Architectural Specialist

Overview

About Us:Bartlett & West is an engineering, architecture, technology, and other professional services firm headquartered in Topeka, KS with 16 offices in seven states throughout the Midwest. As a completely employee-owned company, Bartlett & West has a “We Before Me” mentality. We prioritize service to our clients, communities, and each other. We’re less concerned about titles and more concerned about how each person can be supported to make the greatest impact.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is recognized as a technical subject matter expert for vertical construction projects with in-depth knowledge of architectural systems design. Roles include guidance and mentoring of team members on multiple projects at once, focused on completing the technical deliverable with the team. This position will have a substantial role in developing and implementing the scope, design documentation, schedule and quality plans for projects, typically teamed with an experienced Project Manager responsible for delivering exceptional quality client services. The focus of this position may include serving as an internal consulting resource to other professionals on projects throughout the company

Veterans encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Serve as a design and technical specialist in architectural practice, providing expertise throughout all project phases.
• Collaborate with project managers to support project planning, including:
• Defining project scope, concepts, and strategies.
• Estimating effort, construction costs, and budgets.
• Recommending project team composition based on skills and competencies.
• Coordinating with multidisciplinary team leads and personnel.
• Lead and participate in the production of project deliverables, including:
• Conducting preliminary studies, plans, and cost estimates.
• Creating conceptual and production designs using graphic design software.
• Developing specifications (SpecLink) and contract documents (AutoCAD/Revit).
• Managing bidding, contract awards, and construction administration.
• Conducting project status and review meetings.
• Ensuring quality assurance and control (QA/QC) across all deliverables.
• Performing technical reviews and coordinating across all design disciplines.
• Participate in client meetings to gather requirements, present design concepts, and serve as a technical resource.
• Conduct site observations and condition assessments; prepare detailed reports of findings.
• Supervise and assign tasks to architects, designers, and technicians on projects.
• Provide internal design and technical consultation for proposals and client presentations.
• Foster a collaborative team environment and provide constructive feedback and coaching.
• Stay current with architectural trends, technologies, and best practices.
• Maintain active participation in professional organizations and licensure in required states.
• Analyze project-specific issues and recommend efficient, cost-effective solutions.
• Evaluate and select materials and equipment based on performance, cost, and maintenance.
• Focus on project delivery, mentoring, and technical leadership.
• Develop and implement schedule, and quality plans for projects.
• Incorporate sustainability and green design principles where appropriate.
• Represent the firm at conferences and tradeshows as needed.
• Provide mentorship and support to junior architectural team members.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Detailed knowledge of architectural design & construction administration, methods and tasks, cost estimating and specifications (Front end and technical).
• Visits clients and job sites as needed to support project(s) needs to conduct detailed site investigation and facility assessments. 
• Detailed knowledge with building code requirements and working with authorities having jurisdiction.
• Writing Division 2 through Division 14 project specifications.
• Performs construction administration tasks such as compiling addendums, addressing RFIs, submittal reviews, job site visits and pay applications.
• Demonstrates creativity, foresight, and judgment in planning, organizing and problem analysis and resolution.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills to maintain client, public and employee relationships
• Knowledge of various contracting methods including design-bid-build, construction management at risk, and design-build. 

Experience

8+ years’ experience in architecture with license required and projects with increasing responsibility. Strong proficiency in MS Office and Revit required. AutoCAD, Enscape, Lumion and/or other design software skills preferred but not required. LEED and/or sustainable design experience preferred. NCARB certification recommended.

Education:

Bachelor or Master’s Degree in an accredited Architecture curriculum required.

Travel Required

Must be able to travel in-state and out-of-state on occasion, which usually would consist of visiting other office locations, project sites, attending seminars or business meetings.  Minimum travel is 10% of the time depending on projects. Travel expectations will be communicated through the employee-owner’s manager. Driver’s license with clean driving record required. 

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a listing of all functions and responsibilities that are required of this position. Employee-owners are expected to take on additional responsibilities as requested. 

An offer is contingent upon successfully passing the pre-employment drug screen. Drug screen will need to complete within 48 hours of being contacted. Nearly all positions at Bartlett & West can require employee-owners to operate a motor vehicle on public roads in the course of their duties.  Accordingly, all employees may be required to have acceptable driving records and to provide an authorization to the Company to periodically obtain MVR reports.      

Bartlett & West is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, status as a protected veteran or status as a qualified individual with disability.