Architectural Specifications Writer

About the role

NBBJ is seeking a talented individual to join our firmwide, interdisciplinary team of specialists and thought‑leaders as an Architectural Specifications Writer. This position involves technical consulting and contract document production services to project teams throughout the development of each project. We are open to both Intermediate and Senior level Writers. The NBBJ Specifications team employs a “One Team, One Approach” method of preparing specifications and engaging with project teams, providing clarity and consistency among specifiers and project teams, resulting in high quality, well‑coordinated documents. We strive to be positive, approachable team players who communicate openly and transparently with fellow specifiers, subject matter experts, and project teams across the firm. The Architectural Specification Writer will be part of NBBJ’s Studio N, a firmwide studio that is built with thought leaders and experts from across the firm, brought together as an interdisciplinary team. This opportunity is available in any of our United States NBBJ offices: Boston, Charlotte, Columbus, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco or Seattle.

Responsibilities

• Integrate with the project teams and participate in setting direction for project goals and objectives, definition of scope
• Prepare the Project Manual
• Prepare and coordinate the Conditions of the Contract
• Coordinate specifications with drawings/BIM
• Coordinate architectural specifications with those of engineering and other disciplines
• Perform QA/QC reviews of deliverables
• Support Construction Administration teams review of submittals, substitutions, and requests for information
• Balance multiple project teams and project types
• Develop and maintain firm‑wide specification masters
• Research materials and products for performance and sustainability
• Participate in firmwide documentation standards team and coordinate specifications with BIM
• Contribute to specifications initiatives

Requirements

Four‑year college degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management.

• Intermediate Specification Writers: minimum of five years of experience working as an architect, engineer, or construction manager, with at least three of those years focused on specifications.
• Senior Specification Writers: minimum of ten years of experience working as an architect, engineer, or construction manager, with at least five of those years focused on specifications.
• Experience with AIA MasterSpec content.
• Experience with one or more of the leading specification authoring solutions (cloud‑based or otherwise).
• Experience with word processing software such as MS Word.
• Experience with collaboration tools including Smartsheet, Bluebeam, Mural, and Microsoft Teams.
• Experience researching and selecting sustainable materials and developing sustainability requirements in specifications.
• Knowledge of and commitment to current and emerging best practices in sustainable, resilient, and equitable materials, with the ability to inform and guide firm practices and advance team knowledge.

Qualifications

• CSI Construction Documents Technologist (CDT) credential is desirable.
• CSI Certified Construction Specifier (CCS) credential is desirable.
• LEED, WELL, ILFI