Project Manager/Architect

$84,284 - $171,307* (CL 29)
San Francisco, California, or another location within the contiguous United States and the Ninth Circuit
Telework options may be available
*Actual salary based upon location (duty station), qualifications, and experience

Are you interested in a position that supports the federal judiciary’s mission of ensuring equal justice under the law? Come join our talented and diverse team at the Office of the Circuit Executive!

About the Role
The Project Manager/Architect is responsible for managing a portfolio of space and facilities projects by providing senior level technical support for space planning, physical facilities, and security projects under the purview of the Ninth Circuit Judicial Council and the Office of the Circuit Executive (OCE). The incumbent reports to the Assistant Circuit Executive (ACE) for the Space and Facilities Unit and supports the Ninth Circuit Judicial Council and its committees. The incumbent, as an owner’s representative, provides support and consultation to various court units within the Ninth Circuit’s portfolio and works with partnering agencies for the development of projects. Project types range from the planning, funding, design and construction of new courthouses and offices, and/or repair and alteration of existing courthouses and offices.

Representative duties include:

• Providing consulting and other services related to all aspects of space planning, construction, security, and post-occupancy troubleshooting for a portfolio of projects ranging from minor renovations to major additions and new construction of courthouses and other judiciary properties.
• Coordinating and facilitating the development of projects involving multiple stakeholders comprising a variety of decision makers in the Court family and a number of other federal agency partners.
• Representing the Court’s objectives and ensuring that budgetary and scheduling goals are met.
• Developing creative solutions to challenging space, facilities, and security-related issues within policy guidelines and funding restrictions.
• Maintaining clear communication with judges, senior management staff, professionals and individuals at all levels and court unit types.
• Regular travel within the circuit, and occasionally outside of the circuit, is required.

Required skills include:

• Ability to review, analyze, and support effective design solutions that meet multiple requirements.
• Ability to review, analyze and support cost control and constructability measures.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with industry-standard cost estimating.
• Ability to work well with diverse, interdisciplinary teams and to coordinate multiple tasks and responsibilities.
• Ability to understand and explain policies and procedures, negotiate fees and costs, and manage and coordinate services required for space delivery.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate with Federal judges and court staff.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy in dealing effectively with judges and senior management.
• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, construction-related management, or a related field from an accredited college or university and a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible project management work experience in architecture or construction.
• Familiarity with courthouse or other public sector construction projects, the Federal General Services Administration regulations (including but not limited to GSA P-100, leasing acquisition policies), and the U.S. Court Design Guide.
• Experience developing design programs, reviewing construction documents and estimates, and resolving related issues from preliminary design through construction for complex architectural projects.
• Appropriate educational substitutions may be credited as one year of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Architect license from any state or NCARB license. LEED, CASP or other professional registrations.

About the Office

The Office of the Circuit Executive (OCE) serves the Ninth Judicial Circuit of the United States, which is the largest federal circuit in the country, comprising nine western states and two United States territories. The OCE serves the Court of Appeals as well as all of the District Courts, Bankruptcy Courts, Probation and Pretrial Services Offices, and Federal Public Defender’s Offices within the Ninth Circuit.

The OCE was created by statute to provide professional administrative staffing to circuit councils, which are composed primarily of judges engaged full-time in deciding cases. The OCE provides administrative support to the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit and its various committees. It also provides direct services to all judicial court units within the Circuit. All OCE responsibilities flow from directives of the Judicial Council or the Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit. The OCE is organized around the Judicial Council’s core functions.

The OCE is committed to providing professional support to the Judicial Council and all court units within the Ninth Circuit and ensuring the highest level of public trust in the administration of justice. This support includes identifying needs, conducting studies, proactively developing and implementing innovative policies, providing training, providing public information and human resources support, coordinating building and IT projects, and advising the Judicial Council on procedural and ethical matters.

Position Details

Location: The Office of the Circuit Executive (OCE) is based at the James R. Browning United States Courthouse in San Francisco, California. Hybrid work (telework and in-person) or remote options are available for this position, following an initial in-person onboarding. Remote work options (telework) are available for this position. Applicants located in or willing to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area are preferred; however, highly qualified candidates from other locations within the Ninth Circuit and the contiguous United States may also be considered.

Rewards & Perks

Salary: $84,284 - $171,307 (CL 29) depending on location (duty station), qualifications, and experience.

Time off: 11 paid holidays, 13 vacation days, and 13 sick leave days per year. After three years (including any prior federal work experience), vacation days accrue at a higher rate.

Benefits:

• Federal pension plan and optional employer-matching Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K).
• Choice of a variety of employer-subsidized federal health and life insurance plans.
• Optional dental, vision, and long-term care coverage.
• Flexible spending account to pay out-of-pocket health and dependent care expenses with tax-free dollars.
• Public transit subsidy.
• On-site gym (in Browning Courthouse).
• Remote/Telework/Work-From-Home options are available.

How to Apply

Please submit the following application materials through the Career Portal:

(1) a cover letter directly responding to this vacancy announcement;
(2) an up-to-date resume; and
(3) a list of three work references, two of which must be current or former supervisors.

Only applications with these required materials will be considered.

Next Steps

• Priority consideration will be given to applicants who apply by August 22, 2025.
• Position will remain open, and applications will be accepted, until the position is filled.

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in the process of applying for citizenship. Successful applicants are provisionally hired pending results of background investigation and fingerprinting. Positions with the U.S. Courts are at-will, excepted service appointments, and may be terminated with or without cause by the OCE. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Direct deposit of pay is required.

The OCE reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, for any reason including but not limited to budgetary issues. Said modifications may occur without prior written or other notice.

Equity Focused Employer

We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. The OCE encourages applications from all qualified individuals and seeks a diverse pool of applicants in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, disability, religion, and socio-economic circumstance.