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Job Specification
Position Title: ARCHITECT
Job Code: MCP - Architecture PM/19, PAR19
Job ID: 22038

Purpose of Position:
To provide architectural expertise and advice into the Ministrys review, decision-making and approval process for health capital projects through the reviews of health capital project plans / drawings, assessment of project contract documents for design solution and coordination issues, best practices in health care facility design and architecture, functionality, construction, including scheduling, phasing and decanting plans, and in reviews of change orders. To provide architectural and design specialized advice to health care providers, to the Ministry, including the Units Technical Specialists and the branchs Capital Project teams and in the development of health capital programs, capital project planning policy, architectural standards, guidelines, best practices and evaluation protocols. To represent the health capital program at inter/intra Ministry and government meetings and other working bodies as required.

Duties/Responsibilities:
Working in a Unit that is responsible for providing health capital project and communications management and technical support to the Ministry`s planning and decision-making process for the successful Implementation of Is multi-year, multi-million dollar health capital program, this Position:

1. Working in collaboration with the Senior Architect, reviews and provides recommendations regarding Investment in health capital projects related to the redevelopment of health care facilities including large, complex multi-million dollar hospital capital redevelopment projects. Consistent with review requirements for procurement approach (e.g. traditional and AFP), reviews capital project plans, including master plans, design drawings, working drawings, to provide advice as to whether the facilities designs meet user requirements, best practices In facility design and Ministry design objectives, will be cost effective to build, efficient to operate / maintain and will deliver on desired health care outcomes. Reviews associated procurement documents under traditional procurement approach to ensure coordination of design at tender.

2. Provides consultation to health care providers with respect to business cases and master planning including architecture and design by evaluating existing health care facilities and providing expert advice on the need for their replacement, expansion or renovation in relation to demographic and technological changes in the delivery of health care and government / Ministry`s strategic directions.

3. As the architectural specialist resource, reviews, assesses and provides recommendations regarding planning, design, procurement and construction contract documents related to design solution, best practices in health care facility design and Ministry design objectives and architecture, program / process design and functionality, feasibilIty of scheduling / phasing / decanting plans, optimal land use related to building solution, procurement process and review change orders. Provides advice on the cost effectiveness of alternative design solutions to meet specific and identified requirements. Identifies issues that are politically sensitive, have significant economic and policy Impacts on capital program / capital projects and refers to Senior Architect with recommendations. In collaboration with Senior Architect, recommends approval / non-approval of capital plans or delay In the progress of Implementation for a project.

4. Provides advice and guidance to the Ministry including Technical Specialists, Capital Project teams and other project leads and health care facility management and design teams on the design concept against the Ministry`s design objectives, architectural best practices for meeting user requirements and achieving desired health care outcomes, interpretation and application of planning standards for proposed facility, optimal facility life cycle, technology implications, etc. In collaboration with Senior Architect, negotiates final design solution with hospital architectural team / health facilities design team, ensuring alignment with government / Ministry`s strategic directions.

5. In collaboration with Senior Architect, contributes to the framework for the conduct of research on best practices, emerging developments and concepts relative to facilities planning and usage; assists to ensure consistent application of evaluation protocols.

6. In collaboration with the Senior Architect, provides direction and advice to infrastructure Ontario with respect to fulfilling the Ministrys role in determining the most effective architectural, design and economical approach to ensure that facilities being proposed / built meet the needs of the communities they serve, that they are aligned with Ministry and government direction, are consistent with health capital standards and best practices and will deliver on desired health care outcomes. Liaises with professional peers within the province and in other jurisdictions (e.g. structural engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, quantity surveyors) to provide / obtain technical and policy information, maintain awareness of developments / trends in architecture and to discuss solutions to health care facility design
issues and promote this Ministrys design objectives and guidelines.

7. In collaboration with Senior Architect, leads and/or participates on cross functional teams, design teams and other internal and external working groups for the development of architectural standards, capital project planning policy, guidelines, best practices and evaluation protocols. Identifies architectural implications, assists to ensure that strategies and options are developed to address them that align with Ministry/government direction, and that deliverables, timelines and outcomes are appropriate.

8. In collaboration with Senior Architect, provides input to or prepares complex decision making notes, correspondence and briefing notes within tight deadlines; briefs Branch and/or senior management as required on architectural Issues impacting the progress of the Ministry review and approval process and/or implementation of health capital programs or individual capital projects and proposals for the resolution of problems.

