Job Description

Specifications Writer

Award-winning architecture firm that is reputably one of the best places to work in Los Angeles & San Diego, earning California's Design Firm of the Year, is seeking a Specifications Writer to join either their growing Los Angeles or San Diego studio. With over 30 years of practice, this 160-person-firm is nationally recognized in programming, planning + design for the healthcare, science & technology, higher education, K-12, and civic sectors. The firm's expertise includes transformative projects for schools of medicine and the health professions, advanced research and teaching laboratories, leading-edge museums and civic landmarks, tech-offices, and innovative clinical facilities on higher ed, healthcare, and urban campuses.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Specifications Writer to join a multi-disciplinary team in a full-time, in-house capacity. This role is integral to supporting complex institutional projects by developing and managing comprehensive architectural specifications that ensure quality, consistency, and technical accuracy across all project documentation. The successful candidate will contribute to projects of varying scale and complexity while maintaining the firm's high standards for technical excellence and documentation quality.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Collaboration: Partner closely with Project Managers and Project Architects to coordinate specification deliverables and effectively distribute workload across project teams
• Project Specifications Development: Create, organize, and maintain detailed architectural specifications for complex institutional projects across healthcare, science and technology, higher education, and K-12 sectors, ensuring full compliance with project schedules, firm standards, and applicable codes
• Technical Expertise: Provide authoritative guidance on building material and system selection, application, and sustainability considerations
• Quality Assurance: Review and coordinate consultant specifications to ensure adherence to formatting standards, project manuals, and owner requirements
• Standards Management: Continuously maintain and enhance firm master specifications by incorporating current codes, industry best practices, and emerging building technologies specific to institutional design
• Construction Support: Assist with construction administration activities including addenda preparation, RFI responses, substitution request reviews, and product submittal evaluations
• Knowledge Leadership: Serve as the primary technical resource and mentor to design teams, promoting excellence in specification development practices
• Travel: Position may require occasional travel

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Architectural Technology, Construction Management, or related field
• Experience: Minimum 7 years of dedicated experience developing architectural specifications for complex commercial and institutional projects within the AEC industry
• Technical Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of national and local building codes and reference standards, with demonstrated expertise in the International Building Code (IBC) and regulatory requirements specific to California jurisdictions
• Technology Proficiency: Familiarity with emerging technologies that support integrated practice, coordination, and efficient documentation processes
• Communication Skills: Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities with proven capacity to articulate technical concepts clearly and collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams
• Analytical Abilities: Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret project objectives and translate them into well-organized, code-compliant, and technically precise specifications
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous project experience in Higher Education, Science & Technology, Healthcare, or other Institutional sectors
• Professional certifications: CCS (Certified Construction Specifier), CDT (Construction Documents Technologist), LEED accreditation

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