DESCRIPTION

JOB OVERVIEW

The Assistant Architect contributes to the design and construction of individual architecture projects within Prospect Park which include the restoration of landmarked buildings and monuments and the design and construction of new sustainable buildings under the guidance of the Director of Architecture + Preservation. The Assistant Architect researches and designs components of projects and assists with the production of Contract Documents for submissions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS / KEY JOB OUTCOMES

• Work as a member of a project team to assemble Contract Documents and NYC Buildings Department packages, including professional drawing and specification sets, for submission to New York City Agencies for approvals and procurement of work.

• Collaborate with Prospect Park staff, the Design & Construction team, and consulting engineers to research and contribute to production projects that are technically sound and serve the needs of Prospect Park and project users.

• Follow deadlines to complete project documents under the guidance of the Senior Architect.

• Assist the Director, Architecture + Preservation, and Architect with submissions of individual projects to New York City agencies having authority over architecture projects within Prospect Park including the NYC Parks Department, Brooklyn Borough Board, NYC Landmarks and Preservation Commission, NYC Public Design Commission, and NYC Buildings Department among others.

• Assist Director, Architecture + Preservation, and Architect to coordinate and monitor individual architectural construction projects within the park to ensure projects are being built well within the allotted time frame.

• Travel to various parts of the Park as needed to carry out duties.
  Performs other job-related duties and functions as assigned

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Preservation Architecture

• Three to Five (3-5) years’ experience working on architectural projects for an architectural firm or a government entity involved in public projects.

• Experience presenting and communicating design concepts, analysis, and conclusions.

• Experience with NYC building code, DOB filing, ADA, zoning and energy code requirements

• A valid NYS Driver’s License

COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skills & Personal Attributes)

• Passion for the Alliance Mission & Core Values: A passion for public parks and environmental conservation combined with a commitment to treating others with respect, appreciating individual differences and embracing the values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

• Ethics & Integrity: Earns the trust and respect of others through a consistent commitment to integrity, honesty and professionalism in all interactions.

• Professional/Technical Knowledge: A demonstrated understanding of building design and construction from site analysis and programming through close out. Understanding of structural, mechanical, electrical, and/or architecturally specialty system/components

• Project Design, Development, Planning & Analysis: The ability to analyze programmatic requirements and site and budget restraints to produce designs that address project criteria effectively. Alternately, to be able to assess consulting design professionals’ proposed design solutions. The ability to develop project directives, outlines, projections, budgetary estimates, timelines, resource studies and strategies to meet pertinent building/construction rules regulations and permitting

• Historic Preservation: Knowledge of preservation techniques to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance.

• Architecture Technology: Technically proficient with industry standard software programs used by architects including AutoCAD, Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Sketchup. Experience with Revit and 3-D modeling and rendering programs plus.

• Health and Safety: Comply with relevant health and safety legislation and regulation and organizational policies. Manages risk including the identification of hazards, assessment of risks and implementation of control measures. Manages own safety and that of others.

• Data Analytics: Demonstrates broad knowledge of information sources that can be used to assess problems and make decisions. Effectively leverages hard data as inputs to making decisions. Thoroughly analyzes impact of possible solutions and decisions and shares probable impacts based on experience. Able to garner insight from abstract data and make appropriate decisions. Think several steps ahead in deciding best course of action, anticipating likely outcomes or implications.

• Self-Management & Teamwork: Ability to work independently or as a member of a team, ability to be detailed-oriented and consistently accurate, ability to manage stress effectively in a fast-paced environment. Cooperative, personable, open-minded personal outlook needed to steer project team towards successful goals.

• Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate with individuals at all levels and to speak across range of technical issues. Excellent communication skills.

• Organizing, Planning & Multi-tasking: Organizational and planning skills, project planning and management skills. Proven ability to set priorities or deliver on priorities set by supervisor, meet deadlines and multi-task with minimal supervision. Employee may handle some unusual situations independently. Proven ability to coordinate activities. Employee organizes and carries out most assignments in accordance with standard practices, instructions or previous training.

• Analysis & Sound Judgment: Analytical and trouble shooting skills. Ability to make sound judgments. Ability to improve processes, promote excellence and demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness. Ability to make considered decisions on the spot.

• Self-Management & Teamwork: Ability to work independently or as a member of a team, ability to be detailed-oriented and consistently accurate, ability to manage stress effectively in a fast-paced environment. Cooperative, personable, open-minded personal outlook needed to steer project team towards successful goals.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Committed to working in collaboration with others, promoting cooperation and commitment to others and being a positive team contributor.

• Technology: Proficient with requirements of automated technologies that support area of responsibility including G-Suite and Microsoft Office Suite.

COMPENSATION + BENEFITS

• Job Grade:  4 - (First-Line Managerial + Skilled Professionals)

• Salary Range:  $67,0000 - 72,000 annual gross earnings

• The Alliance offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision

  • Supplemental Options (AFLAC, Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care FSA + Commuter Benefits, Pet Insurance)

  • 403b Contribution + 2% Employer Contribution

*Pay offered is based on several factors including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work is normally performed in the field which subjects the employee to various external elements including potentially adverse weather conditions.

• Requires operating a motor vehicle; standing for extended periods of time; use of a desktop, laptop or video display terminal and identifying and distinguishing colors and shades of color.

• Requires routine physical movements with limited physical exertion.

• Requires communicating information with co-workers, stakeholders and/or the public; reading correspondence, instructions and/or technical documents; writing correspondence and/or reports and filling in forms.

