Travis County

Job Summary

Are you looking for career opportunities that provide top-notch benefits including paid vacation & sick leave, outstanding health & dental insurance, a free health clinic for you & your dependents, a generous retirement plan, teleworking and much more?

Travis County’s Facilities Management Department has great jobs that serve dozens of facilities across the county. We offer stable career options with training and tuition reimbursement available to get you to the next level in your career.

Under general supervision of architects and engineers, designs and prepares architectural and engineering drawings of proposed projects using CADD system. Assists with project scope definition and planning. May function as a team member in an interdisciplinary group of professionals and technicians involved with facilities planning, design, project management, and production of project plans, specifications, schedules, estimates and construction administration. Responsible for understanding safety procedures and ensuring that work is performed accordingly.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the second in a series of two architectural-related job classifications within the Engineering and Architectural job family. This classification is distinguished by the scope of project work, Engineer-in-Training (E.I.T.) Certificate or completion of the Intern Development Program (IDP) for approval to take the Architectural Registration Examination, and required additional experience. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Using REVIT software.
• Designs and prepares architectural and engineering drawings, using AutoCAD or Microstation system, for new facilities and renovation of existing facilities.
• Performs plan review and architectural analysis on proposed designs for facilities projects to ensure compliance with Federal, State and Local guidelines, codes and regulations.
• Assists Project Managers in project management and construction administration of new facilities and renovation of existing facilities.
• Assists in facilities database tracking assignment of floor space by department, location and facility. Develops queries and retrievals as necessary to provide detailed reports on space assignments.
• Forecasts the cost of future projects, using cost estimating software, based on preliminary plans. Projects in the future may involve new construction projects and renovation of existing facilities.
• Creates, updates and monitors project schedules using scheduling software.
• Makes recommendations concerning products, materials and equipment incorporated into facility designs.
• Prepares technical reports and makes presentation to departmental directors and project managers.
• Analyzes and responds to inquiries, comments and concerns from County officials and staff.
• Works closely with officials, department heads and other County staff, to establish procedures for the monitoring of contract compliance issues.
• Represents the County by attending meetings, seminars, conferences, professional association meetings and private organizations.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Architecture AND four (4) years of directly related, increasingly responsible architectural and design experience, including one (1) year of lead experience.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Engineer-in-Training (E.I.T.) Certification or have completed the Intern Development Program (IDP) required to sit for the Architectural Registration Examination.

Valid Texas Driver's License.

Applicants are required to pass a criminal background check with the Texas Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Background Check.

Applicants are required to successfully pass the background investigation, including fingerprint clearance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of architecture and engineering.
• Mathematical and statistical methods as used in architecture, engineering and planning.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, permits, licenses, practices, standards, policies and procedures.
• Materials sampling and testing procedures, permit requirements, utility construction requirements, and traffic control policies and standards as well as familiarity with construction techniques.
• Methods, practices, and techniques of inspections, compliance and enforcement.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, maps, records, graphics, project scheduling and management, and other related architecture/engineering applications.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in:

• Analyzing technical architecture and engineering data and reports.
• Performing architecture and engineering studies, analysis and design.
• Using and caring for equipment, tools and testing materials.
• Using and caring for computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), Geographic Information System (GIS) and other related electronic equipment.
• Explaining complicated technical problems in simple non-technical language.
• Problem-solving and technical decision-making for developing effective solutions.
• Skill in REVIT computer design software.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Work independently.
• Exercise sound judgment and make decisions.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Convey ideas and concepts verbally and in writing.
• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Continue professional growth through continuing education.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, engineers, contractors, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 60 pounds, visual acuity, mental effort, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination, manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer, and viewing screen for long periods. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, and driving and repetitive motion. Occasionally may be subject to contact with noise, vibration, fumes, foul odor, dirt, dust, gases and poor ventilation. Requires the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, hearing protection devices and gloves. Requires fieldwork and exposure to traffic, public work development sites, and construction site hazards. May require climbing and traveling over uneven, muddy, rocky, and high grass terrain in all types of weather.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM, Monday through Friday.

Location: 700 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 78701

Department: Facilities Management

Criminal Background Check, Driving Record, Education, and Employment History Check Required.

Benefits

Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.

FY2025 Travis County Benefit Guide

In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.

Credit Union

Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.

Deferred Compensation

Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.

Direct Deposit

Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.

Employee Assistance Program

Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.

Employee Organizations

Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.

Employee Health & Wellness Clinic

Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.

Holidays

An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Insurance

Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County’s current policy is to pay 100% of the employee’s health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.

The following benefits are employee paid:

• Dental
• Vision
• Supplemental Life, AD&D
• Dependent Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Long Term Care

New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.

Longevity

Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.

On the regular payday on or after the employee's fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.

Parking

A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.

Personal Holidays

Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:

January – March

3 personal holidays

April - June

2 personal holidays

July - September

1 personal holiday

October - December

None

New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.

Retirement

Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.

Sick Leave

Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.

Parental Leave

Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.

Tuition Refund

Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.

Vacation

Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:

0 to 5 years

4.0 hours per pay period

6 to 10 years

4.5 hours per pay period

11 to 15 years

5.0 hours per pay period

16 to 20 years

5.5 hours per pay period

21 plus years

6.0 hours per pay period

Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.

Workers' Compensation

The county provides all employees workers' compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.

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