9. Develops and maintains effective partnerships and working relationships internally (e.g. Technical Specialists, Capital Project teams; Health Capital Strategy Development, Health Capital Investment Planning) and externally with health care providers / key stakeholders (e.g. LHINs) to meet mutual goals; maintains open channels of communication to facilitate effective proactive management of design / project issues. Develops and delivers seminars, workshops and/or presentations on best practices in design for a variety of health care programs.

Knowledge:
Registration with full qualifications with the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA). Position requires thorough knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of architecture, particularly as they relate to the design, operation and maintenance of health care facilities to review and make recommendations regarding investment including large/complex health capital projects for optimal design, functionality, best practices in health care facility design and architecture, feasibility of scheduling / phasing / decanting plans, optimal land use related to building solution, procurement process, construction management and post occupancy evaluation. Knowledge of construction techniques, building codes and special requirements of health care facilities, with experience in designing and constructing health care facilities, to provide advice and recommendations to the Ministry and external stakeholders in the resolution of complex building and operational/maintenance issues. Knowledge of construction techniques in related fields (e.g. structural, electrical, mechanical engineering, etc.) to review the design and construction plans to assess functionality, feasibility of scheduling / phasing and provide practical / viable alternatives solutions to design problems / issues. Requires good knowledge of the capital planning, design and procurement processes, the construction Industry, the health care system / services with good understanding of Ministry`s strategic directions, health care goals, priorities and relevant legislation / regulations affecting the construction industry (e.g. Ontario Building Code) to participate in the comprehensive planning process as the architectural expert resource, identify health capital program and/or individual capital project impediments to advancing the Ministry`s review and approval process from the architectural perspective, recommend and/or negotiate changes to achieve optimal design solutions, and contribute expertise for the development of policy, standards and guidelines that supports the Ministry agenda and expedites health capital projects. Knowledge of and proficiency in use of computers, current architectural software (e.g. AutoCAD) and other software packages (e.g. word processing, data base management, spreadsheets) to review and assess designs of facilities, conduct research on best practices, prepare reports, correspondence and briefing materials.

Excellent analytical, interpretative, problem solving and communication skills to critically analyze capital project plans related to proposed design of facilities, assess for design solution, functionality, best practices, optimal land use related to building solution, procurement process and post occupancy evaluations, to adapt or interpret design standards to meet requirements, make recommendations as to whether to approve, reject or require amendments to the capital project plans from architectural perspective and identify/prepare recommendations to address impediments.
Good research skills to develop design solutions to meet changes In the health care delivery system due to impacts of changing demographics, improved technology and health needs of the communities. Good planning, coordination and organizational skills are required to conduct reviews of project plans / drawings and contract documents as part of capital project planning / construction processes, to meet project schedules / timelines and successfully balance a demanding workload. Well developed communication and relationship management skills to develop / maintain strong partnerships and working relationships internally / externally, work effectively in a project team environment, to provide effective consultation services, advice and creative solutions to health care facility management and design teams on design solutions, and to develop reports, correspondence, briefing notes and materials. Good negotiation skills to negotiate design solutions with hospital architectural team/health facilities and address project related issues that meet Ministry design objectives, deliver on desired health outcomes, and better serves the needs of the community. Well developed communication and presentation skills to deliver presentations on best practices in health care design for a variety of health care / programs to external stakeholders.

Judgement:
Work is performed under the general direction of the Manager, Capital Project Management Office and carried out within the broad framework of Ministry business directions, established construction and building codes, architectural /planning standards and best practices governing health care facility design and architecture. Work is coordinated by the Senior Architect who also provides functional direction and technical advice for the resolution of complex problems / issues. Judgement is used In providing advice to technical specialists and to the Ministry In the resolution of project planning / implementation issues, in assisting to ensure that architectural planning standards and analyticai protocols are consistently applied and providing architectural Input/response on capital projects. Considerable judgernent is exercised in providing architectural specialized advice to the Ministry, health care providers and their consulting/design teams and In determining optimal choices with respect to existing health care facilities (I.e. replacement, expansion or renovation) in relation to meeting community needs due to demographic, technology, and policy changes. Judgement and political acuity in representing the Ministry and its objectives/guidelines to other professionals and bodies. Position uses judgement to prepare reports and recommendations on building programs and plans including new construction, additions, demolition and future utilization / needs which can affect the availability, effectiveness and safety of health care In any given area of the province. Judgement is exercised in weighing the technical advisability / feasibility / functionality of projects including large, complex hospital capital redevelopment projects against the economic feasibility, in using expertise and creativity In recommending Improvements to proposed facilities designs and/or in addressing issues/problems encountered throughout the capital planning process to ensure that the capital projects meet the required functional program for the facility, that the design is the optimal way of using the land, that the facility will operate efficiently while effectively and safely achieve desired health care outcomes, conform to space / good practice guidelines and that the design and choice of materials will result In a building with as low a construction cost as possible without impairing function and future maintenance or add unnecessarily to the life cycle or operating costs.