Diversity Makes Us Stronger Together: Prospect Park Alliance serves park users of all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and strives to reflect this diversity throughout our operations and in our leadership, staff, stakeholders, and supporters. We know that by creating an equitable and inclusive workplace built on mutual respect and the appreciation of difference, our employees will feel safe to express themselves, voice their opinions, and work together to find common ground and solutions. Integral to this vision is our longstanding commitment to provide equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please use the link below to apply to this position: 

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Apply/2560422/Prospect-Park-Alliance-Inc/Assistant-Architect?source=Archpaper.com

KP a+d is an award-winning San Francisco architecture firm, looking for an intern architect with an interest in the technical aspects of our profession and very good Revit skills. They are a 5-person firm in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, with a disciplined approach to design and a very wide array of projects in architecture and interior architecture. This woman-owned firm is notable for design work as well as our commitment to a healthy work-life balance.

If you have at least 3 years’ experience working full time in an architecture firm, and enjoying problem-solving and production drawing in Revit, KP a+d is eager to speak with you. The firm currently has an exciting mix of commercial, public and private sector work in all stages of development from conceptual design, construction documentation, and contract negotiation to construction administration. Their current slate of work includes a high-profile institutional project which will require them to produce solid drawing sets and custom detailing. Current project values range from $2.5 - $22 Million in probable construction cost.

The firm’s design approach is focused less on stylistic dogma and more on strong planning principles, the integration of natural light and landscape and meticulous detailing. The office engages in a variety of architectural and interiors projects, from single-family homes to public buildings to larger, urban-scaled housing and office buildings. They have completed numerous high-end private residences, several public libraries and custom commercial and institutional interiors throughout Northern California, as well as projects in New York State and Wyoming. Their work has been published in California Home and Design, Marin Magazine, PLAIN Magazine, Library Journal, Architectural Digest, California Homes, Sunset Magazine, and the local newspapers.

The Job: KP a+d is looking for an architectural intern or recently licensed architect with solid technical skills and good problem-solving instinct. In this small office each individual has a variety of responsibilities and opportunities; however, your principle role will be to produce drawings in Revit, working collaboratively with the project manager and principal. You will produce and coordinate design development and construction documents under direction of the Project Manager. If the opportunity arises you may be able to personally manage selected smaller projects.

Candidate should enjoy working in person, in the office, in a small-firm environment. The successful candidate will be a well-educated, self-motivated architect who enjoys producing well-coordinated drawings You are well organized, have excellent work habits and computer skills and have worked for at least 3 years, (ideally 3 - 5) in the United States since receiving your professional degree. At minimum, a B.Arch is required. Skill in Revit is required.

Skill and experience in Vectorworks and AutoCAD are a plus. Talented sketchers are always appreciated. Also required are fluency in English, both spoken and written, as well as legal status to work in the US, (no visa seekers, please).

Salary and benefits are competitive. KP a+d values and strives for optimal work/life balance and structure their schedule taking alternate Fridays off, year-round. The office culture reflects our commitment to nurturing a career while protecting your creative spirit. They insist that people take time off and encourage everyone to work hard but use your personal time. KP a+p cultivates whole lives. People are empowered to step up to opportunities, to interact with clients and to grow.

If you value a small firm structure with limited hierarchy in a firm that already has GREAT momentum, and if you think this might be the right career move for you, please send your resume to admin@kpad.com.

Architectural designer, educator, and pioneering feminist Debora K. Reiser died on September 19 at the age of 96. The news of Reiser’s passing was shared via social media by Pratt Institute. She is survived by her son Jesse Reiser and daughter-in-law Nanako Umemoto. Together, the three ran the award-winning studio RUR Architecture. - The Architect’s Newspaper

Anik, Nancy, and I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Deby in the Summer of 2021, where she shared stories about pursuing her Bachelors Degree from Pratt Institute in the 1940’s among a class of male peers returning from WWII. She went on to share stories about what it was like to practice architecture in the ‘50’s and how she has seen the profession change over seven decades.

You may recall our Special Holiday Event in December of 2021 where we premiered the footage of our interview with Deby. In this virtual event that Deby, Jesse, and Nanako attended, the MWA community got the chance to hear from them about practicing architecture as a family.

We are honored to have met Deby, to have experienced her palpable zeal for architecture, and to have been able to share her stories. Our deepest sympathies go out to Jesse, Nanako and the RUR team.

Watch our Special Holiday Event featuring the premier of our interview with the indomitable Debora Reiser.

The San Francisco Ballet Building (1984), a major project by Beverly Willis considered as the first building in the United States designed expressly for use by a major ballet company (left); Willis pictured at a construction site in 1982 (right). Photos via Beverly Willis Architectural Photograph Collection, Library of Congress

Beverly Willis founded her own practice in San Francisco in 1958 and went on to create the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation in 2002 out of frustration at seeing women largely absent from architectural history textbooks. She made it her mission to recognize the work of her female predecessors and contemporaries.

Ms. Willis recognized the work of little-known 20th-century female architects, as well as more established ones who worked into the 21st century as well, like Zaha Hadid, Annabelle Selldorf and Elizabeth Diller, of Diller Scofidio + Renfro.

These are just a few of the architects, designers and construction chiefs highlighted in her short film “Unknown New York: The City That Women Built.”

Ms. Willis died on October 1, 2023 due to complications with Parkinson’s Disease. She leaves behind a profound legacy of advocating for women in the field of architecture and will be missed.

Read what other outlets had to say about Beverly Willis.

NY Times

The Architect’s Newspaper

Architect

Architectural Record