Architect

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play and learn. For more information about Placer County, please visit www.visitplacer.com.

This recruitment is open until filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

The Capital Improvements Division of the Department of Facilities Management has an Architect vacancy. Capital Improvements is responsible for the implementation of new facilities and facility improvements in support of County services. Architects in the division, provide and oversee planning, design development and construction administration for critical projects throughout the county.  The ideal candidate will be a talented, experienced, and well-rounded Architect to develop and manage a diverse and interesting project portfolio.

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Professional benefits

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To perform professional architectural duties requiring a high degree of expertise and independent judgment; to perform space assessment, financial, and administrative studies of a difficult and complex nature; to coordinate and monitor complex and difficult construction projects.

This is the journey level in the Architect series, which is responsible for the performance of the full range of duties. Staff at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to the assigned area of responsibility.

Positions at this level are distinguished from the Senior Architect by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, and independence of action taken, as well as by the direct supervisory responsibility assigned to the Senior level.

Receives supervision and direction from a Senior Architect or other assigned supervisory and management personnel.

Exercises technical and functional supervision over professional, technical, and clerical staff as assigned.

• Train and lead subordinate staff.
• Conduct studies of existing and proposed buildings and alterations; evaluate capital improvement project requests from other departments; develop project scope, budget, cost estimates, and project schedule; and manage project budgets.
• Prepare project authorization-related documents and reports; develop project specification and contract documents; and administer design consultant contracts.
• Manage bid process, including pre-bid conferences and walk-throughs; provide technical information in response to bidder inquires.
• Provide construction contract administration; manage construction budget and coordinate and monitor construction projects including consultation with architects, engineers, and consultants; conduct construction inspections; prepare estimates for contractor progress payments; and prepare change orders.
• Prepare design and construction drawings and specifications for new construction or alterations; and prepare general layout and perspective drawings to illustrate and evaluate proposed projects.
• Plan check drawings and determine code compliance.
• Prepare reports, correspondence, agreements, graphs, and tables; and make presentations at public meetings as required.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Three (3) years of responsible architectural experience performing duties which include assisting in the planning and design of a wide variety of buildings and capital improvement projects.

Training: Equivalent to a (5) five-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in architecture or qualifying experience for acceptance by the California Architects Board to take the state Architectural Registration Examination (A.R.E.).

Required License or Certificate

• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

• Possession of an Architect License issued by the California Architects Board.

Knowledge of:

• Policies and procedures of the Department of Facilities Management and its respective divisions.
• County government and services as they relate to facility needs and administrative requirements.
• Principles and practices of project and contract administration, including budget management, basic accounting, and contract negotiations.
• County procurement policies and procedures.
• County budget processes.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local statutes, ordinances, and regulations, including International Building Code and contract law.
• Principles and practices of architectural design, including computer aided drafting and design technology.
• Principles and practices of construction and construction management, with an emphasis on public sector (commercial) applications.
• Statistical methods and analysis, and the use of statistics in reports.
• Mathematics, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
• Computer software, including word processing, spreadsheet, data base, CADD, and graphics applications.
• Business correspondence and report preparation. Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; interpret drawings and plans; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures; interpret and explain policies, procedures, contracts, and specifications to consultants, contractors, vendors, and the public; and maintain an awareness of safety at all times.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk and in meetings for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, reach, push, bend, squat, crouch, climb, kneel, or twist while conducting field site inspections; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk or workstation; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see with sufficient acuity to read characters on computer screen and in the field; hear and speak with sufficient acuity to communicate with clients; and occasionally lift moderate weight.
• Train, assign, and review work of subordinate staff.
• Coordinate and monitor large, difficult and/or complex construction projects.
• Prepare architectural drawings and specifications of difficult and complex alterations, new buildings, and miscellaneous construction projects.
• Detect errors and discrepancies in plans and specifications.
• Explain and enforce codes, plans, specifications, and contracts
• Analyze space requirements and evaluate facility needs.
• Understand and interpret complex rules and procedures.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain information through interview; handle multiple assignments and establish appropriate priorities; deal fairly and courteously with the public.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Use manual and computer aided drafting and design tools and equipment.
• Use a computer, calculator, telephone, facsimile machine and photocopy machine.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Length of Probation:
All permanent appointments from open eligible lists to positions in this classification shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) calendar months or two thousand eighty (2,080) hours, whichever is more.

Bargaining Unit:
Professional

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.