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Project Architect

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Required applicant materials:

  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter
  3. Portfolio (maximum of 10 pages) and/or list of recent projects describing relevant information such as project scope, scale, budget, role, and duration assigned to project.

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 23140
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Kathy Jahnke at (406) 994-6774 or kjahnke@montana.edu.
Classification Title Architect I - BZ
Working Title Project Architect
Brief Position Overview
The Project Architect will lead, manage, and/or provide input on the design of new construction, repair, and remodeling projects at Montana State University under the direction of the University Architect and in collaboration with planners and project managers within the Department. The Project Architect will also serve as a liaison between the University clients, staff, contractors, and consultants to ensure successful project delivery.
Position Number 4M0475
Department Campus Planning, Design & Construction
Division University Services
Appointment Type Classified
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA Exempt
Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary $75,000 minimum without professional licensure, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications | $85,000 minimum with professional licensure, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
Contract Type Classified Salary
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
Position Details

General Statement
Planning, Design, and Construction (PDC) is charged with the stewardship of Montana State University’s physical assets in support of University Facilities Management’s mission of providing the physical environment that sustains the land-grant University’s excellence. Additionally, the department is the liaison with local, state, and federal agencies for matters related to planning, design, and construction.
Duties and Responsibilities
  • Contribute to the effective performance of the project team regarding project quality, schedule, and budget.
  • Functions in all aspects of the architectural design and production processes, including preliminary design, programming, space planning, estimating, building performance goal-setting and analysis, and code reviews, in addition to design development and construction documentation for construction projects for academic, research, administrative, and auxiliary departments.
  • Produce design and construction drawings, presentation drawings, technical specifications, and digital models for applicable projects completed in-house.
  • Research products, materials, building systems, and performance metrics for use in campus projects, as well as for the development of campus standards.
  • Ensure that campus standards, and state and federal building codes are complied with in the design and construction of projects.
  • Inspect on-going and completed work, ensuring project details are completed consistent with the contract documents.
  • Establish budgets for projects in collaboration with the Department’s project managers and Facilities Services estimators.
  • Provide input on and monitor project budgets in coordination with the Department’s project managers.
  • Maintain project records in collaboration with the Department’s project managers and contracts administrators.
  • Define, refine, manage, and coordinate the design scope, schedule, and budget of projects from initiation through construction and warranty in coordination with the Department’s project managers and/or external consultants.
  • Assist in the execution of construction administration responsibilities and project close-out for assigned projects, including answering questions and resolving issues involving construction documents and contracts for MSU clients, staff, contractors, architects, and engineers.
  • Build relationships with clients, staff, consultants, and contractors.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  1. Professional degree in Architecture from an accredited college or university.
  2. Proficiency of use of Revit, AutoCAD, or similar drafting program.
  3. Proficiency of use of the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint minimum) and the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator minimum).
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  1. Five or more years post-AXP experience.
  2. Licensed architect with current registration in the US.
  3. LEED, WELL, Passive House or other building performance accreditation.
  4. Proficiency of use of LCA, Rhino, Grasshopper, DIVA, Climate Studio, IES, or other performance building analysis software.
  5. Competence and working knowledge of the International Building Code (IBC), as well as other applicable local, state, and federal codes.
  6. Experience in building performance benchmarking, analysis, goal setting, metrics, and verification techniques.
  7. Knowledge and understanding of contract administration procedures and construction documents.
  8. Knowledge of laboratory planning and design topics.
  9. Experience with BIM best practices such as implementing a BIM system for facility use, maintaining a BIM infrastructure, and coordinating BIM with other data systems.
  10. Track record of success with consistent delivery of complex projects on institutional campuses.
The Successful Candidate Will
  • Knowledge of building performance trends such as carbon accounting, high-performance building systems, and so forth.
  • Ability to ideate, collaborate, and be creative.
  • Motivated to seek new responsibilities and challenges.
  • Ability to perform architectural assignments with general direction and minimal supervision, as well as work independently and collaboratively with others toward design solutions.
  • The ability to multi-task, keep good documentation, and be organized.
  • Excellent communication abilities with clients from very diverse background, using both oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to understand and apply applicable sections of Montana Code Annotated (MCA), Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM), Board of Regents (BOR) policies, and University policies.
  • Clear graphic and visual presentation skills.
  • Ability to produce accurate, concise, and complete designs and documents in a timely manner
  • Ability to prioritize multiple work assignments, meet deadlines, and exercise adaptability to changing priorities.
  • Knowledge of architectural building systems, codes, and construction techniques.
  • Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and make recommendations in support of goals.
  • Knowledge of design and construction scheduling, as well as estimating and budgeting principles.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? No
Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on November 23, 2023; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
Required applicant materials:

  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter
  3. Portfolio (maximum of 10 pages) and/or list of recent projects describing relevant information such as project scope, scale, budget, role, and duration assigned to project.
Diversity Statement

Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples.



In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.



MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment/dualcareer.html

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter
  3. Other - Please see Special Instructions
Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

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