JOB TITLE: Staff Architect
JOB TYPE: Full-Time, On-Site
LOCATION: VA Medical Center, 400 Fort Hill Ave
Canandaigua, NY 14424

POSITION OVERVIEW
SteerBridge seeks a Staff Architect (“CM-A”) to support construction and renovation efforts for the Department of Veterans Affairs at the VA Medical Center (VAMC) located in Canandaigua, NY.

The CM-A will have responsibilities that include but are not limited to the administration of construction, design/build, engineering and facilities management complex-construction projects. Services will include, but not limited to, pre-design phase services, design phase services, procurement phase services, construction services, claims services, administration services, and technical specialty services.

REQUIRED

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be eligible and able to obtain a Public Trust Clearance (i.e., pass a Federal background check), as well as complete the necessary processes to receive a VA Personal Identity Verification (PIV) badge.
• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, or Construction Management from an accredited institution of higher learning or be licensed to practice in at least one State of the United States of America.
• Consideration will be given to a CM-A who possesses a minimum of 5 years of experience working in the state of New York. Otherwise, the minimum requirement is 10 years of experience practicing architecture.
• Minimum requirement: Candidate shall have 5 years of experience inspecting construction.

Certifications, Affiliations

• Additional consideration will be given for a CM-A who possesses a current professional architectural license registration and maintenance of same throughout tenure.

• Additional consideration will be given for an Architect’s license registered in New York.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The CM-A will assist the Senior Resident Engineer (SRE), and Resident Engineer (RE) Staff in monitoring and inspecting the construction activities for compliance with contract requirements and industry standards in Canandaigua, NY. The CM-A will be required to perform services including, but not limited to, the following:

General

• Conducts and carries out portions of daily inspections of site work, building construction work; documents discrepancies, code violations, improper materials or techniques in the application of materials, substandard or poor-quality workmanship; monitors schedules on various aspects of ongoing daily activities to identify and mitigate project slippage and coordinate project phasing.
• Reviews contractor's submittals and RFIs as required; maintains accurate and complete job files including as-built drawings and specifications; identifies progress delays and recommends appropriate corrective measures to the SRE or designated VA representative toward mitigating delays and maintaining the progress schedule.

Customer Communication/Management

• Coordinate access for consultants performing surveys, and escort them on VAMC necessary.
• Review Contractor proposed plans for interruption of utility services and/or traffic and provide report to SRE or designated VA representative.
• Plans and coordinates disruptions to utility services and other impacts to VAMC operations as needed to keep construction progress on scheduled timeline and to minimize disruptions to ongoing VA operations.
• Identify VAMC work and interruptions impacting project and mitigate impacts with VAMC/contractor.
• Coordinate Utility Company service interruptions with VAMC and USACE/Contractor.
• Lead construction impacts meeting with VAMC department staff, USACE, and contractor. Document with meeting minutes.
• Coordinate construction and activations schedules; ensure VAMC-provided equipment deliveries, outfitting, and transition to new space are timely.
• Manage planning and field verification of medical equipment requirements as central point of contact between VAMC and USACE/construction contractor.
• Coordinate commissioning activities with VAMC. Participate in commissioning and resolution of issues identified.
• Schedule equipment training between VAMC users and USACE/contractor.
• Ensure VAMC attendance at training, and witness training provided by contractor to ensure quality.
• Transfer as-built drawings, spare parts, and O&M manuals with VAMC and document receipt.

Safety and Compliance

• Perform daily Safety Inspection and Prepare Safety Inspection Reports.
• Lead CFM safety walks with safety and health personnel from VAMC, USACE, and construction contractor. Prepare and distribute documentation of CFM safety walks and ensure resolution of issued identified.
• Participate in safety walks and meetings by others.
• Review Infection Control Risk Analysis (ICRA), Pre-Construction Risk Analysis (PCRA), Interim Life Safety Measure (ILSM), and Water Infection
• Risk Analysis (WICRA) submissions from the construction contractor.
• Track open and upcoming documents and ensure timely VAMC review/approval.
• Manage hot work and confined space permit processes for construction work.
• Note and document daily conditions including environmental conditions that may impact construction safety and EPA and/or state environmental compliance and report findings to SRE or designated VA representative.

