Principal Architect

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity to influence future capability for County operated facilities to support public safety missions, human services, cultural affairs, community centers, libraries, and essential services for 3,700 employees and 238,000 residents across a 26 square mile urban community, located directly across the Potomac River from Washington D.C.?

The Facilities Design and Construction Bureau (FD&C) within the Department of Environmental Services (DES) is hiring an experienced Principal Architect to manage numerous projects and work as an integral member of the team in assisting the County with achieving its facilities’ objectives. The FD&C Bureau provides planning, public engagement, architectural, design, engineering, interior design, and construction management expertise for County facility projects.

Specific duties include:

• Understanding the conceptual intent and advancing facility programs through preliminary definition in alignment with long-range plans, sustainability, and Board priorities;
• Supporting with the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) proposals for studies, facility design, and construction initiatives for inclusion in the FD&C bi-annual ten-year County CIP;
• Supporting the developing program requirements, conceptual or schematic designs, scopes of work for design and construction, project budget estimates, and schedules;
• Coordinating transition with the FD&C Projects Group from preliminary design to design development, code and permit reviews, and preparation for construction;
• Supporting preparing Requests for Proposals (RFP) and Invitations for Bid for professional, design, and construction services in coordination with County Purchasing Agents;
• Managing professional services consultants to assist with completing planning and design products;
• Facilitating planning charettes and iterative design reviews with user groups and plan reviewers to affirm compliance with standards and mission requirements; and
• Preparing and coordinating briefing material for community outreach, funding, executives, and elected officials on the basis and justification for new, replacement, or repurposed facilities. 

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Subject matter expertise in planning, estimating, designing, and construction with the ability to assess situations, determine feasibility, and identify innovative solutions for facility, restoration, modernization, and re-purposing challenges;
• Experience collaborating with a wide variety of stakeholders to build consensus, develop facility programming documents, and produce conceptual/schematic design drawings;
• Proficiency using AutoCAD or related computer aided design skills; and
• Negotiation and presentation skills to clearly present information.

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Industrial or Interior Design, or related field; and
• Considerable experience in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Industrial or Interior Design, or other related field that includes the application of urban planning tools (AutoCAD/Revit), skills, and practices.

Desirables: Preference may be given to candidates with a Master’s degree in related field and/or experience in one or more of the following:

• Developing a long-range Capital Improvement Program (CIP);
• Developing long/short-term budget requests for government-owned buildings;
• Gathering facilities program requirements and performing conceptual design development;
• Planning, designing, and constructing complex, mixed-use facilities for private entities or other governmental agencies; and/or
• Procuring and managing professional services provided by consultants.

Possessions of one or more of the following Certifications/Licenses preferred:

• National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) certified;
• Professional Engineer (PE) License in Virginia or state with reciprocity;
• LEED Certification; and
• National Council of Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ) certified.

Special Requirements

Resume: A current resume is required to complete your applicat