Senior Architect

Job Description:

Senior Architect

Description

THE POSITION

With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice.

The Community Development Department is seeking a Senior Architect (SA) for the Planning Inspection and Plan Review unit (PIPR). This position is responsible for supervising the operations of plan review and inspections related to development projects submitted for Building Permits and Planning approval. Duties and assignments include working with developers and contractors, coordinating with Building Division staff, supervising PIPR staff, performing and supervising site inspections, supervising permit plan review, and attending Division meetings.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
The ideal candidate will have experience in design, the creation of construction documents, knowledge of construction types, construction materials and processes and experience in construction inspection. The candidate will have the ability to demonstrate excellence in leading or managing others and critical thinking for problem solving. They will have the ability to work with customers to resolve complex issues. Possessing education or training in structural, mechanical, and electrical systems and having a professional license is desirable.

Under general direction, the Senior Architect participates in the creation of architectural designs of City buildings and related projects, including alterations and repairs; develops plans; inspects sites and assists in problem resolution; prepares and reviews reports and other technical materials; performs management of projects in major buildings and groups of buildings, and related site development; and reviews public or private building designs.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This advanced journey-level classification is populated with multiple incumbents. The Senior Architect supervises a project team consisting of professional and technical personnel, and manages major construction projects. Incumbents may also supervise professional and technical personnel on a team or project basis. Incumbents must possess a high degree of technical expertise and exercise considerable professional judgment and independence, referring only unusual or highly complex problems. The Senior Architect is distinguished from the classification of Associate Architect in that the latter works under general supervision. The Senior Architect classification is distinguished from the classification of Supervising Architect in that the latter is responsible for managing several teams of staff engaged in architectural and engineering duties for complex programs for the City, and participates in the development of goals, objectives, and policies for the administration of these programs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General direction is provided by higher level licensed professional staff. Incumbents may oversee a project team consisting of professional and technical staff assigned to a project. Responsibilities may include direct or technical supervision of lower level personnel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform related duties as needed:

• Supervises and participates in the work of architectural staff engaged in preparing drawings and specifications for new construction, remodeling, and renovation of City buildings and structures; checks computations and specified materials for accuracy and conformance with regulations and specifications; and prepares periodic project status reports, technical reports, comments, and recommendations.
• Inspects project sites to assist in the solution of difficult problems; and interprets specifications and City policy and makes change orders.
• Checks private building plans for compliance with City building codes, ordinances and standard specifications.
• Coordinates activities between contractors and contract architects in preliminary cost estimation, plan, design, and construction phases; and provides architectural supervision and field inspection to assure compliance with contract documents.
• Assists in the preparation and administration of the budget.
• Coordinates and analyzes construction program procedures, project budgets and estimates, funding levels, commitments, and expenditures, and makes recommendations on appropriate changes.
• Participates in the selection and management of consulting architects for the development of plans, specifications, studies, and reports; and reviews plans for construction prepared by private engineers and technical subordinates.
• Supervises, trains, and evaluates professional and technical subordinates.
• Within City guidelines, recommends and selects contractors and oversees contractor work.
• Oversees the development of plans and estimates for construction and repair of public works systems.
• Oversees and participates in the preparation of special architectural studies and reports.
• Serves as staff to a variety of City commissions, boards, and committees on various design matters; and coordinates architecture-related activities with other City departments, divisions, and sections and with outside agencies.
• Provides technical advice and assistance to City staff.
• Performs other or related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of architecture.
• Modern methods and techniques used in planning and designing municipal and private buildings.
• Basic structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering principles.
• Strength properties and uses of building construction materials.
• Applicable policies, regulations, laws and codes relevant to the design and construction of municipal and private buildings.
• Principles of supervision and training.

Skill in:

• Use of computers, computer applications, and software.
• Use of computer-aided design programs.

Ability to:

• Perform advanced architectural design, prepare complex and accurate plans and specifications, and review and check the preparation of architectural plans and studies.
• Present architectural plans and information clearly and effectively in pictorial and written form.
• Use a variety of drafting apparatus.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.
• Plan, assign, train, and supervise the work of a diverse staff in the accomplishment of architectural projects and programs.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

Four years of professional-level architectural experience.

Education:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Architecture.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment. Loss of the Class C License is cause for discipline. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Certification:

Possession of a Certificate of Registration as a professional architect in the State of California.

PROOF OF CERTIFICATION

Proof of the required certificate and/or license should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE

Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline ;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
  • If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
• Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
• Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment.
• Proof of certification and/or license should be submitted online with your application. Proof of certification and/or license will be required at time of appointment.

2. Supplemental Questionnaire: (Pass/Fail) - In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, all applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire to the City of Sacramento Employment Office by the final filing deadline ;

• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire must be submitted online; paper questionnaire will not be accepted.
• Incomplete supplemental questionnaire will not pass the review process; omitted information cannot be considered or assumed.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the supplemental questionnaire.
• Possession of the minimum qualifications is not necessarily a guarantee for further advancement in the selection process.

3. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail) - All applications received by the final filing deadline will be forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.

4. Interview Process: Human Resources will forward applications to the hiring department. Those determined to be the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process.

5. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan/fingerprinting. If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.

QUESTIONS:
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
• For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Application Support at 855-524-5627.
• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment ;
• Send an email to [email protected] ; or
• Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information

Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf

Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html

Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf

Closing Date/Time: 4/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$105,554.56 - $148,525.87 Annually