What are the responsibilities and job description for the PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT position at City of Los Angeles, CA?

Salary : $161,298.00 - $235,797.00 Annually

Location : CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CA

Job Type : FULL-TIME

Job Number : 7928 OP 2025 / 01 / 24 R

Department : PUBLIC WORKS - ENGINEERING

Opening Date : 01 / 31 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 13 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific

DUTIES

ANNUAL SALAR Y

161,298 to $235,797

NOTE :

Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.

A Principal Architect serves as administrative and technical head of a major architectural / engineering unit; acts as staff architect on buildings under the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Works; coordinates and evaluates design work of private architects working on City projects; applies sound supervisory standards and techniques in building and maintaining an effective work group; fulfills equal employment opportunity responsibilities; and does related work.

REQUIREMENT(S) / MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S)

A valid license as an Architect issued by the California Architects Board; and
Two years of full-time, paid professional experience at the level of Senior Architect with the City of Los Angeles directing design programs for a variety of projects; or
Four years of full-time, paid professional experience as an Architect directing and supervising design programs involving complex, large-scale design projects including buildings for office use, public use, institutional use, industrial use, or recreational use, within the last ten years.

PROCESS NOTES

Applicants who lack six months or less of the required experience may file for this examination. However, they cannot be appointed until the full experience requirement is met.

Applicants must submit a valid license as an Architect issued by the California Architects Board at the time of filing. This license is required as a condition of employment as a Principal Architect. A copy of the license must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the license is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted it. Applicants who fail to submit the valid license at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.

A valid Class C driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles is required at the time of filing. Applicants will be disqualified and not eligible for hire if their DMV record within the last 36 months reflects three or more moving violations and / or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation such as DUI.

WHERE TO APPLY & APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the "Apply" icon. On-line job bulletins are available at

NOTE :

Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.

Applications must be received by THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025

In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order : 1) Los Angeles City Promotional applicants who meet the minimum requirements. You must have received a regular appointment to a City position or be on a reserve list to apply for this examination as a promotional candidate; 2) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles on a part-time or exempt basis who meet the minimum requirements; 3) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applications submitted during the filing period may be kept on file in the event that additional applicants need to be tested to meet hiring needs.

SELECTION PROCESS

Examination Weight : Essay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Advisory Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100%

The examination will consist entirely of an evaluation of professional and personal qualifications by interview. In the interview, the following competencies may be evaluated : Judgment and Decision Making; Supervision; Oral Communication; Written Communication; Program Responsibility; Workforce Management; Industry Knowledge; Job Knowledge, including knowledge of : architectural design sufficient to evaluate designs for meeting its program objectives, design intent, sustainability goals, as well as achieving structural integrity, contextual aesthetic value, and economic use of materials; architectural drawings sufficient to check plans and specifications for accuracy, completeness, readiness for bidding, and conformance with legal requirements; architectural plans and engineering drawings sufficient to visualize spatial relationships to detect conflicts; the effect and consequences of projects on the social, economic and environmental aspects of a local community such as accessibility, noise, traffic and how projects influence the well-being of the people living there; AutoCAD design and drafting tools, three-dimensional digital modeling tools, and other software used to produce architectural design and construction drawings; City and State building laws, ordinances, codes, and provisions of the State Architectural Code such as professional responsibilities, design and construction contracts; mathematical calculations sufficient to perform tasks such as determination of areas, determination of volumes, calculation of costs, and estimating time required for projects; accounting sufficient to understand financial records and to check the accuracy of reported costs; and other necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities.

As part of the interview, candidates will be required to present to the interview board a portfolio with samples of their architectural work. The portfolio should include up to a maximum of five work examples performed under the candidate's direction in the recent past. While interviewers will not assign a separate score to the samples, the interviewers will consider the quality of the samples in their overall evaluation of the candidate's qualifications. Candidates should expect the interviewers to discuss the samples with them during their interviews. Specific information regarding the portfolio of architectural work samples to be presented to the interview board will be e-mailed to those candidates invited to participate in the interview.

Prior to the interview, applicants will be required to prepare some written material related to the duties and responsibilities of a Principal Architect. This essay material will not be separately scored, but will be presented to the interview board for review and consideration, which may include discussion, in the overall evaluation of the candidate. Those who do not complete the advisory essay will not be invited to the interview and will be considered to have failed the entire examination. To be considered complete, the advisory essay must include a substantive response for each question or problem included in the advisory essay for which an applicant is required to provide an answer. Please note that applicants must complete the advisory essay and meet the minimum qualification(s) as stated on this bulletin in order to be considered further in the examination process.

The advisory essay will be administered on-line. Candidates invited to participate in the examination will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the specific steps needed to complete the on-line advisory essay. Candidates will be required to complete the on-line advisory essay between MARCH 24, 2025 and MARCH 31, 2025. Applicants who fail to complete the advisory essay as instructed may be disqualified.

Candidates will be notified by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the interviews, which may be held in Los Angeles or on-line. It is anticipated that interviews will begin during the period of APRIL 14, 2025 to APRIL 25, 2025.

NOTES :

This examination is based on a validation study.

Appointment to a position in this class is subject to a one-year probationary period as provided by Section 1011 of the Los Angeles City Charter.

Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.

As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at

A final average score of 70% is required to be placed on the eligible list.

In conjunction with Civil Service Rules, applicants who are current eligible City employees or are on a reserve list will be considered Promotional candidates while all other applicants will be considered open candidates.

Candidates will accrue seniority credit at the rate of 0.10 of a point for each year of service in those City classes which provide qualifying experience for this position. A maximum of one point will be added to the score of the candidate.

