Job title: Senior Architect
Employer: Office of Public Works
Location: Trim, Meath
Closing Date: 3pm, Thursday, 20th March 2025
Salary: Starting at €78,994
About the Employer:
The Office of Public Works (OPW) manages over 2,000 buildings spread over 1,700 properties throughout the country. It has one of the largest and most diverse property portfolios in the State, ranging from important buildings such as Dublin Castle, Garda stations, Government offices, cultural institutions, national monuments, and specialist buildings like the Forensic Science Ireland Laboratory.
The OPW’s Estate Portfolio Management function includes a number of business units that are engaged in the design and delivery of capital investment projects under the National Development Plan (NDP). These include the State Architect’s Office and the Major Projects and Intermediate Projects, Conservation and National Monuments Units. The organisation’s Conservation Unit has a key role in relation to the care and protection of the State’s National Monuments and the Heritage Estate, including managing a programme of capital investment in this important area of the State’s property portfolio.
Opportunities now exist for suitably qualified and committed individuals to take up the role of Senior Architect in the OPW. The organisation’s architectural staff provide design, project management, conservation, maintenance and advisory services for Government and State Agencies' building and property needs.
About the Role:
Principal Duties and Responsibilities of the Role
1. Managing the in-house and/or external resources necessary for the delivery of a portfolio of projects;
2. Carrying out the role of Employers Representative and administering construction contracts including supervision of site construction, agreeing final account, managing client handover and the defects period;
3. Carrying out the role of Design Team Lead (DTL) and managing the design team from project inception to completion;
4. Liaising directly with the client/end user to establish a brief of service requirements;
5. Preparing developed scheme designs on foot of a robust evaluation of potential costs, risk and value for money for client presentation and planning approval;
6. Developing Tender Documents and input into the Procurement Process;
7. Carrying out the role of the Design Certifier and Assigned Certifier in accordance with the Building Control Regulations 1997-2015 (or as amended);
8. Carrying out the role of the Project Supervisor for the Design Process (PSDP) for the project life cycle, i.e. ensuring compliance with the health and safety requirements in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006-2013 (or as amended);
9. Preparing Statutory Submissions including Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certificate, and Disability Access Certificate;
10. Providing architectural advice and assessments, including value for money assessments, in the area of Estate Portfolio Management for relevant OPW Business Units and client Departments and agencies on architectural, conservation, restoration, maintenance, design, construction and related matters;
11. Undertaking Building and Site Appraisals and development of client brief;
12. Assisting in preparing and developing P.P.P. (Public Private Partnership) procurement programmes;
13. Complying with relevant legislative codes, public procurement requirements and keeping up to date on latest trends appropriate to building design;
14. Supporting the Office of Public Works in relation to the following: - The delivery of the OPW Statement of Strategy and corresponding Business Plans. - The delivery of assigned actions in the Government Policy on Architecture. - The setting and maintenance of professional duties and technical standards in all areas of Architecture. - The development and implementation of the Architectural CPD programme. - Providing technical guidance in the development of national architecture linked polices and systems in Ireland (e.g. Green Procurement, Form of Construction Contracts, Listing of protected buildings). - The development of masterplans and initial studies including the preparation of feasibility studies, reports, preliminary design concepts and presentation drawings having regard to costs, risk and value for money. - Design Reviews. - The delivery of the Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) Implementation Programme. - The management of BIM (Business Information Modelling) Implementation. - The development of a whole of life costing approach to property related services. - The promotion of excellence in Architectural Education. - The dissemination of knowledge, experience and research. - The effective management of risk.
15. Supporting the Office of Public Works in the implementation and maintenance of ISO procedures and certification in the provision of architectural services.
16. Supporting the management of the OPW Architectural Graduate Training Programme including the mentoring and/or management of architectural graduates in preparation for examinations in Professional Competence, which provides eligibility for registration on the Register of Architects as set out in Section 14 of the Building Control Act, 2007.
17. Contributing to the overall management of the Business Unit, including the management of staff reporting to the role and the preparation of Business/Operational Plans.
18. Managing and monitoring Safety and Health issues in compliance with relevant legislation and undertake duties assigned from management.
19. Identifying and implementing initiatives to measure and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Unit, including effective management of risk and costs.
20. Contributing to the wider management and operation of the OPW.
About You:
Candidates must on or before Thursday 20th of March 2025:
1. (a) be currently registered, or eligible to be registered on the Register of Architects as set out in Section 14 of the Building Control Act, 2007. (Please note: Candidates who are successful in this competition will be required, prior to appointment, to be Registered on the Register of Architects as set out in the Building Control Act 2007).
2. (b) have a minimum of 5 years continuous registration with the RIAI or other equivalent recognised Architectural body in another jurisdiction. Candidates must also have:
3. Experience of leading and managing multiple projects concurrently through to implementation;
4. Strong technical and design skills including a record of achievement in the design and delivery of projects (Candidates called for interview will be required to present a portfolio demonstrating these skills);
5. Proficiency in AutoCAD or other similar computer drafting software for delivering a construction project;
6. Experience in the management of architectural projects including evaluations of cost, risk and value for money;
7. Experience in the management of contractors and work on site including planning and co-ordination;
8. Well-developed analytical, problem solving and operational skills;
9. Strong attention to detail with a structured and organised approach to task planning, execution and completion in a busy operational environment;
10. The ability to exercise integrity, professional judgement and deliver high quality outputs in a fast-paced work environment;
11. An understanding of current and developing issues affecting architectural procurement and awareness of national and international developments in the construction process;
12. A knowledge of current legislative requirements and familiarity with recent legislative changes affecting building design and construction;
13. Ability to lead and work effectively in a multidisciplinary team;
14. Self-motivation with the ability to work independently and without direct supervision;
15. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build effective working relationships both internally and externally;
16. Commitment to continuing professional learning and development;
17. A current full driving licence (Category B), valid in Ireland, and have ready access to a car.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday, 20th March, 2025.
We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.
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