Residence Requirements: RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS: CANDIDATES MUST HAVE BEEN LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE WRITTEN TEST AND MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT. There is one present vacancy at the Erie County Department of Public Works

Examples of Duties:

An Assistant Architect  prepares preliminary and final architectural designs and details of structures and buildings;

Prepares preliminary studies and sketches for proposed County projects and performs research and investigation as required;

Develops scale drawings and details for various size and type construction projects using computerized software such as AutoCAD or Revit;

Reviews and evaluates contract documents prepared by consultants and coordinates as required;

Prepares specifications, reviews submittals and shop drawings, and prepares and evaluates cost estimates;

Assists in the coordination of various contractors, attends project meetings, inspects and monitors construction progress and performance, visits job site as directed;

Prepares “as built” drawings utilizing computerized software programs;

Oversees moves of offices into newly configured space including placement of utilities and equipment;

Consults with various County departments and agencies regarding capital improvements.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Candidates must meet one of the following requirements on or before the date of the written test: 

A) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture or Architectural Engineering and three (3) years of architectural experience in the design and preparation of contract documents for construction projects under the supervision of a registered architect or engineer; or:

B) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and seven (7) years of architectural experience in the design and preparation of contract documents for construction projects under the supervision of a registered architect or engineer; or:

C) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B).

Notes:

NOTES:  1.  Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting the experience requirements. 2. Your degree and/or college credit must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the New York State Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. A grade of "D" or better is necessary for a course to be credited as successfully completed. If your degree and/or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to this Department for a list of acceptable companies providing this service; you must pay the required evaluation fee.

Notice to Candidates:

Transcripts will now be accepted by the Department of Personnel ONLY at time of application.

All subsequent transcripts must be submitted at time of interview.

The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However,candidates may find information in the publication "How to take a written test" helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: www.cs.ny.gov/testing/localtestguides.cfm

Subjects of Examination:

Subjects of Examination: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:

1. Architectural drawings, including plans, elevations, sections, details and estimates

These questions test for the ability to read, analyze, and perform computations based on technical drawings of various types of buildings and related facilities. Knowledge of basic estimating techniques and how building construction materials are utilized on specified projects is required.

2. Building construction methods and materials

These questions test for knowledge of the typical procedures and materials used in the construction and renovation of buildings and related facilities, and may include such components as structural members, roofs, walls, windows, doors, insulation, foundations, exterior features and site work.

3. Principles of architectural design and methods of conserving energy in buildings

These questions test for knowledge of the techniques and standards involved in the professional architecture field and the proper construction and renovation procedures to use to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and related facilities.

4. Knowledge and application of codes related to building design, construction and renovation

These questions are related to codes found in the current versions of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Construction Code, the National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) and American National Standards Institute (ICC/ANSI A117.1).

5. Principles and knowledge related to computer-assisted design and drafting (CADD) technology

These questions test for knowledge of the basic concepts, terminology and proper procedures to use when creating technical drawings utilizing computerized design and drafting software.

6. Preparing written material

These questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly. For some questions, you will be given information in two or three sentences followed by four restatements of the information. You must then choose the best version. For other questions, you will be given paragraphs with their sentences out of order. You must then choose, from four suggestions, the best order for the sentences. 

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES:  Unless otherwise noted, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand held, solar or battery powered calculators.  Devices with typewriter keyboards, "Spell Checkers", “Personal Digital Assistants", "Address Books", "Language Translators", "Dictionaries", or any similar devices are prohibited.  You may not bring books or other reference materials.

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $20.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.