Assistant/ Associate Architect

We are seeking a skilled and collaborative Architect to oversee and coordinate the planning design and construction of County-owned facilities. This role serves as a vital liaison between building users and contract architects ensuring functional efficient and cost-effective building solutions that meet County standards.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in commercial and public-sector architectural design project supervision and cross-agency coordination. They possess exceptional communication skills sound judgment and the ability to translate user needs into practical and innovative design solutions while expertly managing contracts timelines and regulatory requirements.

The position may be filled at either the Assistant or Associate level depending on the candidates experience and qualifications.

Assistant Architect- This classification is eligible for a 4% professional incentive pay for maintaining a valid Registered Architect license issued by the State of California. The incentive will end if the incumbent leaves the classification or fails to maintain the required license.

Definition

Under direction to act as liaison agent between the potential occupants of County owned facilities and contract architects engaged in the design of buildings; to plan and design building and alterations to building; and to assign work give instructions and pass upon architectural projects.

This division is responsible for the design and construction of all capital projects and infrastructure required to provide a safe reliable and efficient transportation system forSanta Clara County. These responsibilities include program and project management design development engineering management project controls construction management and turnover of various projects that are part of VTAs rail facilities and highway transportation improvement programs.

This division is also responsible for the implementation of the projects identified in the 2000 Measure A Program which includes the planning design and construction of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART Silicon Valley) Project. This project will extend the BART regional heavy rail system to Milpitas San Jose and Santa Clara. Click here for the Divisional Organization Chart.

Assistant Architect Typical Tasks

• Performs architectural Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) for building structures and interior space planning projects;
• Confers with department representatives to establish building and interior space planning requirements with scope of work;
• Manages small architectural projects from definition through completion of construction. Elements include code research; programming; feasibility; presentation drawing/models; cost estimates and value engineering; design building systems including materials and systems selection; coordinates civil structural mechanical and electrical design with in-house and/or outside consulting engineers; prepares working drawing and specifications; advises construction inspectors reviews submittals and shop drawings and prepares design change orders; and final inspection/acceptance;
• Manages interior space planning projects from definition through completion including preparing layouts list of materials cost estimates; coordinates proposals with system furniture distributors; coordinates installation with users furniture installers maintenance crew and other vendors as required; manages inventory of systems furniture;
• Performs related work as required.

• Confers with persons using or who will use County owned buildings and other facilities to determine building design program;
• Makes feasibility and cost estimate studies of proposed building and alterations;
• Prepares and assembles design proposals;
• Approves materials shop drawing and change orders;
• Advises construction inspectors;
• Approves payment of design and construction projects;
• Makes final acceptance inspections of buildings and alterations;
• Prepares and administers contracts for the design of buildings;
• Coordinates between the contract architect and the user and other agencies;
• Reviews checks and reports on proposals drawing and specifications prepared by contract architects;
• Performs related work in the coordination and administration of design contracts;
• Performs project supervision;
• Designs buildings and alterations to buildings;
• Consults with structural mechanical and electrical engineers;
• Determines materials and methods of construction;
• May do landscape architectural site development and interior design work;
• Prepares working drawing and specifications;
• Makes presentation drawings;
• Performs related work as required.

AssistantArchitectEmployment Standards
Graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in building architecture andtwo years experience of building and/or interior design experience under the supervision of a licensed architect.

AssociateArchitect Employment Standards
Graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in architecture andfour years of experience in professional architectural work including the planning and design of buildings.
Registration as an architect in the State of California at the time of appointment.

AssistantArchitect
Knowledge of:

• Theories and principles of architecture;
• Computer Aided Drafting and Design systems;
• Building construction materials systems and methods;
• Structural mechanical and electrical systems as related to industrial and commercial buildings;
• Space planning principles and system furniture design;
• Codes ordinances and laws concerning building design and construction;
• Project development procedures such as programming schematics design development and working drawings;
• Project management procedures contracts administration scheduling budgeting and value engineering.

• Perform professional architectural work in support of licensed architects including design work and drawing and specification preparation;
• Operate hardware and software components of a Computer Aided Drafting and Design system;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing as well as preparing and presenting graphic material;
• Make sound architectural judgments based on research and analysis;
• Prepare correspondence and reports using common software applications (word processing spreadsheet and scheduling).

• Theories and principles of architecture;
• Architectural details and standards;
• Building construction materials and methods;
• Structural mechanical and electrical systems as related to commercial buildings;
• Codes ordinances and laws concerning building design and construction;
• Principles of supervision and training.

• Determine or establish building design programs;
• Provide project supervision;
• Coordinate the activities of several divisions and agencies;
• Design pleasing and efficient buildings;
• Do rendering and architectural drawings;
• Prepare specifications;
• Make sound architectural judgments based on thorough research and analysis;
• Prepare comprehensive correspondence and reports;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.