Specification Writer-Architecture

About the role

Dewberry seeks an Architectural Specification Writer with excellent technical and communications skills to join our expanding practice.

Responsibilities

• Work among other specifiers to support clients and project teams across the country in the creation of project specifications and project manuals.
• Collaborate with teams in selecting appropriate products and materials for the project type and region while working with clients and contractors to develop project manuals.
• Aid in creating and maintaining standards and templates to support various project types and service regions.
• Provide specification support through Construction Administration.
• Support CA team to ensure design intent is met during construction.
• Assist team during construction phase to evaluate substitutions, submittals, and respond to RFIs.
• Obtain feedback relative to specified product performance during CA.
• Develop, meet with, and maintain relationships with product representatives.
• Stay current with product and system development, new methods and materials, code changes, and industry trends.
• Educate staff on issues related to specifications, keynoting, technical materials information, new product materials, and new technology.
• Act as a resource for technical questions, technical detail review, submittal review, and material and product selections.

Requirements

• Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong knowledge of architectural design, engineering coordination, design trends, products, construction methodology, building systems, material application and manufacturer/supplier appropriateness.
• Ability to review and understand programs, drawings, and design narratives to discern design intent.
• Ability to meet with project designers, architects, and managers to discern product desires before they are documented and help the design team decide on product selections in a timely manner.
• Strong knowledge of various methods of project delivery and procurement models, both private and public.
• Construction procedures and schedules.
• Building codes, energy compliance requirements, OSHA, ADAAG standards, federal and state compliance requirements.
• AIA contracts and standard construction phase documents.
• General understanding of civil, structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and similar building systems.
• Ability to research and apply/incorporate findings into technical documents.
• Ability to self-organize, work on multiple projects simultaneously, and produce results within deadlines.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in architectural practice required, with minimum 3-5 years in specification development and delivery of project manual.
• Experience in delivery of project technical documents and ability to interface with clients and consultants.
• Excellent ability to lead project tasks with minimum supervision deliver in timely manner.
• Resume with a large variety of public sector project types both in size and complexity a plus.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record and ability to pass a driving record background check.