3D06
PROJECT ARCHITECT

This is project architectural work with responsibility for overseeing and/or designing projects for either a citywide capital projects or comprehensive landscape program. Employees in this class are responsible for reviewing, planning, and developing landscape or building/site design projects and for coordinating and overseeing the work of architects, engineers, and consultants. Contact with engineers, planners, architects, and representatives of civic, community and governmental organizations is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the direction of an administrative superior.

1. The employee must plan, design, and coordinate the implementation of large-scale landscape architectural projects for the Landscape Design specialty.
2. The employee must plan, design, and coordinate the implementation of building or building site architectural projects for a citywide capital program for the Building/Site Design specialty.
3. The employee must supervise the activities of consultants and/or staff.

BOTH SPECIALTIES

• Assists in the preparation of capital budget requests; assigns projects or areas of work to staff and/or consultants; reviews site designs, plans, specifications and other documents for feasibility, adherence to departmental and professional standards and practices, and compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations; recommends revisions to the plans and specifications, if warranted; meets with consultants and staff to resolve design problems.
• Prepares design drawings, specifications and cost estimates; reviews and evaluates plans submitted by consulting engineers, architects and landscape architects for conformance to departmental policy and standards; reviews the designs of consultants for proposed project construction or renovation; reviews bids submitted and makes recommendations to superiors.
• Meets with community groups, city engineers and architects, planners, contractors, consultants, and departmental administrators to discuss community needs and desires to receive feedback regarding the same; disseminates information regarding plans and designs; makes written and oral report presentations during stages of the projects.
• Interprets construction work in progress for adherence to architectural standards, designs and contract specifications; facilitates design/construction meetings; monitors and processes budgets, prepares reports, and performs other ancillary administrative responsibilities related to assigned projects; conducts general administration and inspection of construction; recommends approval of invoicing, change orders, etc.
• Performs related work a required.

• Performs field surveys of proposed new project construction sites or existing facilities and areas being considered for renovation; determines soil composition, drainage patterns, area shape and contour; determines type and location of trees and shrubs; selects type of materials to be used, such as fencing, sculpture, stone, brick, padding, and asphaltic compositions, to maximize user safety, facility durability, and budgetary limits.

• Reviews and participates in design studies of site improvements and/or building construction or renovation work; represents the Capital Program Office at public meetings and conferences with other City departments and governmental agencies; monitors design, construction, and post-construction work for achieving design, budget, and scheduling objectives.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• the principles, practices, techniques and instruments used in project documentation
• the principles, theory and practices of architectural planning and landscape architecture, for the Landscape Design specialty
• the sources of information and current developments in the field of landscape architecture, for the Landscape Design specialty
• the principles and practices of horticulture and plant ecology, for the Landscape Design specialty
• the materials and methods used in the construction and renovation of building projects for the Building/Site Design specialty
• the principles, practices, materials and methods of landscape project construction
• the principles of project management
• the principles, practices, and theory of landscape architecture, for the Landscape Design specialty
• the fundamental theory of structural, mechanical and electrical design, for the Building/Site Design specialty
• the principles of architectural supervision, for the Building/Site Design specialty
SKILL IN:
• preparing landscape architectural plans and making technical computations, for the Landscape Design Specialty
• the preparation of sketches, presentation drawings, and mechanical drawings, for the Building/Site Design specialty
ABILITY TO:
• plan and develop designs within the restrictions imposed by budgetary appropriations, project schedules, and practical and safe usage by the public and functional considerations
• learn municipal procurement and contracting practices
• review and coordinate architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and related design documents
• read and interpret architectural and engineering plans and specifications
• prepare or supervise the preparation of schematics, preliminary and final drawings, and specifications
• prepare requests for and evaluate proposals submitted by consultant design firms
• make cost estimates and time completion schedules
• plan, assign and supervise the work of subordinates and consultants
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, consultants, contractors, departmental officials, and community and city council representatives
• plan and develop landscape designs for new and existing areas, for the Landscape Design specialty
• resolve landscape architectural design and interpretation problems for the Landscape Design specialty
• inspect landscape projects under construction for adherence to plans, designs, ordinances, specifications and standards, for the Landscape Design specialty
• inspect architectural/engineering projects under construction for adherence to plans, designs, ordinances, specifications and standards, for the Building/Site Design specialty

EDUCATION

BOTH SPECIALTIES

• Completion of a bachelor's degree program in architecture or architectural engineering from an accredited college or university.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN SPECIALTY
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE
• Three years of landscape architectural experience.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
• Two years of full performance level landscape architectural experience.
BUILDING/SITE DESIGN SPECIALTY
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE
• Three years of architectural experience.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
• Two years of full performance level architectural experience.
OR
BOTH SPECIALTIES
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department, which has included a bachelor's degree as stated above as the educational minimum and the Specific Experience.

• Registration as a Professional Architect/Landscape Architect as issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners prior to appointment and during tenure.

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.