5265-Architectural Associate I

### Company Description

**TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: PROVISIONAL (TPV)**

A provisional appointee must participate and be successful in a Civil Service Examination process for this classification and be selected through an open competitive process in order to be considered for a permanent appointment.  Provisional appointments may not exceed three (3) years.

**Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below:**

* **Application Opening:** June 1, 2026
* **Application Deadline:** This job announcement may close at any time but not before June 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PT; interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
* **Salary Range:** $127,946 - $155,454
* **Recruitment ID:** TPV-5265-165361

**Working at SFO:**

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of the most dynamic and consequential airports in the world, serving as the primary international gateway to Northern California and Silicon Valley. As an enterprise department of the City and County of San Francisco, SFO welcomes over 54 million guests annually and offers nonstop service to more than 140 destinations worldwide on 50+ airlines.

SFO is far more than a transportation hub. It is a recognized leader in environmental sustainability, equity, arts and culture, and forward-thinking infrastructure. With approximately 1,900 City employees and a broader community of more than 25,000 workers across airlines, concessionaires, and partners, SFO generates significant economic vitality across the Bay Area region.

Our mission is to deliver an airport experience where people and our planet come first. Our core values of Safety and Security, Teamwork, Excellence, Care, and Equity guide everything we do as we build a supportive, purpose-driven workplace where all employees can thrive.

SFO is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. Applicants are considered regardless of race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under applicable law.

Learn more about careers at SFO at [flysfo.com](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https:/www.flysfo.com/___.YXAzOnNmZHQyOmE6bzo4ZjFkZGQ0YWM4ZjEwNmVjN2VhMmU2OWU1N2Y5YmNkOTo3OmIxODQ6NzYzN2NhYThjMjM2NjBhMTc5YWVjMWUzMzcyZDAxN2I1ZmQ3ODdlYjQ1YTA4ZTU5ZjgzNTg1ZGQ0YzA4MzNiYjpoOlQ6Tg), and follow us on [Facebook](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https:/facebook.com/flysfo___.YXAzOnNmZHQyOmE6bzo4ZjFkZGQ0YWM4ZjEwNmVjN2VhMmU2OWU1N2Y5YmNkOTo3OjdkZTM6NDI3M2EyOWZlODk4OTQ0MWFkNmUzZTBhMGEwNmRiMjVjMjU2ZDczYWEyZWM5YjhiYTU1YWYyZWI2OTdlMGUxMDpoOlQ6Tg), [Instagram](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https:/www.instagram.com/flysfo/___.YXAzOnNmZHQyOmE6bzo4ZjFkZGQ0YWM4ZjEwNmVjN2VhMmU2OWU1N2Y5YmNkOTo3Ojg2MzY6MDdhNGNhMTQ4NzVmYzZmZGFkZGJkNTQzYTkwNjNjOGQ2NjQ0OWNkYWY5ZDA3MDM4YjIzMjU1YzI0MjAxMDNjNjpoOlQ6Tg), [YouTube](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https:/www.youtube.com/user/SFOIntlAirport___.YXAzOnNmZHQyOmE6bzo4ZjFkZGQ0YWM4ZjEwNmVjN2VhMmU2OWU1N2Y5YmNkOTo3OjQ1YjY6MDE3MzMxYzIyYzY3YjJlZTlhOTZhYmI2ZWNhODc5OGYzOTMxYWVlODdhMzI3ZDgxNGQ1YzhkZDhlMjJjMTNmODpoOlQ6Tg), [LinkedIn](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https:/www.linkedin.com/company/san-francisco-international-airport___.YXAzOnNmZHQyOmE6bzo4ZjFkZGQ0YWM4ZjEwNmVjN2VhMmU2OWU1N2Y5YmNkOTo3OmJlZDY6NzgzNGVkMDZkMDc1OTk4MWNlMDA2MzYwMGYwYzg4ZTdmNWE3NzZmYjg0YmYxNDVmMmNlNDQ1ZjcxMGQxMGFkMzpoOlQ6Tg), [Bluesky](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https:/bsky.app/profile/flysfo.bsky.social___.YXAzOnNmZHQyOmE6bzo4ZjFkZGQ0YWM4ZjEwNmVjN2VhMmU2OWU1N2Y5YmNkOTo3OmI0MjE6MDMzNDlhOGUyOWJmZDg2NDY3YmZhYzA0YmVhNDc1YjdjMTRlZTU5ZDFmOGQ0M2ZmNTQ0ODNjZGJlZWM4ZjA5YTpoOlQ6Tg) and [Threads](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https:/www.threads.net/_%40flysfo___.YXAzOnNmZHQyOmE6bzo4ZjFkZGQ0YWM4ZjEwNmVjN2VhMmU2OWU1N2Y5YmNkOTo3OmRhNzE6NDk4ZDJhODU5ODdmZGI4MWI5NDU2ODgwNWUzYzE2NDRmMDJlOWNkNWM3Mjc2Y2E4Nzc5YTkxNTZlMWI2NDI0MjpoOlQ6Tg).

