What We Require

We are always looking for qualified people. If you are interested in joining our firm, we need to know what you have done and, above all, what you are ready to do. You must send a cover letter, noting salary requirements and your availability, and a resume with contact information. You should consider sending us a nonreturnable portfolio of your work, with specific explanations of your involvement in each example provided.

All design candidates must have: AutoCAD, MS Office; a degree in architecture, planning, or design, or equivalent from a foreign university; and excellent communication and team skills. We also prefer experience with institutional (educational, cultural), commercial, or agency clients.


What We Offer

We offer high growth potential; a truly creative environment; an experienced, talented, motivated, and collegial office; state-of-the-art technology; good salaries; client contact; comprehensive benefits; support for people working through their IDP; and a great location in Manhattan. Helpern Architects is an equal opportunity employer.

 Project Managers

Director of Planning

Designers

Technical Architects -- Intermediate and Senior

Architects – Junior and Intermediate
•

Project Managers

At Helpern Architects, we are known for the quality of our project management. To uphold this reputation, our managers must also be effective leaders and communicators.

Serving as supervising architects, our project managers must:

• Plan and administer projects.
• Develop and maintain project budgets.
• Prepare projects for bidding.
• Coordinate with consultants.
• Determine compliance, notably for building codes.
• Establish staffing.
• Meet regularly with clients, agencies, and contractors.
• Assist with proposals and presentations.
• Negotiate contracts.

We require that all qualified candidates have no less than seven years’ experience, a professional degree, familiarity with CAD and an ability to use MS Office and Project Manager. License preferred. AIA preferred.

•

Director of Planning

The director will lead the planning group, collaborate with the principals, and manage the planning process. The position emphasizes on-campus and institutional planning. The director will:

• Develop questionnaires.
• Interview client groups, analyze findings, and bring consensus.
• Research context of projects.
• Develop space programs, adjacency diagrams, space plans, and conceptual site plans.
• Coordinate consultants.
• Prepare and present written and graphic materials that explain planning principles and options, including master-plan reports.
• Assist with proposals.

The candidate must be a strong communicator and writer; have five to seven years’ experience, including three as a manager; a professional degree; and familiarity with CAD and database programs, ability to use MS Office, and proficiency in MS Word.

•

Designers

Open hiring. Designers are responsible for conceptual and actual planning and design through the life of the project. They must be both collaborative and process-oriented. Their job is to:

• Consult with the client to determine needs, and translate them into quality designs.
• Develop details.
• Select and specify materials.
• Assist with proposals and presentations.

Sketching and rendering skills are a plus. Qualified candidates must have: no less than five years’ experience, a professional degree, and familiarity with CAD and ability to use MS Office (experience with FormZ is a plus). R.A. preferred.

•

Technical Architects -- Intermediate and Senior

Open hiring. Because much of our work is with existing buildings, we constantly need architects who are knowledgeable about building technology and enthusiastic about this part of architectural practice. Tasks include:

• Inspect structures in the field.
• Research history and conditions of the building and site.
• Prepare construction documentation, including specifications.
• Write technical reports.
• Consult with manufacturers.
• Evaluate materials and methods of installation.

You need five to ten years’ technical experience, especially in exterior envelope rehabilitation, restoration, and/or preservation; and a professional degree or architectural engineering degree. A preservation degree is a plus.

•

Architects – Junior and Intermediate

Open hiring. Architects at this level contribute to design, under the supervision of project managers and project designers. Tasks include:

• Generate preliminary architectural design, design development, and working drawings, including detailing.
• Coordinate structural, mechanical, and electrical drawings.
• Prepare three-dimensional conceptual computer modeling.
• Conduct field surveys and research materials.
• Research and analyze zoning and building codes.

You can be a new graduate or someone with up to five years’ experience. You must have a professional degree. An interest in planning is a plus.