Architect

Duties and Responsibilities

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform one or more of the activities described below.

• Provides professional architectural services to user agencies in initiating, planning, managing, budgeting and scheduling of real estate/facilities projects/programs; and performing feasibility studies.
• Manages the real estate/facility project/program development phase by providing site selection criteria; conducting public meetings; preparing responses to administrative referrals; researching site development constraints; complying with regulatory/permitting requirements; obtaining and reviewing environmental audits; preparing schematic designs; developing cost estimates, schedules and scopes for project design and construction.
• Prepares and supervises the design of in house real estate/facility construction projects by programming, conceptualizing and designing projects; and by preparing schematics, construction drawings and specifications.
• Serves as Architect of Record for in-house design projects by supervising the preparation of construction drawings and specifications; selecting, procuring and coordinating the work of consultants; signing and sealing documents for permitting purposes; and applying for and obtaining permits.
• Manages the design phase of consultant designed projects by developing scope of services; orchestrating design activities among various consultants; developing requests for proposal (RFP) for professional architectural/engineering services; initiating and participating in consultant selection and contract/fee negotiation; administering design consultant contracts; participating in design decisions; coordinating with other County departments or agencies to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations; determining progress based on cost and schedule requirements; ensuring compliance with program requirements, budget constraints, scope of services and user requirements; performing quality assurance and constructability reviews of consultant design documents; authorizing consultant pay requests; and conducting public information meetings.
• Manages procurement of real estate/facilities projects by preparing bid advertisement packages, which includes coordination of contract documents, technical drawings and specifications, supplemental provisions, and special conditions in order to comply with Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) goals, project scope and legal requirements; analyzing bids to determine responsiveness of bidder; evaluating cost estimates; arranging for regulatory permit acquisition; selecting consultants for construction services; establishing completion/milestone dates; conducting pre-bid/pre-construction conferences; issuing addenda; conducting public information meetings; issuing construction notices to proceed; and signing and sealing architectural documents as necessary.
• Manages the construction phase of real estate/facilities projects by directing and supervising project representatives and inspectors; administering construction contracts; and reviewing shop drawings. Registered Architect oversees work of design professionals to ensure that the project is on time, within budget and in conformance with quality standards, plans designs and specifications; conducting preconstruction meetings; issuing notice to proceed; conducting construction progress meetings; resolving design conflicts in the field; negotiating change orders and allowance authorizations; monitoring costs, budgets and schedules; reviewing construction progress reports, project milestones and completion times; evaluating progress and comparing to critical path to determine impact; coordinating activities with regulatory agencies to ensure contract compliance with applicable federal/state/local laws, regulations and ordinances; inspecting the site; reviewing and approving progress payments; approving final inspection; identifying construction deficiencies and directing corrections; reviewing warranties; evaluating system startup; and signing and sealing architectural documents as necessary.
• Provides Architect of Record services for construction of in-house design projects by responding to contractor's requests for information; reviewing shop drawings, product information and substitution requests; issuing field orders; interpreting plans and specifications; and authorizing changes to construction documents.
• Manages real estate/facilities projects closeout activities by supervising final inspections; verifying and approving certificates of completion; ensuring training of maintenance staff; transferring of projects to user departments; and reviewing operating maintenance manuals.
• Administers a real estate/facility project or program by developing and submitting program status reports; responding to administrative referrals, architectural inquiries and citizen complaints; maintaining technical library; developing budgets; developing standards and specifications; conducting public meetings; and providing professional opinions relating to County facility projects and programs.
• Provides internal professional architectural consultation on capability of design and proposed acquisitions, project planning, architectural analysis, and timely completion of work within budget.
• Supervises the work of professional subordinate staff by scheduling, assigning and reviewing work, providing training and counseling, and evaluating performance.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Specifications

• Extensive knowledge of architectural theories, principles and practices.
• Extensive knowledge of construction project management methods and practices.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state and local codes, laws, regulations and ordinances pertaining to public infrastructures, building and zoning codes, safety codes, environmental permitting and real estate.
• Knowledge of civil, structural, electrical and mechanical engineering disciplines as related to facilities projects.
• Knowledge of applicable County policies, rules, standards and practices as applicable to procurement and contracts.
• Knowledge of department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of project programming and estimating.
• Knowledge of Consultant's Competitive Negotiation Act, consultant rates, fees and cost structures.
• Knowledge of budgeting and fiscal policies.
• Skill in visualizing spatial relationships and physical requirements.
• Skill in construction contract negotiation.
• Skill in architectural design.
• Skill in the use of architectural instruments and equipment.
• Ability to originate plans and specifications.
• Ability to develop and utilize computer applications for architectural modeling, design, and drafting.
• Ability to recognize and resolve potential construction problems and site development issues.
• Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Physical Requirements

• Standing, walking, sitting, climbing, and crawling.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus in order to read computer screens and printouts.

Work Category

• Sedentary work - Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.  Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.  Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Graduation from an accredited degree granting college or university with a professional degree in architecture; AND
• Registration as a Professional Architect in the State of Florida; AND
• Four years of post-registration experience as an Architect; OR
• An equivalent combination of education (not less than a high School Diploma/GED,) training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above; AND
• Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s license.