Sr. Project Architect

About the role

Serves as senior project architect for the planning, design and construction phases of new construction and renovation capital improvement projects. Plans, organizes, and directs the oversight of large, multi-faceted capital improvement projects and architectural/ engineering studies.

Responsibilities

• Provides overall project oversight, reporting, and coordination for large, single-and multi-phased capital improvement projects at various phases (planning, design, and construction).
• Manages the architecture/engineering design teams, construction managers, and contractors to ensure the study or project is being completed on time and under budget.
• Ensures that projects maintain completion milestones.
• Solves project design issues and construction delays.
• Aids in creating and updating design standards.
• Oversees preparation and documentation for facility’s feasibility studies, planning studies, and site studies.
• Aids in creating and updating education specifications.
• Prepares schematic designs/design development/construction documents packages, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Reviews, comments upon, and approves engineering designs of in-house and consultant engineers.
• Reviews drawings, specifications, and calculations to ensure compliance with design standards and intent.
• Interprets codes, regulations, and requirements.
• Participates in community engagement and committee meetings with community and school stakeholders.
• Oversees preparation of historic property’s Determination of Eligibility, as needed.
• Performs constructability reviews during the design process to find potential sources of conflict.
• Investigates project sites to document existing conditions and possible issues.
• Participates in and conducts meetings with consultants, school administrators, the public and others.
• Participates in project design and bidding process, assisting BCPS' project manager/planner.
• Participates in pre-bid meetings with contractors and representatives of other agencies.
• Assists with answering contractor questions during bid phase of project.
• Conducts pre-construction meetings with contractors.
• Ensures that contractors adhere to established schedules, standards, and contracts.
• Mets with and coordinates project work with school-based administrators, contractors, and others.
• Serves as liaison between the contractor, architect, BCPS, and the Office of Facilities Construction and Improvement.
• Analyzes complex building issues and recommends a course of action based on analysis.
• Prepares and presents detailed studies and reports.
• Works with engineers, architects, maintenance staff, and others to investigate and resolve problems.
• Prepares and reviews cost estimates, specifications, and other construction documents.
• Navigates and prepares the review and approval of projects with the State of Maryland and other outside agencies.
• Gathers and assembles data required for state reports and other documents.
• Prepares correspondence relating to projects.
• Develops and implements scopes of work, cost estimates, design/technical submittal reviews, change order management and financial and schedule oversight.
• Evaluates data/information with electrical, mechanical, and civil engineers; prepares schematic design solutions.
• Develops and tracks construction project plans, schedules, and budgets.
• Checks drawings and confirms that the construction is performed according to the drawings, specifications, and codes.
• Oversees and approves projects as they progress.
• Visits project sites, evaluates the existing conditions; meets with the principals for their input.
• Prepares correspondence related to projects.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree in architecture.
• Eight years of experience in architectural design.
• Experience with public K-12 and/or large capital projects is preferred.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, disability coverage, and 403(b)/457 plans.
• Paid vacation, paid holiday’s, sick, personal business, and bereavement days, and flexible leave options such as FMLA, sick bank, and board approved leaves.
• Retirement: Eligible for the Baltimore County Employees’ Retirement System.
• Salary range: $87,025 to $139,976 (Annual Salary Scale for Exempt 12-Month Employees Represented by BCPSOPE 2025-2026 Effective January 1, 2026).
• Comp time may be available.

Physical and Environmental Conditions

• The duties of this class are generally sedentary with occasional walking, standing, and other limited physical activities.
• Duties will require travel to sites throughout Baltimore County and movement through project sites, buildings, and areas under construction.
• Work may include walking, standing, climbing ladders, and exposure to potential hazards, such as traffic, heavy equipment, and adverse site conditions/weather when on construction sites.