Architectural Specifications Writer

Location

Boston, MA | United States

Job description

NBBJ is an award-winning design firm, fueled by ideas and a culture of collaboration. Our purpose-driven approach creates healthy places, strong communities and a resilient environment. That’s where you come in. With leading clients, diverse colleagues and offices in creative capitals around the globe, a career at NBBJ will inspire you to be extraordinary and help create lasting change. You can learn more about our firm, see what it’s like to work hereand explore recent projectsand ideasatNBBJ.com. Join us to make an impact today!

NBBJ is seeking a talented individual to join our Specifications/BIM/Quality Management team as an Architectural Specifications Writer. This position involves technical consulting and contract document production services to project teams throughout the development of each project. We are open to both Intermediate and Senior level Writers.

The NBBJ Specifications team employs a "One Team, One Approach" method of preparing specifications and interacting with project teams. This approach provides clarity and consistency among specifiers and project teams, resulting in high quality, well-coordinated documents. We strive to be positive, approachable team players who communicate openly and transparently with fellow specifiers and project teams across the firm.

The Architectural Specification Writer will be part of NBBJ’s Studio N, a firmwide studio that is built with thought leaders and experts from across the firm, brought together as an interdisciplinary team. This opportunity is available in any of our NBBJ offices: Boston, Columbus, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, San Francisco or Seattle.

In your new role, you will: 

• Prepare the Project Manual
• Prepare and coordinate the Conditions of the Contract
• Coordinate specifications with drawings/BIM
• Coordinate architectural specifications with those of engineering and other disciplines
• Perform QA/QC reviews of deliverables
• Support Construction Administration teams review of submittals, substitutions, and requests for information
• Develop and maintain firm-wide specification masters
• Research materials and products for performance and sustainability
• Participate in firmwide documentation standards team and coordinate specifications with BIM
• Contribute to specifications initiatives

What you will need to succeed: 

• 4-year college degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management
• For Intermediate Specification Writers: Minimum of five years of experience working as an architect, engineer, or construction manager, three of those years with a demonstrated focus on specifications
• For Senior Specification Writers: Minimum of ten years of experience working as an architect, engineer, or construction manager, five of those years with a demonstrated focus on specifications
• Experience with AIA MasterSpec content
• Experience with one or more of the leading specification authoring solutions, cloud-based and otherwise
• Experience with word processing software such as MS Word
• Experience with collaboration tools including Smartsheet, Bluebeam, Mural, and Microsoft Teams
• Experience researching and selecting sustainable materials and developing sustainability requirements in specifications
• Knowledge of and commitment to current and emerging best practices in sustainable, resilient, and equitable materials with the ability to inform and guide firm practices and advance team knowledge
• CSI Construction Documents Technologist (CDT) credentialis desirable
• CSI Certified Construction Specifier (CCS) credential is desirable
• LEED, WELL, ILFI or other sustainable design credential(s) are desirable

Essential skills and knowledge: 

• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret documents including contracts, drawings, specifications, design narratives, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to gather, analyze and synthesize complex or diverse information
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate complex information with diverse teams
• Broad knowledge of architectural systems, products, and installation practices
• Specialized experience in one or more of the following practice areas: healthcare, science, education, commercial, civic. Experience with State of California’s Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and plan work activities, using time efficiently
• Demonstrated accuracy, thoroughness, and quality control of your own work
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changes in the work environment, manage competing demands, and deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events
• Demonstrated ability to preserve core document quality principles while adapting to the project needs
• Lead with a positive disposition, and interest in collaboration and mentorship with design teams

For candidates located in California, New York, and Washington, the annual base pay range for this Intermediate to Senior role is anticipated to be between $75,000 - $120,000. Actual compensation for successful candidates will be carefully determined based on a number of factors, including their skills, qualifications and experience.

We believe that all NBBJ employees should love their work. This means not only loving what you do but having pride in your workplace. We strive to be that irresistible place to work by enhancing your employee experience with customized programs and comprehensive benefits. In addition to 100% covered employee healthcare costs and 401k contributions, we offer unique professional development opportunities, volunteer opportunities and access to leading technology and resources to further help you love your work and advance your career.

• NBBJ has been named three times by Fast Company as one of the most innovative architecture firms.
• Founded in 1943, our first office opened over 75 years ago in Seattle, Washington. We now have over 10 office locations around the globe.
• We are a transdisciplinary, cross-practice focused firm with a deep portfolio of Civic & Cultural, Commercial, Corporate, Healthcare, Higher Education, Science and Technology, Sports, and Urban Environment projects. We also have several areas of service expertise including: Architecture, Environmental Graphic Design, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Workplace Consulting and more.
• In the past decade, NBBJ has received more than 300 awards from leading global, national and regional award programs across the business, real estate and design communities.
• We work with 5 of the top global high-tech companies, 14 of the U.S. News and World Report Top Hospitals, and 4 of the top 10 highest-ranked learning institutions.
• Our clients include institutional leaders such as Cambridge University, Google, Samsung, Cleveland Clinic, Tencent, and Stanford University.

Job tags

Salary