Occ. Code 4801100

JUNIOR ARCHITECT, GRADE 15

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

NATURE OF WORK

Junior Architects assist higher level architects by performing professional architectural work of limited scope in the planning and design of buildings and facilities while broadening their knowledge and enhancing their professional skills.

Most Junior Architect positions are located in the Office of General Services.

CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA AND DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Junior Architect is the entry level non‑supervisory class in the Architect series which works under the close supervision of higher level architects. Typically, a Junior Architect has acquired the technical skills and techniques of the field of architecture, but lacking practical experience, is assigned to projects which provide the employee with the experience and knowledge that will provide development for architectural work of a higher level. As experience is gained, the Junior Architect may be given full responsibility for small projects in terms of such factors as size, cost, coordinating the mechanical and electrical elements and design requirements or, as a member of the team, a phase of a larger project. Characteristically, such assignments offer limited opportunity for the exercise of judgment or of marked originality, and represent recurring work assignments involving the application of conventional architectural techniques.

Other classes providing specialized engineering service in the design or redesign of specific building construction and mechanical features are included in the Building Electrical Engineering series, the Building Structural Engineering series, the Building Construction Engineering series, the Mechanical Engineering series, the Heating and Ventilating Engineering series and the Plumbing Engineering series. Positions comparable to Junior Architect in level of activity performed are classified as Junior Engineer which, when assigned to one of the engineering specialties, assist higher level engineers in the design, redesign and review of work within the specialty while receiving training preparatory to higher level assignments.

A Junior Architectural Specification Writer writes architectural specifications for the construction, extension, alteration, remodeling and maintenance of buildings and structures. Following specific instructions and working under close supervision, they may be assigned partial responsibility for large building projects or for a complete small building project. This is an entry level class in this series incumbents of which perform productive assignments while receiving training in the techniques and methods of specification writing.

A Junior Architectural Estimator makes computations as to the cost of work from unit cost data supplied by higher ranking estimators. Incumbents work under specific instructions and close supervision and receive assignments designed to give training and experience in the procedures and methods employed in the preparation of cost estimates.

Junior Landscape Architect is the entry level class in the Landscape Architect Series in which an incumbent prepares landscape designs and plantings, plans for small and standard projects and otherwise assists higher level landscape architects in the design, selection of materials, and estimation of costs of landscaping for highways, buildings, parks and housing developments.

Principal Drafting Technicians (Architectural) are top level technicians in the Drafting Technician series who make and review drawings and working plans for assigned portions of building projects, working from rough sketches, oral instructions and field notes.

TYPICAL ACTIVITIES, TASKS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Prepares preliminary architectural drawings following the client's statement of requirements which indicates the nature and scope of the project.

- Receives assignment for a project with instructions indicating the intent of the project and other details concerning the client's requirements.

- Meets with representatives of the client agency to clarify the intent and to obtain additional information on the project.

- Reviews existing building plans on file to obtain drawings of subject property or of any completed projects with similar architectural problems.

- Inspects project site to make sketches, take measurements and photographs, and otherwise document actual site conditions to aid in developing the final architectural design solution and prepares factual written reports of findings.

- Confers with mechanical, structural and electrical engineering specialists as well as with specification writers and estimators concerned with the project, to set both the project scope and requirements and to schedule and otherwise coordinate such support activities.

- Based on findings, appraises nature and scope of project in terms of any apparent problems or conflicts if any, and recommends architectural solutions to achieve client's needs to the section chief or Project Manager.

- Prepares recommendations to client after approval by a higher level Architect indicating acceptability of proposed scope, or of any scope changes required to complete the project within prescribed time, budget, design or engineering considerations.

- Computes probable cost and construction time required based on estimates of quantities of materials and labor required, experience on past projects, and on knowledge of the current building market.

- Based on agreement prepares preliminary drawings where necessary, showing general characteristics of the structure and of proposed design solutions, as well as preliminary cost estimates to complete the project for approval by the supervisor and by the client.

Prepares working drawings translating project scope into plans, elevations, sections and details showing design, location and dimensions of various elements of the structure.

- Following the client's statement of requirements, preliminary drawings and other relevant documents, applies standard architectural techniques in preparing working drawings of the project.

- Confers with supervisor, or refers to appropriate publications to insure that the design complies with codes.

- Reviews drawings with the supervisor for approval of the design elements.

- Provides drawings, supporting documents and all necessary information on the project to appropriate engineering specialists as well as to specification writers and estimators providing necessary specialized services to the building project.

- Schedules and otherwise coordinates the work of specialists contributing to the project to insure their work is completed on schedule, that it meets the project objectives, and that it is compatible with the construction design.

During the construction stages of the project, reviews change order requests involving revisions to the architectural plan.

- Evaluates requests and provides architectural advice and guidance in connection with proposed changes. Recommends appropriate action and change orders to implement any changes in the plans.

- Reviews contractor shop drawing submissions.

- May periodically inspect project to resolve problems concerning compliance with drawings and specifications.

May attend the final inspection of the project after completion, with the engineer in charge and the client representative, to insure full compliance with drawings and specifications.

- Prepares written reports of the inspection indicating any modifications and corrections required before final acceptance of the project.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

These activities require frequent oral and written communications with a variety of people. Within the agency, incumbents attend meetings held by the supervisor for the purpose of receiving information on projects or instructions on assignments. In turn the Junior Architect provides technical guidance and advice in oral, written and graphic form, to professional employees designated to provide specialized engineering, specification, estimation, and related services to the architectural project. Such relationships involve frequent person to person contact for the purpose of scheduling and coordinating the various inputs prepared by the specialist, and providing information on the nature and scope of the project as specified by the client. A Junior Architect will also have oral and written relationships with client representatives, project sponsors, and others assigned to the project in identifying and resolving architectural problems related to the project, and providing technical advice and guidance as needed.

Field trips are made independently or in the company of a higher level architect, engineer, or client representative for the purposes of taking measurements and obtaining firsthand observation of the project, and as required, to conduct compliance inspections during all phases of construction.

NATURE OF SUPERVISION

Employees in this class normally do not supervise other positions. Junior Architects are supervised by higher level architectural positions, usually an Associate Architect. However, Assistant and Senior Architects may provide technical supervision to incumbents on a project basis.

Assignments made by the supervisor are usually of a recurring nature and are generally of a lower level of difficulty. On new assignments, specific instructions are given and additional instructions may be given as the work proceeds. Such work may be checked in progress and is reviewed upon completion.

Although there are many guides and standard specifications in the architectural field, the architect must exercise judgment regarding the applicability of such guides to the particular circumstances at hand.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

- Working knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of architecture.

- Working knowledge of building materials, their function and physical properties, and construction methods.

- Basic knowledge of structural, electrical, and mechanical engineering as related to buildings.

- Basic knowledge of applicable codes, laws, rules and standards regulating the design and construction of buildings.

- Basic knowledge of building costs.

- Ability to creatively portray architectural elements as a complete design.

- Ability to express ideas effectively both orally and in writing.

- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with clients and technical experts.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree in architecture.

Reviewed:  10/04

NOTE:  Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.