The promotional list will ordinarily be used ahead of the open competitive list. However, if open competitive candidates receive a higher score, without military credits, than the highest available promotional candidate, after adding 0.10 of a point seniority credit for each year of service, the Civil Service Commission, upon request of the appointing authority, may approve certification of such open competitive candidates ahead of the promotional candidates.

In accordance with Civil Service Rule, Sec. 4.24, review periods may be combined. Candidates in the examination process may file protests as provided in Sec. 4.20, 4.22 and 4.23 as applicable and within the required time frame; however, the Personnel Department may respond to and resolve protests prior to the establishment of the eligible list.

NOTICE :

If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.

THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN BOTH ON AN

INTERDEPARTMENTAL PROMOTIONAL AND AN OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS

The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to :

There are many things to consider in a new employer. Visit the following webpage to view benefits the City of Los Angeles offers its employees :

To be PROPERLY AND PROMPTLY notified of the status of my application, I UNDERSTAND that I MUST provide on my City application, the following information :

Working E-mail address

Telephone Number

Official social security number

I UNDERSTAND that I MUST provide a working email address on my application where I will receive notifications regarding the status of my application and the selection process.

I UNDERSTAND that important information regarding the status of my application and the selection process will only be sent via E-MAIL to the email address I provided.

I UNDERSTAND that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that the email address I provided is a working email and that I will check my email regularly to ensure I receive any communication as it relates to the examination promptly.

I UNDERSTAND that the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department is NOT RESPONSIBLE for any lost or redirected emails and that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to add info@governmentjobs.com to my email contact list to avoid email notifications related to this examination from being classified as "spam" or "junk" mail.

I have read these statements to their fullest and will provide a working e-mail address on my application in order to receive status of my application regarding this examination.

I UNDERSTAND that I am required to describe, IN DETAIL, my appropriate qualifying experience in the Work Experience Section of my application.

I UNDERSTAND that, if qualifying with my City experience, that I MUST indicate my appropriate job classification in my work history and NOT ANY WORKING TITLE that I believe is designated to me.

I UNDERSTAND that if I attach a resume and / or cover letter IN LIEU of completing the Work Experience Section, my application is INCOMPLETE and WILL NOT be considered for this examination, and my application WILL NOT be further processed.

In addition to including my qualifying experience, I UNDERSTAND that I should list ALL jobs, regardless of duration, including part-time jobs, military service and any periods of unemployment during my entire work history.

I have read these statements to their entirety and understand them completely and to their fullest.

I am currently :

A City of Los Angeles employee having received a regular appointment.

An exempt City of Los Angeles employee, but have civil service status.

An exempt City of Los Angeles employee without receiving civil service status.

A City of Los Angeles employee in a temporary training position.

A City of Los Angeles employee on a part-time basis.

On a regular reserve list for the City of Los Angeles.

Not employed with the City of Los Angeles.

Requirement 1 I have a valid license as an Architect issued by the California Architects Board.IMPORTANT : A copy of the license must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the license is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted it. Applicants who fail to submit the valid license at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.

Yes, I have a valid license as an Architect issued by the California Architects Board.

This statement does not apply to me.

Requirement 2 I have the following amount of full-time paid professional experience at the level of Senior Architect with the City of Los Angeles directing design programs for a variety of projects.

Experience in Temporary Assignments, acting pay and in-lieu assignments working out of classification will NOT be considered qualifying experience and therefore will not accepted for this examination.

Your experience MUST be included in the work experience section of the application.

Between 1 month and 11 months

Between 12 months and 17 months

Between 18 months and 23 months

24 months or more

This statement does not apply to me.

In the text box below please list the classification name or position title of the full-time paid professional experience you are claiming to be at the level of Senior Architect with the City of Los Angeles directing design programs for a variety of projects. If this does not apply to you, indicate N / A. IMPORTANT NOTE : Please note that the classification listed in the text box below should be included in the Work Experience section of this application.

Requirement 3 I have the following amount of full-time paid professional experience as an Architect directing and supervising design programs involving complex, large-scale design projects including buildings for office use, public use, institutional use, industrial use, or recreational use, within the last ten years.

Between 1 month and 11 months

Between 12 months and 23 months

Between 24 months and 35 months

Between 36 months and 41 months

Between 42 months and 47 months

48 months or more

This statement does not apply to me.

I have the following professional experience as an Architect directing and supervising design programs involving : Check all that apply.Your experience MUST be included in the work experience section of the application.

Complex, large-scale design projects including buildings for Office use within the last ten years.

Complex, large-scale design projects including buildings for Public use within the last ten years.

Complex, large-scale design projects including buildings for Institutional use within the last ten years.

Complex, large-scale design projects including buildings for Industrial use within the last ten years.

Complex, large-scale design projects including buildings for Recreational use within the last ten years.

This statement does not apply to me.

List your employer(s), dates, and duties of the experience you wish to use for Question #7.

I possess a valid California driver's license.

Yes, I possess a valid California driver's license.

This statement does not apply to me.

Indicate your valid California driver's license number and expiration date in the text box below :

IMPORTANT NOTE I have read the above questions carefully and answered each one accurately. I understand that if I do not provide correct information that my application will be disqualified and will not be considered further for this examination.

I understand that if I submit more than one application, my newest application will be considered and all others will be considered duplicates and will not be reviewed.

You should include in the work experience section of your application any jobs you wish to be considered as you will be unable to add or change your information after submission .

Yes, I have read the above statements carefully and understand them to their fullest.

The following question may be used in consideration of your overall qualifications for the job of Principal Architect. Please note that this experience may be verified at a later time. Select the statement that best describes your level of experience in the following area.I have personally performed mathematical calculations in order to determine cost of projects.