Architectural Associate II (5266) - Design & Construction - SFO (162778)

Job Description

Job DescriptionCompany Description

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: PROVISIONAL (TPV)

This is not a permanent appointment. 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: January 21, 2026
• Application Deadline: Apply immediately. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as this announcement may close at any time after 5:00 PM, February 04, 2026.
• Compensation Range: $151,710 – $184,418
• Recruitment ID: TPV-5266-162778

Working at SFO:

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a world-class, award-winning airport that served more than 54 million guests in Fiscal Year 2025. SFO offers non-stop flights to 60+ international cities on over 40 international carriers. The Bay Area’s largest airport also connects non-stop with 80+ U.S. cities on 10 domestic airlines.

As an enterprise department of the City & County of San Francisco, SFO has a workforce of approximately 1,900 City employees. In Fiscal Year 2021, SFO generated more than 28,000 direct jobs and $6.1B in business activity.

SFO is more than an airport— we are a dynamic organization where employees collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to support global travel, economic development, and public service. We are recognized as a leader in safety, environmental sustainability, and forward-thinking infrastructure, and continue to be at the forefront of transforming the travel experience.

Our Vision, Mission, and Core Values shape our culture and operations as we continue to build a supportive, purpose-driven workplace where all employees can thrive. Our mission is to deliver an airport experience where people and our planet come first.

Learn more about careers at SFO at flysfo.com, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Bluesky and Threads.

Job Description

The Architectural Department at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a team of 10–15 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 general direction of a registered architect, the incumbent performs comprehensive architectural duties to support and realize the projects of SFO’s Architectural Department.

The essential functions and duties of the position include:

1. Prepares difficult design details and specifications and supervises the preparation of preliminary plans and detailed drawings for highly complex building projects.
2. Reviews and coordinates the progress of the design work of consultant architects, engineers and other architectural personnel to ensure the drawings and specifications are properly coordinated.
3. Prepares complex and difficult programming and planning documents and final architectural contract documents for a wide variety of projects,
4. Checks and reviews, drawings and specifications prepared by consulting architects and engineers for conformance with prescribed standards, codes, and project goals and requirements.
5. Prepares quantity take offs and construction budgets; prepares preliminary and final construction costs opinions and assists in establishing the size and scope of projects to meet budget parameters.
6. May be required to perform important duties in connection with the architectural phases of interior design and construction management.
7. Performs field observations of construction, renovation, alteration, maintenance, and repair projects; analyzes problems that arise, evaluates alternative solutions; determines and recommends optimum solutions.
8. Participates in the development and advancement of subordinate personnel.
9. Takes field measurements and documents existing conditions on complex projects; coordinates the incorporation of data provided by other professionals, such as surveyors and geotechnical engineers.
10. Performs other related duties as assigned.

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. Experience: Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in the architectural field, including architectural design, architectural detailing, structural analysis, cost analysis, specification preparation, coordination and review, construction administration, and field observation of architectural construction projects, all under the direction of a licensed architect. Two (2) years must have been served as a job captain, project lead, or in a role of increased responsibility on a project. (Experience in a lower-level class (i.e., 5260, 5261, or 5265) is considered qualifying);

AND

1. License: Possession of a valid California driver 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.

Desirable Qualifications:

The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

• Experience on airport type projects, preferable experience on Terminal and Concourse type projects
• Demonstrable experience using and managing Revit/BIM to large complex projects.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary project teams of 5-8 people.
• Ability to work with a variety of audiences and stakeholders.
• Construction Administration experience on existing building remodels and ground up construction.
• LEED Accreditation or demonstrable experience with Title 24 Energy Code or Net Zero Energy Buildings.

Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

Additional Information

Selection Procedure:
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process.

The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements and the special condition. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited for an interview.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Clearance:
Candidates for employment with the San Francisco Airport Commission are required to undergo a criminal history record check, including FBI fingerprints, and Security Threat Assessment in order to determine eligibility for security clearance and may be required to undergo drug/alcohol screening. Per Civil Service Commission Rule Section 110.9.1, every applicant for an examination must possess and maintain the qualifications required by law and by the examination announcement for the examination. Failure to obtain and maintain security clearance may be basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission.

Customs Clearance:
This position requires that the incumbent be qualified for unescorted access to the San Francisco International Airport U.S. Customs Security Area. An application for a U.S. Custom Access Seal may be submitted to Customs ONLY after employment has commenced. Employment in this position requires that the incumbent submit an application for, successfully acquire and maintain a Customs Access Seal. Per Civil Service Commission Rule 110.9.1, every applicant must possess and maintain the qualifications required by law and by the examination announcement for this examination. Failure to acquire or maintain customs access, a requirement for this position, may be basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission. Customs Access Seal requirements and procedures are located in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 19, Part 122, Sections 181 or 189.

Additional Information

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Where to Apply
All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process. Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@smartrecruiters.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Recruitment Analyst: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact Phuong Tieu at Phuong.Tieu@flysfo.com.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.