ASSISTANT CITY ARCHITECT

JOB SUMMARY
This position performs administrative and professional work by coordinating, monitoring a vast array of projects, providing assistance to the City Architect, Engineering and other City Departments; and performs related interior architectural and design and administrative work as required. The incumbent plans, organizes and implements programs within major organizational policies, reporting program progress to executive-level administration through reports and conferences. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

•  Receives and responds to public inquiries, concerns, and complaints and requests for assistance regarding areas of responsibility;
• Reviews agreements with A/E firms, testing firms, and contracts and assures expectations are met;
• Reviews all change order proposals, confirming work and payment is warranted;
• Negotiates prices (when necessary) for work outside scope and make recommendations to management;
• Observes construction, renovation and installation projects for compliance with plans, specifications, regulations and standards of quality and safety, and performs related administrative and technical work as required;
• Ensures all shop drawings, submittals, and necessary documents are submitted and approved in timely manner (by all parties) so schedule is not impacted;
• Performs general administrative work as required, including conducting and attending meetings, preparing reports and correspondence, reviewing mail and literature, etc.;
• Attends professional conferences, meetings, training, seminars, etc., as necessary to maintain and enhance job knowledge and skills;
• Develops and/or reviews plans and specifications for compliance with established codes, ordinances and standards;
• Prepares architectural professional services bid documents for major in-house maintenance projects; evaluates proposals and makes recommendations; and monitors services provided under contract;
• Serves as professional resource to city departments on facilities renovation or redesign; provides information on architectural aspects on project; and coordinates architectural services as assigned;
• Provides space planning, preliminary design, and interior design services for proposed City projects;
• Assists the City Architect as necessary; and

• Performs other related duties as assigned

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture or closely related field;
• Five (5) years of relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License;
• Registered Architect in the state of South Carolina preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of personal computer equipment with skill in the use of Microsoft Office, utilizing Outlook, word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, CADD, and drafting software programs.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely both orally and in writing using excellent organizational and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to negotiate, exchanging ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policy and programs or arrive jointly at decisions, conclusions, or solutions;
• Ability to perform work involving the application of principles of logical thinking or scientific practice to diagnose or define problems, collect data and solve abstract problems Ability to read professional literature and technical manuals; speaking to groups of employees, other public and private groups; writing manuals and complex reports;
• Ability to perform advanced professional-level work methods and practices in the analysis, coordination or interpretation of work of a professional, engineering, managerial or scientific nature and the ability for formulate important recommendations or make technical decisions that have an organization-wide impact.; and
• Ability to make decisions, affecting most segments of the organization and the general public; works in a highly dynamic environment; responsible for establishing goals, objectives and policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The work is considered light in nature and requires sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting operating office equipment. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

WORKING CONDITIONS:  
Work environment may involve both office and job-site conditions, including fluctuation of lighting, temperature, humidity and noise; and is dynamic in nature, which requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to developing goals, priorities, and needs.