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Sound Transit · 3 days ago

Principal Architect

Seattle, WA

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$93K/yr - $185K/yr

5+ years exp

Sound Transit is a transportation agency focused on providing mobility solutions. The Principal Architect will oversee architectural projects, ensuring compliance with contract requirements while managing staff and coordinating with various stakeholders to deliver high-quality design and construction outcomes.

Public TransportationRailroadTransportation

Work & Life Balance

Responsibilities

Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned staff; assigns work activities and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations

Coaches, trains and motivates staff; coordinates and/or provides staff training; and manages employee relations; manages the workflow and prioritization of projects and measures the performance of the department and all related staff and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary; provides advice and counsel to staff; develops developmental work plans for staff; implements or recommends corrective actions, discipline and termination procedures as appropriate/necessary

Serves as lead architect for assigned corridor(s) to oversee contracts and assure contract compliance for all architectural projects; updates stakeholders on progress of architecture related work and issues; makes decisions on architecture design and construction work to assure adequacy of design, constructability of proposed solution, schedule, budget, quality of work and maintainability of architecture, urban design and landscaping

Coordinates the disciplines for architecture related work including structural, mechanical, electrical and systems for stations, garages, public spaces, pedestrian crossings, guideways/trackways and so forth

Performs essential project management activities for assigned project(s) and project elements including management of scope, quality, schedule, costs, risk, personnel, consultants/contractors, contracts, and communications; oversee contracts and assure contract compliance on assigned projects

Provides design support during construction and implementation of assigned architectural corridor(s) or assigned project elements that support service delivery; Observes the construction of a facility for conformance to contract requirements; meets directly with the contractor to discuss issues, resolve problems, manages consultant design support, and drive issues forward with the construction management team. Assists in the preparation of answers to requests for information and contributes to the review of submittals from the contractor. Identifies to field inspection staff items of the work that should receive detailed monitoring

Takes lead role in development of project scopes of work, selection of consultants and negotiation of the relevant contract terms and fees. Participates in the preparation, negotiation and review of design fees and construction costs

Prepares independent cost estimates and negotiates changes with consultants and contractors. Reviews monthly contract invoices, contract status, progress and initiates corrections as necessary. Analyzes, tracks and reports on trends in project development, schedule, and budget in conjunction with other stakeholder groups

Presents materials to ST staff, community members, design review boards, management, the general public, stakeholders as required for the projects assigned. Participates in public meetings, prepares and presents project status and architectural graphics for public and/or design review meetings

Provides support to the department/division and others on matters as directed and perform other related duties as required

Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency

Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy

It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees

It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices

Other duties as assigned

Qualification

Professional Architect RegistrationArchitectural Design PrinciplesProject Management TechniquesLandscape Architecture PrinciplesContract Negotiation SkillsBuilding Codes KnowledgeFinancial ManagementResearchAnalysisTeam LeadershipEffective Communication

Required

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Planning, Engineering, or closely related field

Five years of architectural design and production related experience

Three years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience

Registration as a Professional Architect from the State of Washington

Principles of team leadership including lead supervisory and training principles and practices

Architectural design principles and practices

Principles and practices of landscape architecture and urban design

Building and zoning codes and regulations

Principles and practices of contract negotiation, administration and understanding of contractual relationships for consultants and contractors

Principles and practices of the building and construction industry

Understanding contract documents including production, strategies, purpose and layout, contents of specific sections including General Conditions, Special Conditions, Division 1 Specifications, Specifications Language, Technical Specifications

Understanding construction materials and methods, including use of materials, equipment, means and methods of construction, and risks in construction associated with materials and methods

Principles, methods, and techniques of developing and managing schedules

Principles of financial management (expenditure tracking, variance identification, revenue tracking, principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration)

Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities

Participate in negotiation and determination of various third party requirements, such as codes, standards, and guidelines

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including the American with Disabilities Act

Project management techniques and principles

Principles of business letter writing and report preparation

English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases

Organizing and reviewing the work of assigned staff

Working independently or as a team on complex problems or projects where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of variables and decision making or recommendations to upper management

Applying project management skills at various stages in the assigned project life cycle

Managing and/or overseeing a complex project or multiple smaller projects concurrently

Negotiating and identifying solutions that balance the Agency's interests and those of the negotiating partner(s), within financial capacity and other constraints

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public

Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies

Interpreting and applying applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations

Working effectively under pressure, meeting deadlines, and adjusting to changing priorities

Applying appropriate oral and written communication techniques to various individuals

Conducting research and analysis and providing appropriate recommendations based on findings

Researching, analyzing, and evaluating procurement delivery methods and techniques

Developing and monitoring departmental and program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules

Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets, reports and presentations

Benefits

Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.

Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.

Employee Assistance Program.

Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).

Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.

Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.

Pet Insurance.

ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.

Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.

Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.