Senior Project Architect – Construction Administration

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:

• Master of Architecture (M.Arch) from an NAAB-accredited program.
• Continuing education or specialized training in construction administration, building codes, life-safety systems, or public-sector facility design.
• Additional training in Building Information Modeling (BIM), Revit, and construction management software such as Procore.

Education: Bachelor's degree (preferred)

License/Certification: Maryland Registered Architect (required)

The architect will work collaboratively with the designated mechanical and electrical engineering professionals responsible for specialized MEP systems and related design modifications.

Additional Information

This position supports an active construction project with an anticipated contractual completion in December 2027, although the contractor is currently targeting an earlier completion.

Candidates must be available to provide services throughout the required construction administration period.

Important: Please read the position description thoroughly before applying. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States and must be located within the U.S. Only candidates with the required relevant experience should apply. Applications that do not meet the stated qualifications and experience requirements will not be considered and may be rejected.