Senior Project Architect - Construction Administration (Leonardtown)

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly qualified, Maryland-licensed Senior Project Architect to provide architectural construction administration and technical oversight for the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Support Services Facility in Leonardtown, Maryland.

The project involves construction of a new 20,611-square-foot public safety support facility, a 40,000-square-foot vehicle storage lot, and approximately 11 acres of associated site development. This is a critical public safety facility designed to Risk Category IV standards, incorporating enhanced structural protection, security infrastructure, emergency systems, and operational redundancy. The selected architect will play a key role in ensuring construction activities conform to approved plans, specifications, applicable building codes, and established quality standards. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with public-sector construction projects, architectural construction administration, technical design reviews, and coordination with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities

1. Architectural Construction Administration

• Provide professional architectural oversight and construction administration throughout the construction phase.
• Review and interpret architectural drawings, specifications, construction documents, and applicable project requirements.
• Serve as a technical resource to the project team regarding architectural design intent and construction requirements.
• Review architectural shop drawings, material samples, product data, and contractor submittals for general conformance with the Contract Documents.
• Evaluate Requests for Information (RFIs) and provide timely, technically accurate responses.
• Identify and resolve architectural design discrepancies and construction coordination issues.
• Prepare supplemental architectural drawings, sketches, clarifications, and revisions as necessary
• Review proposed construction changes and provide recommendations regarding technical feasibility, cost, and schedule implications.

2. Construction Site Observations and Quality Assurance

• Conduct architectural site visits at least biweekly during active construction, or as otherwise required by the project.
• Observe construction progress and evaluate general conformance with approved architectural drawings and specifications.
• Identify potential deficiencies, installation concerns, and deviations from the design intent.
• Prepare written field observation reports within three working days following each site visit.
• Coordinate with the construction contractor and engineering disciplines to address architectural issues.
• Monitor resolution of observed deficiencies and outstanding architectural items.
• Support the project's quality assurance and construction documentation processes.

3. Project Meetings and Coordination

• Participate in biweekly construction progress meetings, either virtually or in person.
• Coordinate with the County's project representatives, general contractor, engineers, consultants, and commissioning team.
• Support preparation and distribution of construction meeting minutes within two working days.
• Assist in resolving architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing coordination issues.
• Provide technical input during discussions involving construction sequencing, design modifications, and project milestones.
• Maintain professional communication with project stakeholders.

4. Technical Reviews and Documentation

• Review architectural submittals and resubmittals within established project deadlines.
• Respond to contractor RFIs and requests for design clarification.
• Review proposed substitutions, construction modifications, and change order requests.
• Prepare and review architectural revisions needed to resolve design discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate documentation of design changes, field observations, and outstanding construction issues.
• Utilize Procore construction management software for submittal reviews, RFIs, document control, and project coordination.
• Coordinate architectural revisions with licensed engineering professionals as necessary.

5. Building Code and Regulatory Compliance

• Verify architectural construction compliance with applicable Maryland building codes, the International Building Code, and relevant public safety facility requirements.
• Apply knowledge of Risk Category IV and critical facility design requirements.
• Evaluate architectural issues involving life safety, accessibility, fire protection coordination, and building envelope performance.
• Coordinate with the Authority Having Jurisdiction regarding architectural design modifications and permitting matters.
• Prepare, sign, and seal architectural revisions as required by Maryland professional licensing regulations.
• Support compliance with applicable NFPA, FEMA, and other relevant standards.

6. Construction Closeout and Final Inspections

• Participate in substantial completion inspections and preparation of architectural punch lists.
• Identify incomplete or deficient architectural work requiring correction.
• Review contractor responses and verify correction of outstanding architectural items.
• Review architectural as-built drawings and record documentation.
• Assist with final project inspections and closeout activities.
• Coordinate with the commissioning team on architectural issues affecting building systems and facility operation.
• Review applicable warranties, closeout documents, and project turnover requirements.
• Participate in an optional 11-month warranty walkthrough if requested.

Required Qualifications

• Active Maryland Registered Architect license (RA) – Required.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in Architecture from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 8–10 years of progressively responsible architectural experience, preferably including significant construction administration responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience providing architectural oversight for commercial, institutional, government, or public safety construction projects.
• Strong understanding of architectural construction drawings, specifications, building codes, and construction practices.
• Experience reviewing shop drawings, contractor submittals, RFIs, and construction change requests.
• Familiarity with Maryland building codes, IBC requirements, NFPA standards, and accessibility regulations.
• Experience coordinating with structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering disciplines.
• Ability to independently evaluate construction issues and recommend practical, code-compliant solutions.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, and construction document management platforms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prepare professional field observation reports, technical correspondence, and construction documentation.
• Availability to attend project site visits and construction meetings in Leonardtown, Maryland.

Preferred Qualifications

• 12+ years of architectural experience.
• Previous experience serving as Architect of Record, Project Architect, or Lead Construction Administration Architect.
• Experience with public safety facilities, law enforcement buildings, emergency operations facilities, or government buildings.
• Experience with Risk Category IV or other mission-critical facilities.
• Familiarity with secure facilities, hardened structures, and specialized life-safety requirements.
• Previous experience assuming construction administration responsibilities for an existing design prepared by another architect.
• Experience with Procore construction management software.
• Experience working on Maryland county or state government construction projects.
• Knowledge of building commissioning and multidisciplinary systems integration.

Project-Specific Performance Expectations

The selected architect must be capable of meeting the following project requirements:

• Architectural site observations: At least biweekly.
• Field observation reports: Within 3 working days of each visit.
• Initial submittal reviews: Within 10 working days.
• Resubmittal reviews: Within 7 working days.
• Standard RFI responses: Within 5 working days.
• Critical-path submittals: Within 3 working days.
• Critical-path RFIs: Within 2 working days.
• Construction progress meetings: Biweekly.
• Project documentation: Maintained through Procore.
• Project closeout: Support through substantial completion and final documentation.

Education Requirements

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (B.Arch) from a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)-accredited program, or an equivalent educational pathway accepted by the Maryland Board of Architects.
• Active Maryland Registered Architect (RA) license in good standing.

Preferred:

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