Construction/Quality

• Participate in Design Development to ensure documents are high quality, match planned scope, and reflect VA interests. Review VAMC input to determine applicability of design review comments.
• Attend USACE/Contractor meetings, including preparatory phase QC meetings and all weekly progress meetings.
• Review the testing/inspections reports submitted by the Contractor and provide approval/dis-approval recommendations to the SRE or designated VA representative.
• Maintain list(s) of observed defects and omissions. Prepare inspection punch lists and coordinate resolutions of punch list items.
• Attend 3D coordination meetings/calls and provide input on clash resolutions impacting function, access, maintainability, appearance, etc. and document outcomes.
• Reply to RFIs when necessary (for maintainability and healthcare concerns and for VAMC input). Review all RFIs and USACE responses to identify the need for VA input.
• Review and reply to construction contractor submittals when necessary (for maintainability and healthcare concerns, and for VAMC input on finishes, furniture, medical equipment, etc.) Ensure installed work is consistent with approved submittals; make recommendations to the SRE or designated VA representative for final approval.
• Participate in pre-final (punch list) and final inspection, and coordinate VAMC participation.
• Research and provide Statement of Work (SOW) and Cost Estimate (IGE) for all Discretionary/User-Requested Changes.
• Review Contractor provided requests for information and changes as provided by USACE. Review for compliance to and code VA standard design requirements. Consider potential changes for their impact on functionality, and/or safety, and/or appearance, and/or maintainability.
• Comment on document changes caused by any number of conditions and/or by Design Errors and Omissions.
• Observe work being completed by contractors and sub-contractors for proper installation and application of construction materials and report findings daily to SRE or designated VA representative.

Work Requirements

• Provide written feedback and recommendations to the SRE or designated VA representative on all information reviewed and work inspected.
• Maintain accurate and complete files relating to the CM services on the project that the Government may inspect at any time.
• Utilize computerized management system applications and construction contractors MIS system to access submittals, RFIs, and other documents.
• Submit daily reports indicating work completed, work in progress with estimated completion dates, work scheduled and outstanding work.
• The work requires regular and recurring field and construction inspection, investigation, and surveys in which there is a considerable amount of walking, stooping, bending, and climbing. Such activity will potentially result in the exposure to adverse weather and construction hazards.
• Complete the necessary processes to receive a VA Personal Identity Verification (PIV) badge, email address, and network login account.
• Compliance with any changes to security access that may take place during this contract’s period of performance is a requirement of this contract.

RELEVANT PROJECT EXPERIENCE

• The CM-A shall possess experience reviewing design and construction plans against existing site conditions.
• The CM-A shall possess experience in the resolution of unforeseen site and design conditions/problems and propose cost effective technical solutions.
• The CM-A shall possess experience conducting inspections and inventories of such structures to identify and note deficiencies, problems, or the general physical condition of such structures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of the Uniform Building Code (UBC), Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), OSHA and ASTM standards.
• Knowledge or experience in commercial hospital construction.
• Knowledge or experience in planning and conducting inspections and inventories of commercial grade medical and administrative service structures to identify and note deficiencies, problems, or the general physical condition of such structures.
• Knowledge of outfitting and activation of medical facilities, including medical equipment planning, coordination, and installation.
• Ability to provide cost estimates and take-offs for contract modifications.
• Ability to determine compliance of workmanship, materials, equipment and installed work with contract requirements and industry standards.
• Working knowledge and understanding of building, safety, and environmental codes: Uniform Building Code (UBC), Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), OSHA and ASTM standards.
• Working knowledge of environmental, civil, safety, architectural, and structural fields.
• Knowledge of governmental contracting procedures, principles, guidelines and public law.

Communication, Language, and Software Skills

• Ability to utilize a variety of software programs to monitor, update, and produce work products by applying knowledge of computer literacy.
• Ability to exercise good interpersonal skills.

REQUIRED TRAINING
The CM-A must meet the following training criteria or obtain it within 90 days of hire:

• Completion of 30-hour OSHA Safety Training Class.
• Completion of VA Cyber Security Awareness Training
• Completion of VA Privacy Awareness.

COMPENSATION
A salary commensurate with experience will be offered.

SteerBridge salaries depend on a wide array of factors, including but not limited to the contract budget, role, skill set and level of experience.

BENEFITS

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with matching
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Federal Holidays

SteerBridge Strategies is committed to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person’s race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. SteerBridge Strategies will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities in accordance with applicable law.