Job Description

POSITION: 7503

POSITION ID: Staff Architect, Planner

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Seeking a multi-talented individual to provide design/planning and project management support for institutional projects, renovations and planning initiatives which are undertaken to improve the campus environment. Assist with the programming and planning process of projects as needed including: defining program requirements, reviewing development of design and construction documents by consultants, creating initial project scopes and project budgets for potential projects, and coordinating communication with internal constituencies, consultants, and vendors. Facilitate collaboration between the offices of business and finance, facilities services, sustainability, campus services and environmental health and safety, academic and administrative departments, and outside consultants to ensure efficient project development in support of overall campus master plan initiatives. The ability to manage smaller assigned design and construction projects; support the goals and objectives of the project. Serve as the project liaison from inception to close-out and be able to define and manage the project scope, budget, schedule, and administer the contract documents prepared by design professionals. Note: duties will vary among planning, design and management depending on university needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Planning: Support and/or lead as needed the design, development, and detailed planning of programs and plans for construction and renovation of university facilities, signage and landscaped space working with the director and assistant director. Develop and prepare proposals for projects, and for the execution of contracts and monitoring of invoices throughout all phases of design and planning projects. Represent the university in matters related to design, planning and alteration of university facilities. Provide guidance and counsel to departments or organizations for program development. Help develop clear definition and statement of needs in such a way as to maximize efficiency of space, while meeting or exceeding departmental requirements. Have the proper graphic ability to communicate ideas and general planning concepts. (30%)

Design: supervise and instruct architects and engineers hired by the university to facilitate design as per the director and project documentation to ensure the needs of the university are met. Reinforce established master plan initiatives are implemented, and that cost and scheduling goals are not exceeded. Assist in maintaining a consistent level of quality in all designs and in construction materials, methods and techniques, appropriate to each building and its use. When required, with the project manager assigned to each project, develop project schedule, budget, program, signage program, security plan, etc., and communicate with appropriate parties to assure timely and accurate completion of tasks. Interface and coordinate planning and design activities with the sponsor school or department, the project manager, consultants, the construction manager and other external parties during all phases of project planning. Assist in the development and coordination of specifications, university standards and contract documents by consultants for all construction activity on campus. Review assigned projects as they are developed to monitor adherence to established design concept, building codes, university planning standards. (30%)

Project Management: To the extent assigned, develop the scope, assist in the planning, manage the designer, and administer the construction process for projects simultaneously each ranging in size from $25,000 to $500,000. Facilitate pre-bid presentations, walk-throughs, and planning meetings in coordination with the design professionals and all prospective bidders. Answer contractor questions, or seek answers to questions with appropriate individuals, and communicate these answers in writing. Seek competitive pricing and price reasonableness for all services. Receive and evaluate bids in conjunction with the director. Coordinate contract execution with the director and the office of business and finance. Communicate status of project award to bidders as appropriate. Facilitate early project document review by related departments prior and during construction as required to ensure compliance with university standards and safety requirements. Responsible for ongoing progress and status reports, both financial and narrative reports for management and director. Oversee the construction process to confirm compliance with contract documents, university requirements, and construction schedules. Coordinate activities with adjacent areas and organizations, and to minimize disruptions to university operations and safety associated with project. Verify the existence of a written and when required site specific contractor safety program. Coordinate with the university's environmental health and safety department and with appropriate outside agencies to coordinate preconstruction surveys or respond when unforeseen hazardous materials are discovered on a construction site. Arrange for and coordinate the investigation and removal of hazardous materials and see that work resumes in as timely a manner. As changes to the work become necessary including changes in scope, schedule or budget, identify impact and communicate all relevant information to the director, end users, affected parties, facilities services and appropriate departments, and members of the design and construction teams. Coordinate utility shutdowns and other construction project disruptions of university services with facilities services and appropriate departments. This will require research and communication within the campus community to anticipate user needs and planned disruptions of ongoing operations. Observe the building system tests or specific tests on component elements. Arrange for the participation of other campus staff as appropriate including facilities and/or facility managers, and end users. Accompany architects, engineers and any review agencies including insurance, local government officials and inspectors during construction site inspections. Work with the project design team and contractor to resolve any issues. Review and approve all applications for payment and invoices. Verification of the application for payment shall be reviewed in comparison to the contract documents. Ensure cost charged to the university is fair and reasonable. Assure all work billed has been completed. Verify that materials have been delivered to the university and installed as part of the work. Ensure applications for payment have been reviewed by the design professional in a timely manner including all lien releases. Ensure that during the project and at completion user department(s), including facilities services, environmental health and safety, its, and campus services departments are familiar with the work so that they may be able to use and maintain the project. Process all closeout documentation. (35%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Participate as a member of the planning, design and construction team to enhance services to the university community and support existing operations and critical facilities. To that end, participate in meetings as required with facility managers, planning committees, deans, directors and finance of the various schools, departments, and programs. Assist facilities services and campus services departments with projects that are jointly managed by two departments assist the university and all other departmental groups in other work efforts, which become necessary to create and maintain facilities and integrated campus environment, which supports the university vision and mission. . Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)

