer develops and maintains resources for furnishings and interior finishes; prepares or oversees design plans and visual materials; selects furnishings, finishes, and signage; and manages related project costs. The role also supports the healthcare system’s directional graphics and signage program, inspects installations, develops project scopes and procurement documents, prepares budgets and cost estimates, and administers contracted projects as a Contracting Officer’s Representative. The designer coordinates with management and service departments on project requirements, moves, and vendor services, while using the engineering work order system to manage requests and document completed work.

The work schedule is intermittent, Monday through Thursday, 0700–1530, with a maximum of 32 hours per week. This is not a virtual position. The employee may need to work evenings and weekends depending on project circumstances. The position requires site inspections and surveys, including access to unfinished buildings and use of personal protective equipment. The role involves working with conflicting deadlines and shifting priorities.

Requirements

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level, involving interior-space design or alteration, or qualifying education, or a combination of education and experience.
• Specialized experience may include interior programming, design analysis, space planning, aesthetics, knowledge of interior construction and building systems, codes, equipment, materials, and furnishings; preparing design drawings and documents; coordinating engineering disciplines; managing projects, cost estimates, bid proposals, construction reviews, site visits, occupancy evaluations, or space-management standards.
• For education substitution, a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, in interior design or a qualifying related field with the specified interior-design coursework, or passage of the NCIDQ examination.
• For a combination of education and experience, qualifying graduate education beyond the second year and specialized experience directly related to the position must total at least 100 percent under the stated calculation.
• Current or former federal employees with applicable GS service must meet the time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-09 for a GS-11 position.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Complete the required application steps and online assessment.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Ability to conduct construction-site inspections and surveys, access unfinished buildings, and wear personal protective equipment.
• Ability to work amid conflicting deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Subject to a background/security investigation and required onboarding and employment identification checks.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Establish and periodically update a resource library of furnishings, office furniture, draperies, wall coverings, floor coverings, finishes, colors, and fabrics, including materials that support ADA, OSHA, and ergonomic requirements.
• Prepare or oversee vendor sketches, perspectives, and scaled plans showing color schemes, furniture, furnishings, and wall decor for projects requiring interior design services.
• Select associated furniture, furnishings, wall decor, floor and wall finishes, and signage, and ensure project-related costs stay within budget.
• Monitor, modify, and maintain the healthcare system’s directional graphics and standardized signage system, using consultants, contractors, and personal expertise to meet VA Medical Center Directional Graphics Manual requirements.
• Provide scopes and review signage consultant work as it relates to the hospital environment.
• Inspect installation of products in construction and renovation projects to ensure compliance with contract requirements.
• Develop scopes, documentation, drawings, specifications, criteria, and cost estimates needed to procure services or products for program moves into new or renovated spaces.
• Prepare interior design budget requests, individually or with other interior designers.
• Prepare project and cost-estimate documents for the five-year facility plan and funding submissions to the Network and VACO.
• Serve as Contracting Officer’s Representative and administer contracted projects to ensure contractor compliance with drawings, specifications, regulations, and policy.
• Conduct construction site visits and prepare pre- and post-occupancy evaluations.
• Work with management at all levels to develop detailed requirements for general administrative and specialized clinical services.
• Coordinate with Environmental Management Service, Logistics, and the Office of Information and Technology, and schedule program moves and vendor services to minimize disruption to healthcare operations.
• Perform furniture layout and design for interior design service requests, project support, and activation of spaces for client use.
• Use the engineering work order system to manage service requests, ensure timely responses, and document completed actions.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• VA may, upon request and approval before appointment, credit qualifying non-federal job-related experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual-leave accrual.

What This Job Offers

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