Architectural Assistant Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established February 15, 1994

Scope

This series specification describes three classes which perform architectural drafting and design and other technical architectural work in State service.

Definition of Series

This series is available for use throughout State service. Incumbents do architectural drafting and design, specification writing, estimating and contract drawings for projects; prepare design and contract documents; have basic knowledge of building codes and perform other technical architectural- and construction-related work as required.

Entry Level

Entry into this series is typically through the Architectural Assistant classification.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level, variety and complexity of assignments; degree of independent action, skill and decision; degree of direction received; and, in the higher classes, level of leadperson/project leader responsibilities and design checking authority.

Definition of Levels

Architectural Assistant

The classification of Architectural Assistant is a recruiting, developmental and first working level for persons qualified to learn the technical work of an architectural office.

Under direction, incumbents prepare simple or basic drawings such as floor plans, elevations and sections from data supplied; list materials and equipment required for construction of simple buildings; make tracings or Computer-Aided Drafting/Design (CADD) sheets for simple or basic details and projects; assist in obtaining samples and catalogs from manufacturers; compile basic material reference data; assist with basic cost analyses of completed projects; assist in basic design and prepare working drawings of simple to average difficulty for the construction of new buildings and alterations to existing buildings; secure basic field information for the preparation of preliminary design and final plans; make basic quantity calculations of materials used in architectural projects; perform basic code searches; interpret basic codes; check shop drawings and materials submitals of average difficulty for contract compliance; prepare draft specifications of simple projects; prepare presentation drawings, including perspective and sketches; assist in the development of basic standard details.

Architectural Associate

This is the full journey level in this series. Under the direction of an Architect or Architectural Senior, an Architectural Associate does difficult design and prepares the most difficult drawings, by making tracings or by CADD; prepares and checks as-built drawings and construction change orders for all types of buildings and appurtenances; plan-checks all types of project drawings; reviews difficult shop drawings or materials submittals; performs difficult architectural computations; secures basic and most difficult field information for the preparation of preliminary design and final plans; assists in program development; researches and collects information on special building materials and equipment; performs difficult code searches; interprets difficult codes; prepares draft specifications; develops preliminary and final design; develops special standard details; works as a group leader on less difficult projects.

Architectural Senior

This is the supervisory level in the series. Under the general direction of a Senior Architect (1) as a Project Leader, plans and coordinates the work of a group of architectural staff on a large and complex project or a number of smaller projects of all types; personally prepares the most difficult and complex designs and working drawings for major new buildings, complex alterations to existing facilities and special equipment by making tracings or by CADD; trains and evaluates the performance of lower level personnel and recommends appropriate action; generates architectural standard sheets and special or unusual details; researches and distributes information on new products and code revisions; and (2) as an independent final plan checker, makes detailed and final checks of working drawings and specifications for all types of projects prepared by others; contacts product representatives and technical consultants for special or complex systems; makes field trips to obtain special data or interpret plans to construction personnel; prepares technical reports and correspondence.

Minimum Qualifications

Architectural Assistant

Either I

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a degree in architecture or architectural engineering in an accredited four-year curriculum from a school of architecture. (Registration as a senior in an accredited school of architecture or equivalent degree program approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section 94310 will admit applicants to the examination but they must present evidence of graduation or its equivalent before he/she can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Or II

Experience: Two years of architectural drawing experience (experience must be in building architecture). and

Education: 60 semester or the equivalent number of quarter units from an accredited college or university, 30 semester or the equivalent number of quarter units of which must have been in building architecture, architectural engineering or closely related subjects approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section 94310.

Architectural Associate

Either I

Experience: Two years of experience in the California state service as an Architectural Assistant, Range B.

Or II

Experience: Four years of architectural drafting experience, two years of which shall have involved making complete drawings of a wide variety of buildings. Experience must have been equivalent in level of responsibility to an Architectural Assistant, Range B, in the California state service. (Note: Experience must have been in building architecture.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a degree in architecture or architectural engineering in an accredited four-year curriculum from a school of architecture. (Registration as a senior in an accredited school of architecture or equivalent degree program approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section 94310 will admit applicants to the examination but they must present evidence of graduation or its equivalent before he/she can be considered eligible for appointment.) (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for up to two years of the general educational requirement on the basis that one year of experience is equivalent to 30 semester or the equivalent number of quarter units of education.)

Architectural Senior

Either I

Experience: Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Architectural Associate.

Or II

Experience: Three years of architectural drafting experience which shall have involved the making of complete drawings of major buildings, and shall have included at least one year experience as a job captain/project leader and one year in detailed final checking experience equivalent in level of responsibility to an Architectural Associate in the California state service. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a degree in architecture or architectural engineering in an accredited four-year curriculum from a school of architecture approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section 94310. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for up to two years of the general education requirement on the basis that one year of experience is equivalent to 30 semester or the equivalent number of quarter units of education.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Architectural Assistant

Knowledge of: Various materials and systems used in building construction and their commercial units; architectural and construction details and architectural practices in making designs and working drawings for building construction purposes; detailing and building components; applicable building codes and ordinances; architectural drafting procedures and equipment; state-of-the-art technology, i.e., CADD and personal computers, used in the preparation of architectural drawings; architectural history and design encompassing environmental, energy and user needs; basic safe work practices to protect safety and health.

Ability to: Communicate effectively at a level required for successful job performance; read and interpret plans and specifications; make neat and accurate architectural drawings and tracings; prepare lists of materials from architectural plans; detect errors and discrepancies in plans and specifications; organize data and prepare reports and specifications in clear and concise form; use state-of-the-art technology, i.e., CADD and personal computers; do architectural design and drafting; select appropriate finish materials and colors.

Architectural Associate

Knowledge of: All of the above, and architectural planning and details for building construction and materials; methods of directing and scheduling the work of others and other leadperson responsibilities.

Ability to: All of the above, and direct and coordinate the work of others; act as a group leader on less difficult projects; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; research and interpret applicable building and safety codes; communicate effectively; do architectural design and drafting for large and difficult projects; perform architectural computation.

Architectural Senior

Knowledge of All of the above, and architectural building contract document requirements, including all related design disciplines; professional architectural practice, law and ethics; the principles of effective supervision; the Department's Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Program objectives; a supervisor's role in the Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action/equal opportunity objectives; the Department's safety and health policies and procedures as contained in the Department's Injury and Illness Prevention Program.

Ability to: All of the above, and perform in an organized and tactful manner; train architectural staff; prepare technical reports and correspondence; make accurate final checks of working drawings and specifications; effectively contribute to the Department's Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Program objectives.

Class History