Occ. Code 4905110

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS WRITER 1 (ARCHITECTURAL), GRADE 23	4905110
CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS WRITER 1 (MECHANICAL), GRADE 23	4905120
CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS WRITER 1 (STRUCTURAL), GRADE 23	4905130
CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS WRITER 2 (ARCHITECTURAL), GRADE 27	4905210

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

Construction Specifications Writers develop, write, and review specifications for the construction, extension, alteration, remodeling, and maintenance of buildings and large structures including bridges; or for heating and ventilating, plumbing, refrigeration, sprinkler system, and air conditioning equipment. All specifications are reviewed by engineers or architects for completeness and to coordinate the specifications with the design phase of construction.

Incumbents analyze the end-use functions of the structure from drawings, determine to a limited extent the effect of structural, esthetic, and functional changes, and consider the availability and cost limitations and selection of materials and equipment, determine the items to be covered by the specifications and requirements of each item, search all sources of specifications, locate commercial products, make technical determinations as to substitutes or modifications where specific commercial products are not available, and delineate in descriptive form the items to be used or applied.

These positions are classified in the Office of General Services and the Department of Transportation.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS WRITER 1 (VARIOUS PARENTHETICS): performance level; under the general direction of a Construction Specifications Writer 2 or other higher level staff, independently develops, writes or reviews specifications in connection with building and bridge construction and rehabilitation projects.

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS WRITER 2 (VARIOUS PARENTHETICS): supervisory level; under the general direction of higher level staff, supervises two or more Construction Specifications Writers 1 and other staff engaged in specifications writing; and develops and writes specifications of major and diversified building and bridge construction and rehabilitation projects. At this level, specifications involve many different types of materials and a variety of construction complications due to architectural or structural design.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS WRITER 1 (VARIOUS PARENTHETICS)

· Study architectural and engineering plans and write complete specifications, including choosing between alternative materials, processes, and equipment.

· Integrate portions of specifications prepared by others for building and bridge construction and rehabilitation projects, and make recommendations as to their efficiency and adequacy.

· Confer with engineers, architects, and estimators on modifications or substitutes for material and equipment and to coordinate the specification work.

· Investigate failures or deficient performance of specifications or materials to determine the cause, recommend remedial action and modify specifications to avoid future problems.

· May prepare and review bidding and contract requirements for various types of building and bridge construction and rehabilitation projects.

· May coordinate and review the work of lower level staff working on projects under their direction.

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS WRITER 2 (VARIOUS PARENTHETICS)

· Perform all of the duties and responsibilities of a Construction Specification Writer 1.

· Supervise the preparation of specifications in connection with building and bridge construction and rehabilitation projects, checking the work in progress and upon completion for accuracy and completeness.

· Develop and write the more complex and technical specifications.

· Develop and revise specifications, notifying prospective bidders of all changes in specifications prior to the closing date for bidding.

· Perform the full range of supervisory duties including identifying staff development needs, evaluating staff performance, and completing performance evaluations for subordinate staff.

Construction Specifications Writers perform a wide variety of duties. Construction Specifications Writer parenthetics are classified when the majority of a positions duties and responsibilities emphasize a particular specialty.

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS WRITER 1 AND 2 (ARCHITECTURAL): Incumbents develop, write, and review architectural specifications for building construction and rehabilitation projects covering the composition, finish, qualities of materials, the construction methods to be used, and the manner and method of manufacture, installation, and finish of architectural work.

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS WRITER 1 (MECHANICAL): Incumbents develop, write, and review specifications for heating, ventilating, plumbing, refrigeration, and sprinkler systems in building construction and rehabilitation projects.

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS WRITER 1 (STRUCTURAL): Incumbents develop, write, and review specifications for bridge construction and rehabilitation projects covering the composition, finish, qualities of materials, the construction methods to be used, and the manner and method of manufacture, installation, and finish of structural work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS WRITER 1 (ARCHITECTURAL)

Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service in any architectural or engineering title allocated to Grade 20.

Open Competitive: four years of experience in the preparation of architectural specifications, and four additional years of experience in any combination of the following: (a) assisting in architectural and engineering work; or (b) college study in architecture or engineering; or (c) technical institute or two-year college study in applied science in a curriculum such as construction technology or pre-engineering.

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS WRITER 2 (ARCHITECTURAL)

Promotion: one year permanent competitive service as a Construction Specifications Writer 1 (Architectural).

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS WRITER 1 (MECHANICAL)

Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service in any architectural or engineering title allocated to Grade 20.

Open Competitive: four years of experience in the preparation of mechanical specifications, and four additional years of experience in any combination of the following: (a) assisting in mechanical engineering or construction; or (b) college study in mechanical engineering; or (c) technical institute or two-year college study in applied science in a curriculum such as construction, highway technology, or pre-engineering.

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS WRITER 1 (STRUCTURAL)

Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service in any engineering title allocated to Grade 20.

Open Competitive: four years of experience in the preparation of structural specifications, and four additional years of experience in any combination of the following: (a) assisting in structural engineering; or (b) college study in civil engineering; or (c) technical institute or two-year college study in applied science in a curriculum such as construction technology or pre-engineering.

Date: 6/17

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.