Architect Senior Specialist DCL Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisiana/jobs/newprint/5043656) Apply  Architect Senior Specialist DCL Salary Depends on Qualifications Location Statewide, LA Job Type Promotion Job Number 422-211867-KB Department DPS-Office of State Fire Marshal Opening Date 08/14/2025 Closing Date 8/19/2025 11:59 PM Central + Description + Benefits + Questions About this Job It is the mission of the Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to protect life and property from the hazards of fire or explosions, to ensure the safety of our citizens in the constructed environment, to provide equal access to disable individuals, and promote the efficient use of energy in commercial buildings. As such, the Plan Review Section reviews construction documents for all new construction, renovations, and otherwise altered commercial buildings in Louisiana for compliance with the state adopted laws, rules and codes. Professional architects and engineers are employed to provide for peer-to-peer consultation with our architect and engineer clients, and to provide quality assistance to business owners who have not retained professional services for their projects. Licensed architects with a passion for safety and assisting with expediting safe economic development in Louisiana are wanted to join our team. OSFM Architects in this position become experts in the building, fire protection, and accessibility codes and regularly consult with the construction industry regarding these requirements. This is an excellent and unique career opportunity that comes with many benefits. If you’re self-motivated, technically oriented, and enjoy collaborating with the construction industry, this could be the right career path for you! Minimum Qualifications Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice architecture plus four years of experience as a licensed architect. Three years of experience with reviewing plans for compliance with the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code (LSUCC). Job Specification The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be foundhere (https://apps01.civilservice.louisiana.gov/onestopjobinfo/DisplayJobSpec.aspx?JobCode=165980) . Job Duties and Other Information Job Duties: The Architect Senior Specialist DCL answers directly to the Architect 6 and indirectly supervises lower level architects. 45% The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) standardized statewide web-based information technology system, implemented in 2015, provides for real-time seamless, paperless submittals for plan review, permitting, and inspections. The incumbent in this position will organize, input and maintain the information that is to be managed by this system for use by the back office (OSFM) and by the front office (public). • Associate standard review comments with each applicable selection in the database. Enter standard review comments into the system • Identify specific state adopted codes, rules, and laws that are applicable to the type of each project submitted during the online application process. Associate each user selection with a standard comment that identifies the applicable chapter, section and verse of the reference, based on the actual scope of each project submitted • Identify standard comments that are to be accessed by the back office plan reviewers and/or inspectors, and those that are to be visible to the front office (public) • Define “tool tip” and “pop-up” information for available selections within the system to inform applicants and staff of requirements • Coordinate and integrate access to webinars • Enter comprehensive review guide information into the system to help establish consistent application of code requirements, document correct code interpretations, outline review procedures, and identify office review policies • Monitor and update OSFM website as needed to keep up to date information available • Assist with the pursuit of technological advances including state of the art equipment within the office, and with the continual development of the Fire Marshal Statewide Information Management System 15% The incumbent in this position will assist with the development of training materials and guides for all applicable review types in coordination with the Chief Architect (Architect 6), the Architect Supervisors (Architect 4), and other specialists in order to provide accurate and consistent information for training the Plan Review staff. The incumbent will also provide training classes to OSFM staff and to various industry groups as needed. • Develop and maintain thorough, comprehensive, and up to date training materials and training schedules to account for all applicable laws, rules, codes, standards, policies and procedures pertaining to plan review • Work with Architect Supervisors, other Specialists, and review staff to identify particular training needs and areas of inconsistency • Maintain training materials in order to account for changes, updates and new applicable requirements • Conduct training for new and existing staff members; incumbent must have formal training and/or experience in construction/regulatory enforcement as well as a working knowledge of the Fire Marshal Act, National Fire Codes, Building Codes, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Licensing rules, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Codes and the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Life Safety Code • Conduct and/or coordinate "in house" training conferences • Prepare and conduct training classes for Professionals of Record and licensed contractors regarding state adopted laws, rules and codes • Develop webinars to address various topics and subjects applicable to plan review • Assist the Chief Architect in developing and conducting public education programs to be attended by licensed architects, engineers, licensed contractors, and other professionals throughout the state. • Conduct and/or attend regular staff meetings 15% Special Project Plan Review: • Perform plan review of active projects at times of increased backlog or reduced staffing • Review unusual projects that require special research or that reference seldom used standards. • Develop standard review comments that reference the standards used for use by other reviewers. • Assists with code interpretations and clarifications. • Monitors the workload of the staff and assists with workload management by recommending redistribution of plans by Supervisors. • Provides assistance to submitters in order to expedite approval of plans. • Conducts and/or attends regular staff meetings. • Monitors productivity of staff and notifies the Chief Architect of inconsistencies and irregularities. 