JUNIOR ARCHITECT, Cape Town

1. Organizational Relationships:
Reports to: Office Manager (primary) Supervisor/ indirect report: Head Office Manager/ Project Leader/Chief Executive Officer Supervises: Senior Architectural Technologists (Juniors & Candidates) and cleaning/tea/delivery staff

2. Statement of the Job:
The Junior Architect's main responsibilities will be overall office production of technical information (i.e. drawings, specifications, production schedules, project plans, site inspections & report, coordinate site personnel etc.). May work independently as sub-project team leader or provide technical and production assistance to project leaders (i.e. project architect) in conducting research, measuring-up existing, preparing sketch drawings, concept development & design, preparing working drawings, council submission, architectural models, specifications, contracts, work activities and progress meetings follow-up, drafting of site meeting minutes & project reports and in supervising and/or coordinate construction projects.
They may work directly or through the project architect with other professional team members i.e. Quantity Surveyors, Civil/Structural Engineers, Elec/Mech Engineers, etc in the development of the project design and implementation thereof. They apply building technology to construction and design, including materials selection, methods of construction and how the building will perform under use. They work largely in support of senior architectural professionals and other professionals, investigating technical information and factors that affect developments; including user needs, site and building surveys and regulatory requirements.

3. Essential Functions
Office admin functions (with assistance from junior staff)
• Greet visitors or callers in a friendly and professional manner.
• Respond to inquiries from callers, visitors and staff.
• Ensure a high level of customer service is provided and maintained.
• Keep records, notes and update staff & client lists, and monitor changes.
• Adhere to documented security access procedures for all visitors and tenants.
• All incidents in the office must be accurately recorded in the logbook.
• Ensure project files (hard & soft copy) are updated and filed accordingly.
• Ensure efficient use of company resources at all times.
• Implementation and update of the office filing processes (drawings and project files).
• Implementation and update of the office library.
• Maintain company documentation for purposes of efficient tender submissions.
• Monitoring published tenders for possible submission of proposals.
• Coordinate junior staff's work activities to ensure optimum levels of productivity on projects and office tasks.
• Coordinate or oversee procurement of office supplies and equipment to ensure minimal disruption to productivity.
• Attend or coordinate weekly Monday office meetings ensuring that targets are adhered to; attendance; minutes are kept and distributed within 48hrs after every meeting.

Project related functions
• Meeting with other professionals and clients at an early stage to agree on the project brief;
• Understanding how the design aspects of a construction project influence and relate to performance and functional issues so that practical questions can be addressed at the outset;
• Evaluating and advising on environmental, legal and regulatory issues;
• Contributing to planning applications, council submission and other regulatory application procedures;
• Assessing what surveys (e.g. land surveys, Geotechnical surveys, Environmental survey etc.) are required before work can commence and ensuring such surveys are undertaken and their results fed into the project;
• Developing project briefs and working on these as the project progresses; • Assist in preparing and presenting design proposals using computer-aided design (CAD), 3D presentations and model making and other tools e.g. Photoshop, In-Design, Illustrator etc;
• Assist in detailed design process and coordinating design information;
• Assist on advising clients on procuring the best and most appropriate contracts for the work they are undertaking;
• Liaising with appropriate authorities (e.g. planning enquiries and building inspectors) when producing documentation for statutory approval;
• Assist in preparing for site meetings and minute taking at all meetings;
• Assist in all site supervision functions;
• Follow-up on deliverable agreed on in meetings;
• Assist in obtaining feedback from clients and people using the building and reporting on the performance of the contractors once the construction project is completed;
• Assist in appraising the performance of buildings which are in use and producing maintenance management information; and
• Assist in evaluating and advising on refurbishment, re-use, recycling and deconstruction.

4. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• High levels of creativity, imagination and vision.
• A keen interest in the built environment and the dedication to see projects to their conclusion.
• Willingness to work long hours, under time and budget pressure.
• Excellent design and drafting skills and proficiency with computer-aided design (CAD).
• Strong mathematical skills.
• A keen eye for the detail of specific tasks, combined with an understanding of how such specifics fit in with the project as a whole.
• Organisational, project management and planning skills, including the ability to juggle multiple tasks.
• An analytical mind with excellent problem-solving ability.
• Leadership skills as well as the ability to work well within a team of other professionals
• Excellent design, presentation and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to communicate with all levels of management and clients;
• Must be competent and professional;
• Ability to plan, organize, good follow up skills and control own work effort;
• Must be approachable and presentable (acceptable professional attire);
• Must be punctual and reliable; • Must be self motivated and team orientated;
• Must have positive disposition and personality; • Must be energetic and enthusiastic;
• Must be courteous and helpful at all times;
• Specific Computer Skills:
o Autodesk Revit Architecture 2017 (compulsory)
o AutoCAD
o Photoshop, Illustrator, In-Design
o Excel – comfort in using and modifying budget templates designed by others as needed, including knowledge of basic and conditional formulas, named values, formatting for presentation and readability, and troubleshooting. Ability to check for validity and correct spreadsheet errors.

5. Qualifications Required:
• Minimum, B Technology and 3 years working experience or B Arch and 1 year working experience;
• Preferably B Arch studying towards M Arch (Prof)
• Working experience (in an architectural firm) will be an advantage.
• Registration with SACAP, Pr SArchT or Candidate Pr Arch or Pr Arch

6. Development:
Junior Architect can develop to become a Project Architect/Project Manager/Project Leader and Director of Project Management or Architecture (with shares in the company) depending on their ability to demonstrate high levels of leadership skills. Both academic (studying further in architecture, project management and business related diplomas or degrees) and registration to professional bodies as a recognized professional.