Architect

Classified Title: Architect 
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PF 
Starting Salary Range: Commensurate with Experience
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: M-F 7.5 
Exempt Status: Exempt ​​​​​​​ 
Location: 45-MD:JH at Keswick 
Department name: 10001607-Planning & Architecture 
Personnel area: University Administration

Introduction

Under supervision of the Director of Planning and Architecture unit of Johns Hopkins Facilities & Real Estate (JHFRE), the Architect is responsible for oversight and guidance of campus, building, and space planning and design efforts for the university, for contributing to and updating JHU Guidelines and Standards for buildings, interior fit outs, landscape design, and campus development.  The Architect is also responsible for review of work by outside consultants to ensure conformance with the intended program, project scope and budget, adherence to JHU Guidelines and Standards, industry best practices, and design compatibility/respect for the JHU Homewood Campus, or a variety of other locations including the East Baltimore campus, the Peabody campus, and properties in Downtown Baltimore, Washington DC, Montgomery County, and international locations.  Project size and scope includes aesthetic guidance of renewal projects, feasibility studies, interior fit outs, existing facility renovations and additions, new construction, and long range precinct and campus land use plans.

General Summary

The Architect will serve as an in-house authority on planning efforts and architectural design solutions (aesthetics, materials, systems, products, etc.) for university Real Estate, Plant Operations and Design & Construction units, division representatives, other stakeholders, and with outside consultants to ensure design and construction work conforms to university standards and sound architectural practice.  Responsibilities include project management of feasibility studies and conceptual design for exploration/validation of a project for presentation to Trustees, leadership and guidance for procurement of design consultants; advisory participation throughout the planning and design process; owner review of programming, planning, design and construction documents prepared for the university by outside consultants; participation in construction oversight for adherence to design intent and industry best practices; and development of policies, procedures, standards and process improvements.  The Architect will work directly with the JHFRE/Design & Construction department's project managers who are responsible for overall project management of projects authorized for continuance into design and construction. 

University project clients include a broad constituency of JHU Deans, Department Chairs, Faculty, Researchers, Senior Administrators, and Trustees. 

The Architect will collaborate with other internal architects and engineers to provide comprehensive oversight of planning, design, and construction projects.

The Architect will initiate, execute, and/or oversee programming and planning efforts in support of Capital Plan development and implementation, as well as strategic campus plan development and implementation in support of overall campus development (i.e. storm water management master plan, maintenance investments, accessibility planning, sustainability initiatives for campus, space utilization, space standards, classroom design, laboratory design, etc.).  

From time to time, where the utilization of internal resources is merited due to the nature and scope of the assignment, the Architect will undertake and execute design, construction documents, and construction administration efforts for projects that do not require review, approval and permitting with the municipal Authorities Having Jurisdiction.

Essential Job Functions

• With the supervision and support of the Director of Planning & Architecture, determine if renovations, space reconfiguration, or repurposing assignments requested by a client will require permitting through the municipal Authorities Having Jurisdiction and whether or not a licensed and insured professional design and/or engineering consultant is required.
• With the support of the Director of Plant Operations, review existing facilities conditions assessments reports to determine adequacy of existing facilities to support a client’s requests, including life expectancy of critical building systems.  Evaluate the need for further exploration by outside consultants such as MEP/FP engineers or envelope forensics specialists.
• Perform technical analyses of existing building architectural systems to inform recommendations regarding design, functionality, performance, and universal accessibility.  Evaluate capability of space to support a proposed use, landscape design, and site work.
• As an ongoing responsibility, work with JHU stakeholders, JHFRE/Design and Construction, Real Estate, Plant Operations, fellow P&A staff and external consultants or experts as required to contribute to and update JHU Guidelines and Standards.
• Participate and provide guidance in design and construction progress meetings with JHFRE consultants to assure adherence to intended scope of work, budget, industry best practices, and JHU Guidelines and Standards, as well as JHU policies, aesthetic appropriateness within the campus context, and alignment with the approved Capital Plan.
• Provide owner’s review of consultant’s design and construction documents.  Working with the D&C PM, provide owner’s review of submittals, including processing paperwork through PMWeb, throughout the CA phase for key design elements important to the mission of the work.
• Interface with JHFRE/Plant Operations personnel in recommending the most appropriate design solutions, addressing durability, financial sustainability, and architectural appropriateness.
• Review construction work progress on construction sites for compliance with design intent, adherence with JHU Guidelines and Standards, and industry best practices.  Assist D&C PM when required with resolving discrepancies and disputes that arise during the construction process.
• Work with the Director of Planning & Architecture, Director of Design & Construction, and D&C project managers to continually critique and improve JHFRE design and delivery process efficiencies.
• Serve as liaison to JHFRE/Information Systems and advise on development of project and building information management systems (i.e. PMWeb, GIS, COBie/BIM, EDM for digital archive, Archibus, etc.).
• Work with the senior leadership, divisional representatives, JHFRE/Plant Operations, and government officials to guide and oversee the development and implementation of campus-based planning initiatives.
• Work with the JHFRE/ Sustainability and university constituents to champion progress on the university's sustainability initiatives with respect to Capital Plan development and assets.
• Participate in other planning and design related tasks and initiatives of strategic importance to the university as well as related data gathering and analysis, research, presentation preparation, facility surveys, and other ad hoc efforts as assigned by the Director of Planning & Architecture.
• On a limited basis, for projects that may be classified as deferred maintenance, cosmetic upgrades, or minor interior reconfigurations; and do not require professional seals or acquisition of permits by the Authority Having Jurisdiction, provide complete design services including programming, planning, schematic design, design development, construction documents, furniture specifications, bid, and construction administration phase services.
• Contract and coordinate with civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, landscape, technology and other design and engineering disciplines as required.