CONTACTS
Department: Daily contact with the director, assistant director and project managers.

University: Daily contact with facilities managers within each college and school and facilities services staff. Contact with academic and administrative faculty and/or staff as required by each project.

External: Daily contact with architects, engineers, constructions managers, and consultants. Periodic contact with government officials representing the city and county. Minor contact with University Circle Inc. and University Circle institutions.

Students: Contact with students as needed for specific project planning.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
No direct supervision of staff employees.

QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 8 to 10 years of full-time professional practice in architecture or engineering required.

Education: Professional degree and/or Master's degree in architecture or engineering required. Additional coursework in urban design and planning, facility planning and programming, contract law, interior design, engineering preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS
Experience with all aspects of project planning and design required, including; programming, planning, design and space planning, construction document preparation, project management, construction administration. Experience in working with user groups and community groups is essential. Project management or construction management experience required, preferably in a multi-building, multi-disciplinary environment (university, city planning). Design of technology-enhanced instructional space required. Knowledge of lab planning and design is desirable.Working knowledge of all aspects of the design and construction process including engineering, site design, building codes and related approval processes, construction documents, specifications and contract development, project delivery methods, project scheduling and cost estimating methodologies. Strong leadership, organizational and management skills to effectively direct and coordinate a large number of diverse projects in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. Ability to establish and balance priorities of all users with those of the university's long-range plans and financial realities.Strong interpersonal skills: Maturity and sound judgment to interface with faculty and administrative leadership within the university and with entities external to the university.Ability to collaborate and build strong project team participation in management of design process with consultant teams and university staff, and overall project management. Excellent programming and analytical skills;Strong graphic skills: Ability to produce, direct and critique drawings and presentations used to communicate design concepts and details. Ability to assemble materials for presentations to University groups and to outside community groups, government agencies, donors. Proficient at using Auto CAD to access and update existing drawing files, operate a digital space management system and to interface effectively with all A/E consultants; Ability to read drawings and to explain content of drawings to others who are not experienced in the use of building plans and documentation. Experience with Revit is helpful but not required. Ability to develop and coordinate graphics for presentations to all constituents in the form of printed documents, projected or digitally transmitted images. Must be proficient in use of planning software applications, including Excel, Access, PowerPoint.Experience in basic project cost estimating, programming, design, and planning of construction project phases, coordinating plan reviews, verifying that projects are in compliance with the campus design standards and relevant building codes. Travel as required to investigate methods, material, and equipment for future use or to expedite jobs. Must be physically capable to perform frequent inspections of all areas of constructions sites. This position required frequent standing and walking, and some benching, crouching and climbing. The employee may be asked to work extended hours and respond to emergency calls.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT
In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

REASONABLE ACCOMODATIONS
Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity at 216-368-8877 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

NOTE
CWRU offers a flexible benefits package including tuition waiver for employees and dependents; Respond in confidence, including salary history : CASE WESTERNRESERVE UNIVERSITY, Human Resources Job Code #7503 apply to: jobs.case.edu

APPLY AT http://www.case.edu/finadmin/humres/employment/career.html