CHIEF ARCHITECT
Career Family: CHIEF
New Jersey treats Chief Architect as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
The minimum is 5 years of relevant experience and a professional license.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Where this title is used
Chief Architect is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction supervises and coordinates the activities of an architectural unit responsible for the planning, development, and design of drawings for new buildings and the renovation and modernization of old structures; does other related duties.
Examples of work
- Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluation and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
- Recommends the purchase of needed material, equipment, and supplies.
- Coordinates activities of the unit with that of other specialized units.
- Confers with contractors, engineers and other professional staff.
- Provides advice and assistance on architectural matters.
- Keeps current with practices in the field of architecture.
- Supervises the preparation of plans, specifications and details; makes changes in plans when necessary.
- Supervises the development and design of working drawings for modernization, renovation, and new building construction.
- Supervises the design and layout of plans, elevations, and sections for buildings, using rough sketches, verbal information, and field observations.
- Determines size and space requirements and provides information regarding cost, design, materials, equipment, and estimated time for completion of projects.
- Supervises the inspection of work in progress.
- May prepare full-scale models of projects.
- Develops feasibility studies and cost estimates for various projects.
- Maintains records and files.
- Prepares correspondence and reports.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
Five (5) years of experience in the design of large and varied types of buildings, and the preparation of architectural plans, drawings, and specifications, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.
License
Possession of a valid license as a Registered Architect issued by the New Jersey State Board of Architects.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in NJ only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the science and art of architecture.
- Knowledge of the methods and techniques used to determine building design.
- Knowledge of the technological developments in the field of architecture.
- Knowledge of the preparation of detailed drawings for the information of draftsmen, estimators, inspectors, and contractors.
- Knowledge of the techniques used to prepare plans, specifications and details.
- Ability to read and interpret local construction codes, and apply them to specific situations.
- Ability to coordinate activities with other units.
- Ability to provide assignments and instructions to staff members and to supervise the performance of their work.
- Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of detailed plans, drawings, and specifications.
- Ability to provide advice and assistance on architectural matters.
- Ability to work harmoniously with associates, superintendents, their assistants, and others concerned with the design and construction of buildings.
- Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Ability to establish and maintain records and files.
- Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.