Specifications Writer

Common and Baseline Responsibilities

• Works in partnership with the local Operations and Technical Directors to provide guidance on use of proposed building products and materials, their suitability for the intended application, and suggests appropriate alternatives when needed.
• Implements existing policies and notes needed for Studio policy changes or updates.
• Works in tandem with Project Architects, Project Managers, and the local Technical Director to schedule, allocate, and share workload to ensure adequate specifications coverage for all projects and to review project schedules for preparation of specification deliverables.
• Promotes in-house specifications procedures and processes, conducts learning and development workshops with Project Architects and Project Managers to inform project teams of the latest updates in Perkins&Will master specifications, and ensures latest references and standards are included in the Studio specification masters.
• Contributes to meeting Firm and project goals for excellence in design and execution and provides knowledgeable input on material product selection for LEED certification and Living Design.
• Demonstrates strong knowledge of interior and exterior building components, systems and assemblies, and material requirements for all project types in Perkins&Will’s Practice Areas.
• Plans, schedules, organizes, and prepares construction specifications for the milestone deliverables of projects (including outline specifications when required).
• Prepares Procurement Requirements when required; receives owner’s Division 00 documents for inclusion in Project Manual; coordinates specifications Table of Contents and Professional Seals pages with owner’s documents.
• Ensures project consultants receive the current specification formatting requirements.
• Receives and reviews project consultants’ specifications for coordination with Perkins&Will formatting requirements, Table of Contents, and Professional Seals pages.
• Maintains awareness of industry standards and stays informed about current references and resources, evolving building technology and systems, and building codes; ensures specifications are CSI- and code-compliant.
• Seeks first-hand knowledge of sustainable design ratings systems, products, materials, and construction processes.
• Assists teams in preparation of addenda during the bidding phase and responses to submittals, substitution requests, and RFIs during the Construction Contract Administration phase.
• Ensures tasks are completed in accordance with Perkins&Will standards and the Project Delivery Manual.
• Self-checks work for accuracy, omissions, and legibility.
• Collaborates with peer specification writers throughout the firm.
• Mentors and trains emerging design professionals on specifications content and processes.
• Implements a creative approach to plan and complete tasks and responsibilities on projects, within the scope of schedule and budget, in an organized, timely, and consistent way.
• Exhibits curiosity about design and the AEC industry at large.
• Communicates ideas and thoughts in a way that inspires others.
• Coordinates effectively and participates in meetings with clients, partners, and consultants.

High-level Summary of Critical, Baseline Technical Skills and Certifications

Proficiencies

• Advanced understanding of architectural principles associated with project design and construction materials and methods
• Proficient knowledge of building materials, and codes construction techniques, and relative costs as well as building material characteristics, performance, and compatibility
• Advanced knowledge of CSI principles and AIA (US)/CCDC (Canada) Contract Documents

Software

• Deltek Master spec
• AIA Contract Software
• Word, Excel
• Adobe Suite
• RIB Spec Link
• Bluebeam Revu

Licensure/Certifications/Education

• Position requires a post-secondary bachelor’s degree, professional degree in architecture preferred for continued advancement
• Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) CDT is required for this position
• LEED GA within 6 months of hire
• Professional Accreditation in one area of Living Design that interests you: LEED AP with Specialty, BREEAM AP, WELL AP, SITES AP, Passive House Institute Certified Passive House Consultant/Designer CPHC/CPHD, or ILFI Living Future Accreditation
• ACHA Accreditation Preferred
• Professional Design Licensure (preferred)
• CSI and CCS preferred

Qualified and interested candidates should submit a resume and work samples. Include your resume and a compact, representative sample of your work (no larger than 6MB).  Please submit your files in pdf.

Salary Range Information

We foster a culture that is diverse and inclusive and strive for pay practices that are fair, and competitive and reflect our commitment to pay equity. Our compensation decisions include but are not limited to a candidate’s qualifications including skill sets, education, experience and training, licensure and certifications credentials if applicable, and business-related factors. This practice extends to all employees, including performance considerations for merit increases, job promotions, and transfer opportunities. We additionally review our pay practices, conduct pay equity audits, and ensure our managers are trained in our pay practices on an annual basis. At the time of posting this job advertisement, commensurate with qualifications, the annual pay salary range for this position is between $80,00 and $110,00, dependent on location and experience.

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At Perkins&Will we believe that inclusion spurs creativity and that innovation is born from an engaged culture of diverse people + ideas. By moving beyond barriers and stereotypes of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status; we are committed to building an organization that reflects the diversity of the communities and clients we serve. 

"Design has the power to inspire joy, uplift lives, and strengthen the spirit of community."

*Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Perkins&Will has established and adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity Employment policy (“EEO”), which is part of the Company’s Human Resources Policy. The purpose of this EEO policy is to ensure that all employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis, and without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. In some cases, local laws and regulations may provide greater protections than those outlined here and employees will be covered by the laws of their local jurisdiction.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Perkins&Will will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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