Architect - Civic & Justice

Nelson•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

NELSON is seeking a motivated, team-oriented Architect to join its Civic & Justice Practice. The Architect leads multiple projects through design, construction-document production, and construction administration as part of a project team. The role involves developing solutions to technical problems, demonstrating leadership, and collaborating to produce successful design and construction documents. Candidates should have experience across the design process, including programming, master planning, conceptual, schematic, and design-development presentations, 3D modeling, and implementing designs through construction-document and construction-administration phases. Civic and Justice experience is required, including work on correctional facilities, detention centers, courthouses, public-safety buildings, or municipal buildings. An architectural license in at least one state is required. The position combines project leadership and delivery with client and consultant coordination, staff mentorship, business-development support, and continuing professional development. The expected billable percentage is 90%–95% or greater on an ongoing basis. The national average salary range is $80,000–$120,000 for candidates with 7+ years of experience; compensation factors include relevant experience, qualifications and licensure, education, and location. Additional compensation may include bonuses such as long- and short-term incentive plans and profit sharing.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from an accredited university.
At least 7 years of industry experience, or equivalent appropriate education and field experience.
Architectural license in at least one state.
Civic & Justice project experience, including correctional facilities, detention centers, courthouses, public-safety buildings, or municipal buildings.
Expertise in AutoCAD, Revit, SpecLink, Newforma, SketchUp, Photoshop, and InDesign.
Advanced knowledge of building life-safety and ADA codes.
Good understanding of design trends, construction methodology, material applications, and manufacturer/supplier appropriateness.
Ability to adhere to project budgets and schedules.
Good knowledge of building regulations, life-safety codes, ADA requirements, and the construction process.
Good knowledge of design techniques, tools, and processes used to produce construction documents, as well as product specifications and detailing.
Basic knowledge of LEED and WELL requirements.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet identified time frames.
Proficiency in AutoCAD/Architectural Desktop or Revit, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Bluebeam Revu.
Strong leadership, organization, communication, and relationship-management skills.

Nice To Haves

Basic knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, and SketchUp.
Basic knowledge of Microsoft Project, Newforma Project Center, and Deltek Vantagepoint.

Responsibilities

Assist the project team with design and technical questions, share knowledge across the studio, mentor staff including interns, and contribute as a team leader as needed.
Support a diverse workforce and promote an inclusive environment.
Assist with proposal and contract documents and contribute to project work plans.
Prepare and oversee conceptual, schematic-design, design-development, and construction-document work using relevant software.
Conduct field surveys as required and generate overall project design concepts.
Develop or oversee design concepts through design-development sets and complete construction drawings.
Oversee material research, project-data compilation, and incorporation of project information; prepare project specifications.
Communicate with project-team members, resolve drawing discrepancies, and coordinate and incorporate internal and external consultants’ work.
Oversee preparation of addenda and bulletins; review shop drawings; sign and seal drawings as needed.
Review, respond to, and track RFIs; attend construction meetings; make contractually required site-observation visits; and prepare and update punch lists.
Follow NELSON standards and established quality-assurance procedures, reviewing and correcting personal work and the work of internal and external project-team members.
Review applicable building codes and standards, including accessibility standards; prepare zoning and building-code analyses and reviews; and assist with timely submissions to authorities having jurisdiction.
Oversee maintenance and archiving of electronic project files; understand project scope, identify out-of-scope services, and bring them to the project lead’s attention.
Draft client and subconsultant agreement change orders as directed by the project lead.
Prepare meeting agendas, minutes, and phone-conversation notes; attend project meetings and document project progress and client directions.
Maintain secondary client contact as backup to the primary contact.
Support secondary marketing by maintaining good client relationships and attend interviews as requested by project or market leadership.
Maintain licensure through continuing education and enhance software skills through in-house training and billable work.
Meet the ongoing billable expectation of 90%–95% or greater.

Benefits

401(k) plan with company match.
Medical, dental, and vision health benefits.
Wellness program with rewards for healthy activities.
Pet insurance.
Career-advancement opportunities.
Paid time off and holiday pay.
Paid parental leave.
Flexible working schedules and work-from-home options based on client needs.
Professional-development support, including discretionary reimbursement for registrations, certifications, and professional-organization memberships.
Additional compensation may include long-term incentive plan, short-term incentive plan, and profit sharing.