Construction Administrator

VLK is seeking a Construction Administrator for our Austin office due to the high growth and expansion we are experiencing in Central Texas. This position will manage and enforce the construction contract of multiple projects during the construction phase to ensure the highest quality in accordance with the design intent dictated in the Contract Documents.

Observes the construction work for general conformance with the Contract Documents

• Visit site a minimum of once a week, or as determined by project need, and at other times relative to the stage of construction
• Walk the site with the Contractor to review progress of construction, with emphasis on evaluating conformance with Contract Documents and construction schedule
• Create field observation reports through our online project management software
• Notify consultants of appropriate times for them to make site observations
• Respond to Contractor questions while on site and relay relevant information to project team. Identify and document questions that modify the design intent through relevant process (RFI, ASI, Proposal Request, etc.)
• Review and process Contractor’s Application for Payments relative to the stage and quality of construction
• Perform Substantial Completion and Final Completion inspections
• Create and issue deficiency lists at relevant times during the construction process, including at Substantial Completion
• Convey to the Architecture Director(s), project team, and Quality Assurance Director improvements that could be made to the design process based on experiences in the field during the construction process. Examples include improvements to details, material selection, drawing quality, specifications, etc.

Initiates and leads necessary meetings throughout the construction phase

• Initiate and lead Pre-Construction Conference upon issuance of Notice to Proceed to cover relevant agenda items and information pertaining to the specific project.
• Lead meetings with Owner, Architect, and Contractor at regularly scheduled intervals to discuss construction progress and conformance with schedule and design intent, as well as to review upcoming milestones and critical coordination issues.
• Initiate and lead Pre-Installation conferences with Contractor, Sub-Contractor(s), Vendors, and relevant consultants to review processes, procedures, and other special circumstances relevant to the execution of the specific product, system, or scope of work.
• Initiate and lead project closeout meetings to review closeout procedures and schedule for submitting and reviewing documentation.

Processes RFIs, ASIs, and Proposed Change Orders, as well as manages the Submittal process

• Review questions from the contractor with the project team and respond to RFI’s through our online project management software
• Submit minor changes to the contract documents as Supplemental Instructions through our online project management software
• Coordinate and maintain Construction Documents during the construction phase
• Initiate Proposal Requests for proposed changes to the scope of the project due to the request of the Owner or discovered condition.

Review Proposed Change Orders and other claims from the contractor to ensure the proposed costs and time extensions are in alignment with the scope identified and in line with market conditions

• After review and agreement of cost and time proposals, submit recommendation to Owner to approve or reject the cost and time submitted. Upon approval from Owner, incorporate into the project scope via contingency reconciliation, allowance reconciliation, or Change Order
• Facilitate Change Order documentation and execution
• Monitor use and balances of contingencies and allowances on an ongoing basis
• Review submittal schedule proposed by Contractor
• Ensure project team is processing Contractor’s shop drawings, product data, samples, and on-site mock-ups in a timely manner

Issues procedural documents relevant to the Contract for Construction

• Issue Notice to Proceed on behalf of the Owner upon execution of construction contract
• Certify Contractor’s request for payments and forward to the Owner for processing
• Prepare and issue Change Orders
• Prepare and issue Certificate of Substantial Completion
• Initiate and coordinate TAS inspection with the RAS

Reviews the results of construction tests and inspections

• Review test results of third-party inspections and tests required by the contract documents
• Request plan of action from Contractor for addressing non-compliant test results identified in the test reports
• Coordinate consulting engineer’s response to non-compliant test reports, when necessary, and issue to the Contractor

Administers the completion and closeout process for the Owner

• Facilitate completion of Owner’s closeout requirements in a timely fashion
• Review warranties, manuals, attic stock, training documentation, etc. to ensure that all are provided to Owner per the specification requirements
• Coordinate scheduling of systems and equipment training with Owner
• Review and certify the Contractor’s final application for payment based on the Final Completion inspection
• Prepare and issue a final change order, including reconciliation of any remaining allowance or contingency balances

Monitors post construction warranty requests

• Receive warranty requests from the Owner
• Distribute warranty items to necessary parties, including the Contractor
• Facilitate completion of corrective work in a timely fashion
• Review corrective work to ensure it is completed to the Owner’s satisfaction

Performs quality control review of drawings and specifications during the construction document phase.

• At key milestones in the project, perform quality control reviews of the drawings and specifications of projects assigned to the Construction Administrator
• Initiate and lead meetings with the design team to convey the results of the quality control review, and to facilitate mentoring of the less-experienced team members
• Distribute information to the project team relative to specific standards, expectations, nuances, etc. of repeat clients, so it can be incorporated into the project
• Mentor Project Coordinators and Emerging Professionals throughout the firm.

Other duties, as required

• Supervise review and documentation of liquidated damages requests
• Review and facilitate resolution of claims, as well as managing various other disputes
• Attend early morning concrete pours at certain phases of project construction
• Assist or lead in the completion of facility assessments and bond planning

Academic/Professional:

• Professional degree in Architecture from a NAAB accredited University preferred
• Registered Architect preferred
• LEED® AP preferred

Competencies:

• Knowledgeable about Architecture practice and construction process
• Excellent communicator who works well with a large team of diverse personalities and is adept at negotiating and conflict resolution
• Interpreting contractual agreements
• Proficiency with relevant industry software, including Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Adobe products, Autodesk Construction Cloud, and MS Office

Personality Traits:

• Attentive to rules and accuracy
• Technical, analytical focus, working within established standards and guidelines
• Positive response to pressure
• Proactive, expertise-based problem solver
• Positive communicator
• Factual conversationalist
• Thorough and precise with strong follow-up

Physical Requirements:

• Able to talk and hear
• Able to drive
• Able to walk construction sites with varying degrees of challenging terrain
• Able to climb ladders to review work performed on upper levels and roofs
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs occasionally

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience working in an Architecture Firm or Construction Company on commercial projects.
• Experience in K-12 and Higher Ed market sectors is preferred