Architect

 

Code: 374B BU: 06 (Salary Info) Grade: 020 Effective Date: 6/27/2008

Description of Work
General Duty Statement

Performs highly-responsible and technical professional architectural work to research, plan, design, and prepare construction documents. Develops specifications, scale and full-sized architectural drawings, cost and material estimates, and project schedules for new, remodeled, or rehabbed facilities. Inspects construction projects and takes action to resolve potential problems. Confers with client department representatives to determine functional and spatial requirements. Provides clients with alternatives at various cost and functional levels. Administers the projects ensuring compliance with safety, building codes, and contract specifications. Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received

Works under the technical, general, and/or administrative supervision of a unit or division manager.

Supervision Exercised

May exercise technical supervision over lower-level support, technical, or professional staff.

Competencies

• Demonstrates an expert understanding of the terms, procedures, and principles associated with the architectural and construction planning processes to include principles of architectural design, environmental planning, and site planning. Demonstrates an expert understanding of the applicable city, state, and federal codes, including the Uniform Building Code. Demonstrates an ability to apply this understanding to identify and resolve routine to the most complex problems associated with the work.
• Demonstrates an advanced ability to integrate architectural planning, constructional technology and processes, environmental planning, and site planning. Demonstrates an expert understanding of the methods, equipment, and materials used in construction.
• Demonstrates an expert ability to translate client business needs into plans and designs that reflect the functional requirements described by clients.
• Demonstrates an advanced understanding and ability to lead others in applying job-required, computer systems, software applications, database management systems, word processing, the Internet, department-specific procedures, and citywide procedures. Demonstrates an ability to utilize these tools in completing daily assignments.
• Demonstrates an expert ability to plan, organize, and prioritize one's own work or the work of others with minimum supervision. Demonstrates an expert knowledge of budgeting methods and practices, contracting requirements, contract administration processes, and an advanced ability to apply those in daily work.
• Demonstrates an expert ability to design and manage multiple, complex projects simultaneously and independently. Demonstrates an expert ability to negotiate and meet deadlines, define, measure, and evaluate results.
• Demonstrates an expert ability to gather, analyze, and organize information, conduct comparative analyses, be attentive to detail, make recommendations supported by identified facts, and present clear recommendations to client departments.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the department's priorities, goals, and objectives and an advanced ability to apply this understanding to daily work. Demonstrates an advanced ability to follow complex oral and written instructions.
• Demonstrates an expert ability to effectively listen, speak, write, and interact tactfully with diverse groups of people. Demonstrates an expert ability to write reports or draw construction plans that can be easily understood by the reader. Demonstrates an advanced, verbal, and written ability to respond to complaints and requests for information on a variety of subjects.
• Demonstrates an advanced understanding of and respect for the diversity of customers, co-workers, and supervisors, including individuals whose first language may be one other than English.
• Demonstrates an advanced understanding of the vision and mission of the assigned functional unit and demonstrates enthusiasm and initiative in supporting the vision and mission.
• Demonstrates an expert ability to lead a work group by encouraging individual participation and managing conflict. Demonstrates an expert ability to be a model of effective team membership by being self motivated, accepting of assignments, completing assignments within agreed upon deadlines, and willingly assisting coworkers.
• Demonstrates an advanced ability to create and maintain a positive working environment by sharing expertise with team members, fostering best work practices, and developing a trusting work relationship with and among team members.
• Demonstrates an advanced ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, clients, contractors, staff in other departments, and elected officials.
• Demonstrates an expert ability to identify the service needs of a diverse group of internal and external customers and effectively respond to those needs. Demonstrates an ability to coordinate customer service efforts.
• Demonstrates a commitment and an advanced ability to continuously improve customer service. Demonstrates an ability to promote effective customer service through example.

Requirements

A Bachelor's Degree in Architecture or Architectural Engineering. Must be registered as a Professional Architect or Architectural Engineer in the State of Minnesota. Must have a total of six years of responsible experience as an architect, with three years of experience in designing and costing architectural service contracts, developing construction contracts, and managing significant-sized projects. No substitution for education or registration.