Targeted Job Functions (as assigned)

• Work with the Office of Institutional Equity to identify, prioritize, and implement ongoing accessibility improvement projects.
• Manage ongoing stormwater management master plan implementation, tracking, and reporting.
• Assist the Director of Planning and Architecture with organization and distribution of correspondence by the Space Allocation Committee including tracking space utilization and needs, facilitating meetings, preparing or securing consultants to perform space studies, and reporting.
• Interface with the University Space System Administrator to ensure space changes are being accurately tracked in Archibus so as to providing an always current inventory of all JHU owned or leased assets.

Scope of Responsibility

• Manage, participate, guide and review planning efforts in support of the university’s Capital Plan.
• Interface with University Leadership and Departmental Leadership to define needs and scope of feasibility studies.
• Provide high level space planning “test fits” for a variety of academic, laboratory, administration, and student spaces to evaluate feasibility of proposed locations; evaluate scope for appropriateness of use of JHFRE in house resources, or design consultant.
• Prepare RFP’s for feasibility/concept design proposals.  Participate in selection of firms to be offered the RFP.
• Participate in interview/selection process for design consultant.  Lead contracting process with selected consultant.
• Provide oversight for design consultants during the feasibility study/concept design process; operate as the day to day, single point of contact between design consultant and JHFRE.
• Coordinate with JHFRE D&C, including cost estimating and hand off to D&C once project is approved to move forward.
• Attend design presentations, product reviews, mock up reviews as the university’s authority regarding aesthetics and compliance with project design goals and intent, and JHU Guidelines and Standards.
• Perform existing conditions surveys, existing FFE inventory, programming, planning, design, and documentation responsibilities for small projects within the JHU institution not requiring professional seals or permitting by the AHJ.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and updating of JHU Guidelines and Standards.

Decision Making

• Prepares information for decision making by JHU Senior Leadership and Trustees.
• Provides critique and direction to JHFRE project managers, consultant design teams, Plant Operations and other JHU constituents on architectural design materials, furniture, systems, solutions and standards in support of sound economic and architectural design principles.
• Carries out duties and responsibilities with limited supervision.  Makes decisions and establishes work priorities on complex, problem-solving operations.

Authority

• This position is not directly responsible for supervision of other staff.

Communication

• Exchanges routine and non-routine information with all levels within the JHU organization, including Senior Leadership, JHFRE Leadership, colleagues, and staff.  Corresponds with individuals at peer institutions and vendors using effective oral and written communication skills, tact, and persuasion as appropriate.
• Builds camaraderie and alliances with a wide range of JHU constituents, and has a collaborative, inclusive, mentoring style of working well with others.
• Possesses the ability to communicate graphically through sketching, drafting and marking up drawings.

Education, Licensing, and Certifications

• Bachelors and/or Master’s degree in Architecture.
• Professional Architect license in the State of Maryland or a state with reciprocity; or ability to successfully complete professional registration within one year of hire.
• LEED Accredited Professional preferred.

Experience

• Successful candidates will have at least ten years’ experience in architectural planning and design work; experience with construction and renovation of a broad variety of building types, mechanical and electrical systems, and construction delivery methods; the ability to use MS Office, AutoCAD and Revit, and a thorough understanding of architectural and engineering drawings.
• Use of 3D database software (BIM), Google SketchUp, PhotoShop, and other graphics programs is desired.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to foster a collaborative, inclusive, collegial, and consensus-building relationship with colleagues based on competence, trust, and respect.
• Superior written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present complex material in a useful and understandable fashion to diverse audiences.
• Strategic thinker with proven analytical and organizational skills.
• Committed to the mission of the University, customer service, and best practices in planning, design, and construction.
• Knowledge of building systems, control systems, operating environments, and commissioning processes.
• Knowledge of building interior systems and performance of finishes in commercial environments.
• Knowledge of the furniture industry including specification, sourcing, installation, and maintenance.
• Knowledge and experience with developing accurate project cost budgets and cost impact reports.
• Ability to build comprehensive reports for data within spreadsheet and database systems.
• Ability to produce accurate, timely delivery of complex materials.
• Flexibility to work with last minute changes.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time.
• Ability to climb ladders, move around construction sites, and navigate tight spaces typically found in mechanical, electrical, and utility rooms.
• Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.
• Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hands(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard.
• Communication skills using spoken and written word.
• Ability to see within normal parameters.
• Ability to hear within normal range.
• Ability to move about.

This description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis.  It does not exclude other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at [email protected]. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work.  Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

During the Influenza ("the flu") season, as a condition of employment, The Johns Hopkins Institutions require all employees who provide ongoing services to patients or work in patient care or clinical care areas to have an annual influenza vaccination or possess an approved medical or religious exception. Failure to meet this requirement may result in termination of employment.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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