Career Center

Project Designer

SUMMARY:

The position of Project Designer is responsible for assisting the Architectural Services team by providing frequent support to the Interior Design Team, assisting with project management, and providing management and maintenance support for department resources (both physical and electronic). The main focus of the position will be on the University's interiors projects (both outsourced and self-performed), though the position will at times assist other members of the Architectural Services Team. The position will collaborate with design consultants engaged by the University on large projects, as well as in-house staff on smaller projects for which a consultant is not engaged. In particular, this position assures that needs assessment, space planning, design documentation, procurement and installation of all project components provide optimum value consistent with project scope and budget.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assists and supports the Interior Design Team on both outsourced and self-performed interiors projects so that the University receives the best value for its investment in the time allotted

• Assists with preliminary needs assessments, space planning, and creation/editing of design drawings
• Field verification and site survey of project areas
• Assists in the selection and review of finishes, furniture, fixtures, and equipment as required
• Assists with furniture installations by coordinating with installers and end users
• Researches materials and products. Orders product samples as required
• Inventory, asset tagging, and organization of furniture (both on campus and in storage areas off campus)
• Assists with furniture installations and move activities by coordinating with installers and end users to minimize disruptions to university activities and arranges for move-in activities (including telecommunications)
• Relocates/moves furniture and provides packing assistance for moves when required
• Prepares purchase orders for procurement based on university procedure

Assists the Project Managers and Design Team in management of construction projects

• Works with on-campus clients to develop and update project scopes, schedules, designs, and occasionally budgets
• Assists in the bidding and scheduling of work to the appropriate trades
• Assists in performing constructability reviews of the plans and specifications for projects prepared by outside consultants
• Assists in the review of shop drawing and submittals of materials, as directed by the Project Manager, to ensure compliance with University standards of design and construction
• Assists in the preparation and management of punch lists and close-out documents
• Coordinates with other campus entities, such as Information Systems, to ensure total completion of construction projects
• Helps coordinate construction activities to minimize disruptions to university activities
• Assists the Project Manager and works with consultants, Facilities staff, and the Office of Sustainability to gather and provide information required to submit for green building certification on select construction projects

Assists in the oversight and coordination of furniture repair or replacement on campus through the work management system

• Assists in the inventory of existing furniture and equipment and evaluates for possible reuse

Creates drawings and graphics produced by the Architectural Services Team for the University

• Prepares design and construction documents as directed by the Project Managers, using AutoCAD and/or Revit
• Creates design and material presentations by using tools such as Photoshop, SketchUp, and PowerPoint

Management and maintenance of Architectural Services' physical and digital data

• Maintains and updates the "Black Book" set of existing campus buildings using AutoCAD and/or Revit
• Manages the collection of "As-Built" construction documents of campus projects (both hard copy and electronic)
• Takes progress digital photographs during construction of various campus projects
• Assists in maintaining and updating the department's website
• Provides assistance in the management of the department's computer hardware and software, working with Information Systems to assist in upgrades and regular maintenance
• Assists in the tracking, organization, and correspondence related to incoming project/design requests through the Wrike project management software and database

Assists in maintaining processes for incoming non-project requests (to include furniture moves, signage, and minor furniture requests) and directs appropriate requests to outside vendors for procurement and installation

Works with vendors to make sure all samples of interior finishes, specifications and price information located in the resource library is current.

• Updates vendor catalogs and organizes material sample library

All Facilities employees will exercise behavior in accordance with University policies as well as with the Facilities Mission and statement of Core Values.

QUALIFICATIONS:

This position requires a general understanding of interior building environments to include furnishings, finishes and barrier free design in accordance with appropriate building and safety codes. This includes knowledge of architectural concepts and elements. Specific skills and abilities include:

• Ability to read construction drawings
• High level of motivation, time management skills, and an ability to work independently and organize one's daily work so that multiple projects are prioritized and effectively managed
• Outstanding analytical, interpersonal, organizational and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively within varied project teams
• Competency in using Microsoft Office (including Excel) and AutoCAD. Knowledge of Revit is preferred but not required
• Knowledge of Bluebeam Revu, SketchUp, Photoshop, and InDesign an advantage (but not a requirement)
• Ability to assist in the creation and management of project budgets and schedules
• Ability to assist in effectively organizing and managing contractors
• Proficiency in digital file management, archival and retrieval systems
• Must be comfortable driving a golf cart on campus and a car off campus to pick up items or visit off-campus storage facilities on occasion
• Required: Must have a valid Driver's License and be able to produce a driving record with a minimum of 3 years of driving history in good standing

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited Interior Design program or an accredited Architecture program
• Preferred but not required: 2+ years professional experience working for an interior design or architectural firm

WORK HOURS:

• Full-time, exempt position
• Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; 7.75 hrs./day; 38.75 hrs./week
• All Facilities employees are designated as essential personnel and may be subject to work outside the normal work schedule on an emergency basis and may be subject to planned overtime work as required by the immediate supervisor.

SALARY STRUCTURE:
Pay Grade 6 (Hiring Range $44,775.00 to $59,325.00 annually)

COVID-19:

The University of Richmond requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all students, faculty, and staff. The University allows exemptions to this requirement for religious, medical and strong personal conviction reasons. All newly hired employees must report their status within the first two weeks of employment.

ABOUT UR:

At the University of Richmond, we're creative, inclusive, and determined. We're Spiders, and our mission is to create positive change in the UR community and beyond. Located minutes from downtown Richmond, Virginia, the University of Richmond (www.richmond.edu) blends the intimacy of a small college with exceptional academic, research, and cultural opportunities usually found only at large institutions. There's only one place like Richmond.

UR is committed to developing a diverse faculty, staff and student body, and to modeling an inclusive campus community which values the expression of differences in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development and institutional success. In keeping with this commitment, our academic community welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and candidates who support diversity. EOE