10% May perform the following duties: • Run reports on various office activities • Track permit volume and identify economic growth areas within the state • Create Performance Indicator Reports for administrative review and approval • Represent the Office at professional liaison board meetings • Perform inspections for compliance with the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code (LSUCC), Life Safety Code, and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act - Architectural Barriers Act (ADA-ABA) • Prepare inspection manuals and checklists • Draft Interpretive Memorandums for review by the Chief Architect • Draft administrative policies and procedures for review by the Chief Architect and OSFM Administration • Participate on NFPA committees – assist with development of national codes • Assist the Department of Health and Hospitals with coordinating their rules affecting licensed health care and residential facilities with the requirements of this office • Perform on-site evaluations of code violations in existing structures and suggest alternative methods of compliance for the Fire Marshal to consider • Perform tour of duty at emergency command center during storms • Delegate plan review workload as necessary for efficient and timely response; expedite projects if warranted • Draft legislation as requested by the Chief Architect for the Fire Marshal’s consideration • Attend legislative committee meetings when requested to provide information regarding proposed legislation • Monitor the workload of the staff and assist with workload management by recommending redistribution of plans by Supervisors • Provide assistance to submitters in order to expedite approval of plans 10% Research and appeal response preparation. R.S. 40:1574 directs the Office of State Fire Marshal to approve all plans and specifications before construction in the state shall commence. Administrative provisions of the adopted codes allow for alternative systems, methods, or devices to be approved as equivalent by the State Fire Marshal. R.S. 40:1573.1 grants the State Fire Marshal the authority to consider alternatives to the specific requirements of the adopted laws, codes, rules, and regulations as they apply to historic structures when it is determined that public safety is not jeopardized and a minimum acceptable level of safety is achieved. R.S. 40:1730.23.H allows municipalities and parishes to accept determinations made by the State Fire Marshal as they pertain to life safety and fire protection provisions required by the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code. R.S. 40:1730.61 permits the State Fire Marshal to consider equivalencies or alternative materials or methods of construction to the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code as they apply to Industrialized Buildings. R.S. 40:1737 allows the state fire marshal, after consultation with the Department of Rehabilitation Services, to grant exceptions from the literal requirements of the accessibility requirements in cases of practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship. Therefore, the work centers about, but is not limited to, the review of appeals and proposed equivalencies to the adopted codes, rules, and laws, research of the requirements and proposed alternatives, and preparation of responses for administrative approval that are consistent with previous similar requests. Adopted codes, standards, rules and laws include, but are not limited to, fire/building codes, accessibility codes, and all referenced standards that are applicable to all federal, state, parochial, and municipal, and privately owned buildings. Work also includes, but is not limited to, the following related duties: • Review prescriptive-based plan review submittals and respond to the applicant • Review performance-based plan review submittals and respond to the applicant • Perform product evaluations • Research applicable requirements as part of preparing responses for administrative review • Perform Industrialized Building equivalency reviews • Document and organize the subject matter for future reference • Develop and maintain guides to identify stipulations for use with future requests • Identify requirements subject to repetitive requests and propose modifications to the requirements for administrative consideration • Prepare Interpretive Memorandum for administrative review 5% Other duties as assigned. Some work is performed in physically comfortable position with little or light physical effort, and some work requires moderate effort. Lifting thirty or forty pounds requires moderate effort. Lifting thirty or forty pounds may be required and brief periods of heavy muscular exertion may be required. Other necessary requirements: The individual who occupies this position must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of such individual or others in the workplace. This means the individual must not pose a significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of the individual or others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable accommodation Position Specific Duties: Appointment Type:This is apromotionalopportunity to permanent employees of the Office of State Fire Marshal. Location:To Be Determined. Compensation:Architect Senior Specialist DCL (TS317) - $2697.60 biweekly No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy. To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisiana) and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page. * Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. For further information about this vacancy contact: Department of Public Safety ATTN: Human Resources/Katy Bradley P.O. BOX 66614 Baton Rouge, LA. 70896 Email: katy.bradley@la.gov (Email:katy.bradley@la.gov) The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Public Safety Services, is a State as a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For more information on employment-related resources available for those with disabilities, refer to the Louisiana Employment Resource Guide ( Download PDF reader (https://get.adobe.com/reader/) ). For agency contact information, please refer to the supplemental information above. Louisiana State Civil Service, Louisiana, 70802 Phone (866) 783-5462 Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/louisiana/default.cfm Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity tomake a differencethrough public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career. As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program: Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/ Parental Leave– Up to six weeks paid parental leave More information can be found athttps://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx Holidays and Leave – State employees receive the following paid holidays each year: + New Year's Day + Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, + Mardi Gras, + Good Friday, + Memorial Day, + Independence Day, + Labor Day, + Veteran's Day, + Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. ***** Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase. Retirement – State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to): + Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video (https://lasersonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Your\_Retirement\_System.mp4) to give you more detailed information about their system + Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org), + Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others 01 To ensure compliance with DPS-PSS Policy 01-02.01 Nepotism, no individual may be hired, promoted, demoted or transferred within DPS, if the individual is related to another employee who is, or would be, within their line of supervision. Relative is defined as: child, step-child, sibling, spouse, parent, step-parent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, grandchild, grandparent, and any "in law" relationship. Are you related to anyone employed with the Department of Public Safety, Public Safety Services? + Yes + No 02 If you answered "Yes" to the above question, please list the name of your relative and relationship. If you answered "No" to the above question, enter N/A. 03 Are you a classified employee of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Office of State Fire Marshal, serving with permanent status? (This does not include probational, unclassified, restricted, WAE, or job appointments.) + Yes + No 04 Did you list ALL your job experience and education on your application? (If not, please add before submitting.) + Yes + No 05 Are you in possession of a current Louisiana license to practice architecture? + Yes + No Required Question Employer State of Louisiana Address For agency contact information, please refer to the supplemental information above. Louisiana State Civil Service, Louisiana, 70802 Phone (866) 783-5462 Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/louisiana/default.cfm Apply Please verify your email addressVerify Email