Entrylevel Interior Designer Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This position is located in the Office of the Assistant Chief of the Facilities Management Service at the Boise VA Medical Center (BVAMC). This position serves as the Interior Designer responsible for managing an integrated Interior Design Program through the conceptualization, planning, development, supervision, and implementation of work pertaining to Interior Design.Qualifications:To qualify for this position, applicants must meet time-in-grade and specialized experience requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 07/23/2026.
Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

• For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7.
• For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9.

The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
Minimum Qualifications - GS-9 - You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service, that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this Interior Designer position at a developmental level, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. This experience 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; and
  • 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. Additional specialized experience includes, but not limited to: Applying knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional interior design and space planning; serving as a consultant for new constructions and renovations; Preparing technical drawings/specifications for construction projects including developing cost estimates, floor, furniture, and finished plans and schedules, elevations; and utilizing architectural methods, techniques, and software. OR,
• Education/Combination: Please refer to Education section below for details on education substitution or combining specialized experience and education.

Minimum Qualifications - GS-11 - You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal Service, that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this Interior Designer position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. This experience 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; and
  • 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. Additional specialized experience includes, but not limited to: Applying knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional interior design and space planning; serving as a consultant for new constructions and renovations; Preparing technical drawings/specifications for construction projects including developing cost estimates, floor, furniture, and finished plans and schedules, elevations; Coordinating, directing and inspecting work to ensure proper design, material use and installations are completed as designed on time and in budget; managing budget activities; and utilizing architectural methods, techniques, and software. OR,
• Education/Combination: Please refer to Education section below for details on education substitution or combining specialized experience and education.

Note: 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.
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.
Physical Requirements: Work can normally be done while seated, as at a computer keyboard. Frequent walking is required during field surveys and installation of project work. Some lifting is required.
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/.Education:GS-9 Education:

• Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 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 LL. B. or J.D, if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position (i.e., 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). NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

GS-11 Education :

• Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, 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 an LL.M. if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position (i.e., 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). NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Preferred Experience:
Healthcare interior designers are responsible for creating spaces that are not only functional but also conducive to healing and comfort. They work closely with healthcare professionals to ensure that the design meets the specific needs of medical departments, patient rooms, waiting areas, and staff workplaces.
Key responsibilities include:
Space Planning: Analyzing available space to create efficient layouts that support medical services and patient traffic.
Patient-Centered Design: Creating environments that promote healing and comfort, using color schemes, lighting, and furniture to reduce stress and anxiety.
Safety and Infection Control: Ensuring compliance with building codes and safety regulations to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
Materials and Furnishings Selection: Choosing materials that are easy to clean, sanitize, and meet safety standards.
Ergonomics and Accessibility: Designing spaces that are accessible to all ergonomics to prevent strain and discomfort for patients and staff.
Healthcare interior designers play a crucial role in shaping environments that enhance patient experience, boost staff productivity, and support clinical excellence. They are essential in creating spaces that balance functionality, flexibility, and human experience, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.Employment Type: OTHER