Judgement is also exercised in deciding and structuring program content of workshops, seminars and presentations in a manner by which technical information, best practices and policies related to health care facility design are readily understood and conveyed to the public, stakeholders and Industry partners. Judgement and political acuity is exercised in establishing / maintaining effective partnerships / relationships with wide variety of stakeholders,
including peer groups such as firms of architects, structural engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, quantity surveyors and with senior representatives of health care service facilities to respond to requests for opinion / advice, promote best practices and negotiate design and architectural changes for optimal design solution. Position exercises judgement in acting as a architectural specialist resource on project management teams, in providing ongoing advice and consultation to health care providers to facilitate needed changes throughout the project stages, in working with confidential and commercially sensitive information and to deadlines, and in preparing reports with recommendations, presentations, briefing notes / materials in support of branch and/or senior management on contentious, highly political issues impacting the capital program and/or delay progress of individual capital projects.

Accountability - Programs:
Accountable for providing technical expertise and professional quality of advice related to the architectural and design
elements contained in capital plans, designs, procurement and construction documents; for providing advice and expertise on the development or projects including large, complex multi-million dollar health care facilities; for providing architectural expertise on capital project management teams and conducting technical reviews / assessments of project planning, design and contract documents in support of developing effective facilities based on an approved program scope and economic viability; and for contributing to the development of policies, architectural standards, guidelines, best practices and evaluation protocols based an knowledge of health care design. Accountable for providing expertise and consultation to health facIlities design teams, identifying / assessing and responding to architectural planning) design I construction issues throughout all stages of the project, including recommending / negotiating revisions to project plans / contracts to achieve optimal facility design solutions.

Accountability - Impact of Errors:
Failure to provide technically accurate and feasible advice based on valid and sound analysis will result in health care facilities which are expensive to construct, operate and maintain and where poor design will negatively affect health care outcomes and patient / staff safety; errors have long term and permanent Impact for as long as the facilities remain unaltered. Poor planning advice / consultation could delay health care reform within a geographical area or result in large unnecessary expenditure if opinion on whether to demolish, build or renovate was erroneous.

Contact - Internal:
Frequent contacts with Branch colleagues / technical specialists to participate in the comprehensive review of project related planning, design, procurement and construction contract documents, to provide specialized advice on architectural / design issues and recommend resolution of capital planning issues/project problems, and coordinate own work to meet deadlines and expedite health capital projects. Limited contact with other branches / divisions (e.g. Health Capital Strategy Development, Health Capital Investment Planning) to provide technical input as required for strategic policy or investment policy / planning development. Regular contact with Branch senior management to provide expertise and advice to health capital programs, projects and standards and occasional contact with Ministry senior management to provide briefings on highly political, contentious issues impacting capital planning and/or project
oroaress.

Contact - External:
Regular contact with Infrastructure Ontario regarding the Ministrys role to provide support in ensuring that architectural and design approach for facilities being proposed / built meets the needs of the communities they serve, are aligned with Ministry/government directions and are consistent with standards and best practices and Ministry design objectives. Regular contact with senior members of the architectural and engineering professions, senior staff and Board members of hospitals and other health care providers, professional associations and their consultants to provide advice on health care design, consult on needs, methods, procedures, best practices, sites, cost parameters, use of specific materials, alternatives or substitutions and interpret the intent of Ministry policy, standards, guidelines for construction and siting of health care facilities and, In collaboration with Senior Architect, to negotiate improvements to arrive at final design solution. Frequent contact with Local Health Integration Networks, Ontario Realty Corporation as ll as with, other jurisdictions and specialist groups to discuss alternative health care facility designs.