LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT CLASS DESCRIPTION

PERSONNEL COMMISSION Class Code 1809

Unit E

DEFINITION

Assists in writing building specification guides and contract documents, advises commissioned architects and their consultants in regard to the District's standard guide specifications for construction projects, and reviews their plans and specifications for conformance to standards.

TYPICAL DUTIES

Assists in the writing and assembly of building specifications and the District's standard guide

specifications for the construction of new buildings and the alteration and rehabilitation of existing structures.

Advises and gives technical direction to commissioned architects and their consultants on the interpretation and adaptation of District building guide specifications to specific projects.

Reviews and evaluates drawings and specifications prepared for specific projects by commissioned architects and their consultants to determine compliance with District specifications, policies, and procedures, and with State, local and agency codes; and requests necessary revisions.

Advises District personnel, contractors' representatives, and commissioned architects and their consultants on the interpretation of drawings and specifications, approval of substitute materials, and other specification problems arising during the bidding and construction period.

Adapts guide specifications to include the requirements of other branches.

Assists in investigating and evaluating materials and methods applicable to building design and construction.

Assists in maintaining files of federal and American Society for Testing Materials specifications, building codes, technical books, manufacturer's catalogs, and other publications.

Assists in the preparation and maintenance of contract documents related to the specifications.

Makes field surveys to collect data for major construction projects.

Arranges the distribution of drawings and specifications prepared by commissioned architects and their consultants, schedules necessary meetings, and reviews completion dates.

Uses computerized word processing equipment in specification writing.

Performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS AMONG RELATED CLASSES

A Building Specification Writer prepares the District's standard building specifications and assists in reviewing drawings and specifications prepared by commissioned architects and their consultants in the design of new school buildings and the alteration and rehabilitation of existing school structures.

The Hardware Specification Writer prepares finish hardware specifications and reviews and approves finish hardware lists submitted by contractors.

SUPERVISION

General supervision is received from the Assistant Chief, Facilities Design. No supervision is exercised.

CLASS QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Terminology, conventional symbols, and sources of architectural and engineering information

Building materials and finishes, types of buildings and construction methods

Standard specifications for building construction materials published by the American Society for Testing Materials, public agencies, and various building material associations

Current practices in architectural and engineering drafting and design

State and local building codes pertaining to school buildings

Standard practices of mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering design procedures as they relate to specification writing

Ability to:

Prepare complete, detailed documents with accuracy

Read and interpret plans, drawings, and specifications

Evaluate building materials and construction methods

Write clear, comprehensive reports

Work effectively with commissioned architects, consultants, and others

Use computerized word processing equipment in specification writing

ENTRANCE QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Graduation from a recognized college or university with a degree in architecture or engineering. Experience in addition to that required below, in the preparation of architectural and structural engineering specifications for large commercial, government, or school buildings may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. (A Certified Construction Specifier certification is highly desirable.)

Experience:

Two years of experience in the preparation of architectural and structural engineering specifications for large commercial, government, or school buildings. Six months of experience in the use of computerized word processing equipment in the preparation of specifications.

SPECIAL NOTES

1. Must become a Certified Document Technologist (attain a CDT) within one year of appointment.

2. Exempt from FLSA.