Job Description

Under the direction of the Senior Architect (5211), the Project Architect (5268) performs difficult and responsible professional architectural work in connection with the design, construction, maintenance and conversion of public buildings; plans, assigns and directs the activities of assigned personnel engaged in such work; and performs related duties as required. In conjunction with managing and performing the design and technical aspects of projects summarized above, the Project Architect provides comprehensive project planning and coordination services, including maintaining client relationships, support of contract negotiation and administration, public and user group presentations, and maintenance of budgets and schedules for the assigned projects. The Architect also participates in the professional development of associate staff.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

•   Supervises and participates in the preparation of complex and difficult conceptual, schematic and detailed design, through final architectural contract documents, bidding and supplemental documents, preliminary and final construction cost estimates, project schedules and budgets for a wide variety of construction and maintenance projects.

•   Prepares and facilitates communication between engineering disciplines, clients, agencies, consultants and contractors. Prepares and conducts presentations to clients, public interest groups and Commissions.

•   Participates in the preparation of Proposals for Services and agreements with clients and consulting architects and engineers. Supervises the expenditure of the project budget.

•   Participates in the leadership of the Department, Bureau and section (or workgroup where assigned) and in the supervision, training and mentoring of subordinate staff and establishing goals for annual work plans and professional development.

•   Supervises and participates in the preparation of project programming, and summaries of the size and scope of projects and contracts, including cost estimates. Researches, analyzes and interprets regulatory requirements; facilitates project approvals and permits from regulatory agencies.

•   Coordinates the preparation of environmental impact statements feasibility studies and reports for architectural projects.

•   Researches and analyzes project data; selects and specifies building systems, materials and finishes.

•   Plans, distributes and coordinates work by staff; coordinates the work of multiple design and engineering disciplines, checks drawings and specifications prepared by staff, consulting Architects and Engineers for conformance with prescribed federal and state standards, project design criteria and codes.

•   Examines, analyzes and makes recommendations on submitted construction bids and consultant qualifications and proposals; reviews and analyzes contract modifications and makes recommendations accordingly.

•   Reviews and checks contractors' correspondence, reports, change order requests, payment requests and submittals including shop drawings, material samples and substitutions to insure contract compliance and conformity with the design intent.

•   Coordinates with contractors, construction managers, inspectors, project managers, and code officials; conducts field observation of work in progress to assure contract compliance.

•    Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EXPERIENCE: Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in the architectural field, including architectural design, architectural detailing, construction documents, programming, preliminary cost budgeting, specification coordination and review, and construction administration. This experience must include four (4) years serving as a job captain or project leader, and two (2) years of verifiable experience as a licensed architect in the State of California. (Experience in lower-level classes (i.e., 5260, 5261, 5265, or 5266) is considered qualifying.)

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION:

Possession of a license to practice architecture in the State of California issued by the California State Board of Architectural Examiners.

Possession of a valid California driver's license.

NOTE(S):

• A valid out-of-state driver’s license is acceptable during the application process. A valid California driver's license must be obtained prior to appointment and maintained throughout employment
• One-year full-time employment is considered equivalent to 2000 hours (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.
•  Applicants must meet minimum qualification requirements by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: THE STATED DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS MAY BE USED TO IDENTIFY JOB FINALISTS AT THE END OF THE SELECTION PROCESS WHEN CANDIDATES ARE REFERRED FOR HIRING.

