JOB TITLE: ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANT

JOB CODE: 13330

DEFINITION:

This is consultative, professional architectural work.

An employee in this job performs advanced consultative and professional architectural work for agency and capital improvement construction projects on a statewide basis, or for publicly funded institutional and educational building projects. Work involves developing architectural designs and solutions to construction problems, and resolving construction dispute cases which require a registered architect; serving as the project coordinator for large, complex, or unique construction projects that are contracted to private sector licensed professional architects and engineers; providing direction, advanced technical architectural guidance, and contract administration from the inception of the project to its completion; and critically evaluating architectural projects to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and architectural standards. An important aspect of this work involves conducting research, evaluating findings, and providing recommendations to commonwealth staff, private sector architects and engineers, and others on standards of architectural practice and methods and materials of construction. Work may include managing new construction, preservation, restoration, or maintenance projects for historic structures or archive buildings requiring compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s standards or other preservation standards. Assignments are received with general instructions and are carried out independently within broad architectural and administrative guidelines. Work is reviewed by an architectural manager or an administrative supervisor for overall effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and achievement of objectives and goals.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Manages large, complex, or unique construction projects by reviewing plans, specifications, and cost estimates developed by private sector registered architects and engineers.

• Reviews and approves project plans, cost estimates, contracts, architectural drawings and specifications, construction submittals, computations, and material samples.

• Evaluates the approach, site selection, design concepts, architectural soundness, and cost effectiveness of assigned projects to ensure adherence to federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, and architectural standards.

• Provides approval or disapproval of documents and signs off on final clearance forms for each construction project.

• Reviews and researches plans and specifications for construction projects which involve unusual or innovative approaches and safety concerns for commonwealth owned and operated facilities.

• Conducts studies into the feasibility of changing architectural procedures, methods, or standards in response to changes in technology, funding, and administrative policies.

• Evaluates plans, associated documentation, and construction methodology and makes recommendations for changes.

• Reviews and edits contracts, standard forms of agreements, internal guidelines, and manuals.

• Conducts review conferences with vested parties to discuss project scope, observations, and conclusions.

• Develops or provides guidance on architectural designs for new construction and renovation projects and works with engineers and specialists to integrate green technology, conveying systems, security systems, fire alarm systems, fire suppression systems, security systems, smoke evacuation or other life safety systems, communication systems, operational systems, and other related systems.

• Reviews costs estimates and schedules of value during planning and various construction stages to ensure adequate funding, and requests additional funds.

• Participates in formal pre-claim hearings, claims hearings, and settlements for dispute resolutions by providing technical expertise regarding the evaluation and determination of errors and omissions by the construction contractor, professional engineer, or architect.

• Reviews, researches, and determines the appropriateness of proposed change orders in construction materials, methods, or design configurations necessitated as a result of field conditions, changes from originating agency, errors or omissions, or alternatives requested by the building contractor.

• Conducts investigations into architectural failures caused by unusual environmental conditions or suspected faulty designs and provides solutions to resolve problems.

• Participates in a variety of construction-related activities such as demolition, hazardous material removal and abatement, ordinance and code compliance, and construction change orders.

• Informs public officials, the public, and news media on the scope and status of architectural matters through correspondence, public meetings, or media appearances.

• Evaluates building safety following natural disasters or other incidents which may affect structural integrity.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• An employee in this job may participate in subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs other related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of architecture.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of construction project management and contract administration.

• Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and sources used in estimating construction costs.

• Knowledge of the characteristics, testing, and assemblies of building materials, equipment, and fixtures, and their principal applications in architectural design and construction.

• Knowledge of architectural and construction drawings, specifications, and documents used in the design of construction and renovation projects.

• Knowledge of civil, mechanical, fire suppression, plumbing, and electrical drawings, specifications, and reports used in the design of construction and renovation projects.

• Knowledge of environmental dynamics, controls, and systems used in construction and renovation projects.

• Knowledge of computer programs used in the design and review of architectural work.

• Knowledge of report writing related to building construction and renovation projects.

• Ability to read and interpret written information, such as laws, codes, regulations, policies, procedures, and legal guidelines.

• Ability to perform mathematical calculations.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• One year as an Architectural Designer 2;

or

• Three years of professional architectural experience in building renovation or preservation and new construction for commercial, institutional, government, or educational buildings or structures, and a bachelor's degree in architecture, architectural engineering, or a closely related field which included major course work in architectural design;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• All positions require active licensure as a registered architect by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or a reciprocal jurisdiction; or an active certification as issued by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).