Across Capitol Hill, the architects, engineers and technicians of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) design, enhance, and maintain new and historic structures, spaces and building systems. Employees in various trades such as electricians, plumbers, masons and carpenters maintain the facilities and infrastructure in optimal condition. Gardeners and grounds keepers create colorful displays and care for hundreds of acres of lawns and plantings.

Agency operations are guided and assisted by managerial and professional staff that performs planning, oversight and support functions. Our work requires the expertise of specialists in a wide range of disciplines, including strategic planning, budgeting, information technology, safety, and art and architectural history. Guides and Visitor Assistants at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center provide an exceptional experience for visitors to the nation's Capitol.

All of these efforts are directed at making the work of the Congress, the Supreme Court and Library of Congress – and the experience of the millions of visitors annually – as smooth, efficient and enjoyable as possible.

A Mission We Love

Benefits

Taking care of the people who take care of the Capitol campus is important to the Architect of the Capitol. The AOC benefits program is designed to be both comprehensive and flexible. Benefits include a health insurance program that offers you choice and flexibility along with an employer contribution to premiums. Health care is provided through the largest group insurance program in the country. Benefits also include a leave policy that provides ample time off to take care of your personal and health care needs. The retirement program includes a "401(k) type" plan called the Thrift Savings Plan, and a defined benefit component based on years of employment and salary history.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity

The Architect of the Capitol is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability or genetic information. The AOC is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and diverse work environment. As one of our core values, the AOC recognizes that diversity must be integrated at every level in the organization in our mission. Our differences strengthen our ability to meet established strategic goals. It also makes the AOC a great place to work.

Along with AOC senior leadership, the Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Dispute Resolution (DI/DR) is a principal champion of our diversity initiatives. DI/DR develops and implements AOC's diversity programs, including outreach and special emphasis initiatives.

Excepted Service

The Architect of the Capitol is an Excepted Service Federal agency in the Legislative Branch of government. It is excepted from Competitive Service under the merit system in the Executive Branch administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This means that AOC has its own hiring system based on merit, and has established its own evaluation criteria to fill position vacancies. However, the AOC has adopted the qualification and classification standards for its positions as determined by OPM. Although the AOC has adopted most of these standards, the AOC, under its statutory authority, has also established unique qualification standards for certain positions.

Safety

The safety and well being of all Architect of the Capitol employees are critically important. The AOC works hard to ensure that all employees know how to conduct their work safely and have the necessary training and equipment to do so. This includes the work of the Safety, Fire, and Environmental Programs staff that provide technical expertise and guidance in the areas of occupational safety and health, fire protection, and environmental protection; short and long term planning of occupational safety and health, fire protection, and environmental programs. AOC safety programs are designed to protect the Agency's most valuable asset – its people. Occupational safety programs continue to keep the AOC's accident and illness rates well below the levels of comparable government organizations.