Occ. Code 4801200

 

ASSISTANT ARCHITECT, GRADE 20

 

New York State Department of Civil Service

 

Classification Standard

 

NATURE OF WORK

 

            Assistant Architects perform professional architectural work in planning and design for the creation, construction, alteration, rehabilitation or restoration of buildings and facilities.  Assistant Architects may also perform technical reviews of consultants’ drawings and related details for such factors as compliance with appropriate codes, laws, regulations, and standards; for functional design features; and for cost.  Incumbents schedule and otherwise coordinate the activities of engineers, specification writers, estimators and other occupations providing specialized services to their architectural projects.  An Assistant Architect may consult with clients or sponsors in providing technical assistance, advice and guidance on architectural and related matters concerning the program, design, and construction stages of a project.

 

            Most Assistant Architect positions are located in the Design and Construction Group of the Office of General Services. 

 

CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA AND DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

 

            Assistant Architects work with considerable independence on conventional projects, or on larger projects, involving a number of architects incumbents are assigned segments of a project.  Typically, an Assistant Architect is a non-supervisory class; however, incumbents may provide technical direction, as a  lead worker, to drafting and subordinate architectural positions assigned to assist on a project.

 

            Senior Architect, as distinguished from Assistant Architect, performs the full range of professional architectural activities involving large projects in terms of functional requirements, structure, mechanical elements and cost.  In certain agencies Senior Architects specialize in the architectural review of consultants’ work for such factors as costs, design features, and conformity with applicable codes and standards.  In such assignments, incumbents provide technical advice and consultation to project sponsors and their architects concerning the feasibility and acceptability of project plans, and may recommend architectural improvements to the project plans.  Senior Architects must possess a Professional Architect’s license issued by the State of New York.

 

            Other classes providing specialized engineering services in the design or re-design 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 Ventilation Engineering series and the Plumbing Engineering series.

 

            A Landscape Architect prepares landscape site plans for State buildings or for roadside development in connection with highway construction, or supervises the landscaping of very large State parks.

 

            An Assistant Architectural Specification Writer writes architectural specifications covering the composition, finish, quantities of materials, and the manner and method of manufacture, installation, and finish of architectural work for portions of large building projects or complete small projects.

 

            An Assistant Architectural Estimator makes detailed cost estimates in connection with building construction projects including but not limited to the quantities of labor and materials, costs of construction per cubic foot for various types of buildings, and checks for accuracy and conformity to specifications and such factors as quantities and cost estimates prepared by contractors.  Estimators at this level prepare cost estimates for buildings of traditional design, using conventional building materials, with few construction complications.

 

TYPICAL ACTIVITIES, TASKS AND ASSIGNMENTS

 

            The following activities are described in greater detail in the Classification Standard for Junior Architect, Grade 15, Occ. Code 4801100.  However, the activities at the Assistant Architect level are characterized by a greater degree of work independence and the performance of a broader scope of architectural activities.

 

Prepares preliminary architectural drawings, when required, following the client’s statement of requirements which indicates the nature and scope of the project.

 

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

 

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

 

An Assistant Architect on a specific project responsible for the technical supervision of drafting and Junior Architect positions perform the following tasks:

 

·      Assigns work and provides staff with documents and drawings covering the architectural requirements of the project as it relates to the assignment.

 

·      Prepares working drawing format and construction details and recommends appropriate technical approach to achieve the architectural requirements of the project.

 

·      Assists staff in solving architectural problems related to the assignment.

 

·      Reviews completed work to insure technical accuracy, compliance to appropriate building codes and instructions, and that the work is completed on schedule.

 

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 the projects or instructions on assignments.  In turn the Assistant Architect provides planning service, technical guidance and advice in oral, written and graphic form to the client and 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 specialists, and providing technical information advice and guidance on the nature and scope of the project as specified by the client.  An Assistant Architect will also have oral and written relationships with project sponsor representatives 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 higher level architects, engineers, or client representatives for the purpose of taking measurements and obtaining firsthand observations of the project, and to conduct compliance inspections during all phases of construction.                   

 

NATURE OF SUPERVISION

 

            Assistant Architects normally do not supervise other positions; however, incumbents may provide technical direction to drafting and subordinate architectural positions assigned to assist on a project.

 

            Assistant Architects are supervised by higher level Architects usually an Associate or Senior Architect who provide technical direction to incumbents on a project basis.  Employees at this level work with considerable independence.  Their work may be observed for progress to allow coordination with other related activities, and the final project is reviewed to insure accuracy, completeness and compliance with instructions.

 

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

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

 

·      Working knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of architecture and of developments in the field.

 

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

 

·      Working knowledge of applicable codes, laws, rules and standards regulating the design and construction of buildings.

 

·      Working knowledge of building costs.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

As assigned:

 

·      Ability to provide technical direction to a team of subordinate architectural and drafting personnel.

 

·      Ability to identify architectural elements in building designs for conformance with applicable standards, policies and program objectives, and for compliance with design requirements and with acceptable architectural practice.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

            One year of permanent service as a Junior Architect or as a Principal Drafting Technician.      

 

 

 

 Reviewed:  3/03

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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