### Job Description

The Architectural Department at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a team of 15–20 architects dedicated to enhancing and maintaining the airport’s-built environment.  The department operates under the Design and Construction Divisions, which also includes Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Civil, Utilities, Construction Services and Project Management. Its primary focus is on renovations, design, and construction support. The team manages ground-up construction projects typically under 10,000 square feet, as well as interior improvements, and space reconfigurations. The team collaborates closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including Facilities, Aviation Management, Revenue Developments, Airport Operations and design consultants, to deliver thoughtful, high-quality projects that prioritize operational efficiency and enhance passenger experience.

Under direction, the Architectural Associate I performs a variety of difficult and responsible architectural duties in connection with the investigation of building sites, preparation and coordination of preliminary and final working designs and drawings, and the preparation of related specifications for a variety of building renovations and construction maintenance and conversion projects.

1. Prepare and supervise the preparation of preliminary plans and detailed drawings for a wide variety of complex construction, conversion and repair projects.
2. Develop finished designs of ordinary projects and portions of designs for highly complex projects.
3. Analyze and interpret data, sketches and designs and provides technical assistance to subordinate architectural drafting personnel engaged in such work.
4. Prepare and review contract specifications for various projects; coordinates design activities with those responsible for the structural, mechanical and electrical design phases of such projects; participates in meetings and discussions with representatives of City departments and outside organizations relative to design, specifications, and functional use problems.
5. Make field observations of projects under construction to ensure compliance with contract documents; takes field measurements, documents existing conditions and incorporates data provided by other professionals, such as surveyors and geotechnical engineers.
6. Make, coordinate, and review quantity and cost estimates; checks construction submittals to determine if contract specifications are complied with.
7. May be required to perform duties in connection with the architectural phases of interior design and construction management; when appropriate applies critical path method techniques to such work.
8. Assist in the development and advancement of subordinate personnel; may plan and assign work to subordinate architectural drafting personnel.
9. Perform duties as listed in the 5265 Architectural Associate I class specification, which can be found on [DHR’s website](https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/?classCode=5265).

### Qualifications

1. **Education:** Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Architecture or an architecture related field such as Environmental Design or Interior Architecture, or a professional degree in Architecture (Bachelor of Architecture or Master of Architecture) from an accredited college or university;

**AND**

1. ****Experie**nce:** Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in the architectural field including architectural design, architectural detailing, construction documents, programming, preliminary cost budgeting, specification coordination and review, construction administration, and field observation of architectural construction projects, all under the direction of a licensed architect. One (1) year must have been served as a job captain, project lead, or in some role of increased responsibility and supervision on a project. (Experience in a lower-level class (i.e., 5260 or 5261) is considered qualifying.);

**AND**

1. **License and Certification:** Possession of a valid California driver's license.

*Applicants must meet the minimum qualification by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.*

One year full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40 hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above 40 hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on [Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications](https://sfdhr.org/recruitment-details#qualifications) and [Verification of Experience and/or Education](https://sfdhr.org/recruitment-details#verification) for considerations taken when reviewing applications.

**Desirable Qualifications:**

The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

* Experience serving as Job Captain, with strong proficiency in preparing concept and schematic design drawings, presentation materials, construction documents, specifications, and detailing—preferably for Type I interior and aviation-related projects.
* Proven construction administration experience across various building typologies, with a focus on small-scale and interior renovation work in Type I Construction.
* Highly proficient in Revit for drafting and design coordination.
* Experience collaborating within interdisciplinary project teams of 1–4 members.
* Experience working with a variety of audiences and stakeholders.
* Understanding and practical knowledge of San Francisco and California Building Codes.
* Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite, including Lumion, Photoshop, Acrobat, In-Design and Illustrator.
* LEED accreditation or demonstr