Senior Project Architect

JOB SUMMARY

Designing Justice + Designing Spaces (DJDS) is a non-profit architecture & real estate development firm that is building a national portfolio of projects designed to help interrupt the prison industrial complex, opening new pathways for our communities most impacted by mass incarceration. To achieve this mission our team is composed of architects, designers, real estate developers and community members working together to create solutionary spaces and places that bring dignity, well-being and care to the communities we serve.

The unique position serves as a lead architect or architectural associate on all projects and related programming. The position follows and integrates the core activities involved in pre-design, basic architecture services as well as expanded tasks that include community engagement, workshop facilitation, research, and public speaking. The ideal candidate for this position will love our mission, have excellent design skills across a variety of project scales, and an interest in bringing those design skills to finance and real estate development projects throughout California and across the country.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES (Expected duties of a Technical level position with 10+ Years of Experience)

• Provide technical drawing and design support on architecture and real estate development of large and small-scale creative placemaking projects ranging from new construction, renovation,  adaptive reuse, specialized housing, commercial, tenant improvement, mixed use, education,  fabrication and various emergent project typologies and prototypes.
• Work collaboratively with the Design Director and architecture design team on conceptual design, development, and presentation of project concepts including the translation of design concepts into technical drawings.
• Use your unique skill set, background, training, and talents to optimize solutions for assigned projects, embody the DJDS design ethos and integrate sustainable design.
• Work collaboratively with the community engagement team to strategize and create contextually appropriate tools, materials and schedules to facilitate effective community engagement processes and data collection to inform the design process.
• Learn and utilize coding analyzing processes to effectively translate community engagement data to be used for design concepts and storytelling.
• Clearly communicate and quickly advance design concepts that reflect the engagement data in an organized and efficient manner with high attention to innovation, and detail via hand sketching, 3D modeling, model making and other relevant design communication methods.
• Consult with clients to refine project scope, budget and timeline of project(s).
• Assist in procuring appropriate project consultants relative to the project scope.
• Coordinate with project consultants regarding project schedules and drawing coordination ensuring seamless design integration.
• Communicate with cost estimators/contractors to obtain cost estimates
• Communicate effectively with public agencies and jurisdictions.
• Direct project team in the preparation of all related project documentation. Lead project meetings and discussions as needed.
• Review drawings for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with project standards and regulations in addition to the firm’s quality assurance quality control standards.
• Facilitate and participate in knowledge sharing workshops/presentations to elevate organizational skills  and contribute to the development of organizational processes and procedures pertaining to projects. Participate in thought leadership of DJDS prototypes and typologies.
• Research:
  • Stay current with building codes to ensure all drawings and plans meet legal requirements.
  • Stay current with new building products, technology and construction techniques.
• Attend project owner/architect or owner/architect/contractor meetings and site visits and work closely and collaboratively with DJDS leadership, clients, project partners, contractors, and consultants throughout all phases of the design and  development process.
• Manage and complete construction administrative tasks 

Project Architect will work closely with the Project Manager and may serve as Project Manager/Project Architect of select projects as needed with the following responsibilities:

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Technical Support for Architecture Design:

• Currently residing in the California Bay Area
• Bachelor of Architecture or Master’s degree in architecture
• Minimum 10+ years architecture industry experience with exposure to all phases of architectural design including predesign and programming.
• Licensure or on the path to licensure. (Licensure or willingness to pursue licensure in multiple states is a plus)
• Extensive experience in Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Suite
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of construction detailing and documentation, including building assemblies and finishes, furniture and lighting, and a thorough understanding of coordinating drawing sets and specifications.
• Comprehensive knowledge of IBC & California State Building Codes and Standards.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office and Google Apps
• Open to learn new softwares, modeling tools and techniques as needed.
• Foster and maintain a collaborative professional working environment with project design staff.
• Initiate, build and manage relationships with project partners and community stakeholders.
• Mentor and guide work of less experienced design staff on projects
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and a high level of discretion when needed.
• Exceptional skills in written and verbal communication and cross-disciplinary collaborative teamwork
• Facilitation and conflict management skills; thoughtful, empathetic negotiation skills
• Attend and participate in thought leadership of DJDS’ organizational model to include attending and speaking at relevant conferences and conventions,  and press-related interviews on behalf of DJDS
• Strong self-awareness, with cultural competency for a diverse range of cultures, communities, and lived experiences.
• High level of emotional intelligence and ability to apply it.
• Commitment to learning and understanding robust cross-disciplinary and community-led processes and practices
• Adaptability to uncertainty and emergent project processes
• Acute understanding of systemic racism and social inequities and its impacts on a range of individuals from systems-impacted individuals and their communities of care to elected officials.
• Commitment to DJDS’ mission and goals
• Attend staff, project meetings and site visits as required

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

• Healthcare benefits with options for medical insurance under the company group plan. DJDS contributes 100% of employee, and child dependents under 26, healthcare, dental, and vision insurance plans offered under the group healthcare offerings.
• Compensation range for this role starts at $100,000 annually

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a digital portfolio, following the directions below. If you have a website that includes your portfolio, you may send a PDF of your cover letter and resume, and the appropriate link(s) for the rest.

Email: [email protected]

Subject Line: Senior Project Architect

Attachment: One multipage PDF not to exceed 3MB

The PDF should include:

• Cover letter (in your cover letter please include (please limit to 400 words max):
  • Your experience or understanding of Restorative Justice
  • Your experience or understanding of Trauma-Informed Practice
  • An example where you have had to navigate a difficult conversation or resolve conflict in a professional setting.
  • Your understanding of Emotional Intelligence and its relation to personal accountability
• Resume
• Portfolio with the following examples, for which you have primary authorship:
  • Project examples which clearly demonstrate your role in the design and completion of the project.
  • Project examples for which demonstrate your design acumen, creative process, and ability to produce design and construction drawings.
  • Other creative design, fabrication and artistic endeavors that support your design and creative development are welcome.

Please, no phone calls or recruiters. All applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.