•   12+ years of relevant architecture and design experience, with a strong background in projects under the jurisdiction of HCAI (formally called OSHPD) and, especially types 1 (acute care) and 2 (skilled nursing) renovations in occupied hospitals AND/OR Neighborhood Healthcare Clinics.   
•  A portfolio demonstrating completed, relevant projects for which the candidate was directly responsible for the technical aspects of design solutions, especially those where the candidate was the Project Lead and/or Project Architect of the project.   
• Extensive experience coordinating with Contractors, Construction Managers, Inspectors and code officials, HCAI (formally called OSHPD) officials and conducting field observation of work in progress. Experience assembling and processing deferred approval items, construction bulletins and Amended Construction Documents (ACD’s).
• Advanced proficiency in Revit, ACAD, Photoshop, and Sketch-Up
• Strong experience in architectural detailing and construction documents.
• Strong experience in construction administration
• Strong experience in consultant coordination and interdisciplinary reviews between engineers and specialty consultants.
• Experience in alternate delivery methods such as CMGC, CM at Risk, Best Value, etc.
• Ability to maintain excellent Client relationships and should be prepared to provide at least (3) Client references obtained within the last 6-8 years.
• Ability to communicate design concepts verbally and graphically to client and staff
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships across the firm, with clients, and with other key constituents
• Experience with design and delivery of large-scale, programmatically complex projects.
• Experience working as a collaborator and leader within a multi-disciplinary team environment, teaching, and inspiring others to strive for continued design & technical excellence.
• Proven track record in delivering projects at all scales and leading multi-disciplinary teams with a high standard of design & technical excellence.
• Proven track record of developing forward-looking and innovative approaches to architecture.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent presentation skills.

VERIFICATION: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements

NOTE: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

SELECTION PROCEDURE/EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ): Candidates will be required to complete a MQSQ as part of the employment application. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.

Supplemental Questionnaire (Weight 100%): Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and submit the required verification will be sent a supplemental questionnaire to complete and return by e-mail. This questionnaire has been designed to measure knowledge, skills and/or abilities in job-related areas which may include, but not be limited to, knowledge of: architectural theory, practice and procedures, construction methods and materials and their application to architectural and designing phases of construction projects, the laws, ordinances and regulations applicable to construction projects; ability to: plan, organize and supervise the work of subordinate personnel, prepare technical and professional reports, communicate, coordinate and work effectively with client representatives for City departments, Public Commissions, public interest groups or other project stakeholders, regulatory agencies, professional engineers, architects, contractors and other professional groups, degree of analytical ability and professional judgment; skill in: the application of architectural theory including current practice and production techniques to practical architectural problems and the preparation of complete architectural plans, specifications and presentations, the use of electronic architectural drafting and/or 3D modeling software for building information modeling (BIM).

IMPORTANT NOTE: As part of the supplemental questionnaire, candidates will be required to submit the best examples of their work, which highlights their design and technical skills from their portfolio up to a maximum of 10 pages in PDF format. Responses to the questionnaire and portfolio examples will be evaluated and scored. All information should be consistent with the official employment application and is subject to verification. Failure to complete the questionnaire and submit PDF portfolio examples may result in disqualification or a lower score. Candidates must achieve a passing score in order to be ranked on the eligible list.

Additional Information

ELIGIBLE LIST/SCORE REPORT: A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be 12 months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

To find Departments which use this classification, please see https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/Forms-Documents/Position-Counts-by-Job-Codes-and-Department-FY-2021-22.pdf.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Clearance:

Candidates for employment with the San Francisco Airport Commission are required to undergo a criminal history record check, including FBI fingerprints, and Security Threat Assessment in order to determine eligibility for security clearance and may be required to undergo drug/alcohol screening. Per Civil Service Commission Rule Section 110.9.1, every applicant for an examination must possess and maintain the qualifications required by law and by the examination announcement for the examination. Failure to obtain and maintain security clearance may be basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission.

TERMS OF ANNOUNCEMENT AND APPEAL RIGHTS: Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. [Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov.] The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement. Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at http://sfgov.org/civilservice/rules.]

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams [CPE ONLY]
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

HOW TO APPLY: Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.sf.gov and begin the application process.

• Select the “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen

Applicants may be contacted by email about this announcement and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses @sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. FAILURE TO RECEIVE THIS EMAIL MEANS THAT THE ONLINE APPLICATION WAS NOT SUBMITTED OR RECEIVED.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

EXAM ANALYST INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst at chaundra.dixon@sfgov.org.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.