Architect

Nakupuna Services LLC; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Nakupuna Services LLC is seeking a full-time Architect to join the DoWEA team. The role requires conducting facility surveys, verifying building codes, and evaluating ADA accessibility across DoWEA facilities, with extensive travel to campuses across the Pacific region including Japan, Okinawa, and Guam.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years of architectural survey experience, knowledge of USACE BUILDER, and an RA/NCARB preference. Regular deployments to multiple US military installations are expected.

Qualifications

• Education: B.Arch or M.Arch NAAB-accredited.
• Experience: at least 5 years conducting facility surveys, verifying codes, ADA accessibility, and educational space planning.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Facility Condition Assessments (FCAs) on institutional facilities and perform direct inspections of architectural components.
• Enter data into E-SMS within 90 days of site visits.
• Verify space utilization and ensure room labels match DoWEA descriptions.
• Analyze GSF variances and maintain a differences table for DoWEA reconciliation.
• Annotate changes on the FUS and provide explanations for demolition, construction, or transfers.
• Document deficiencies with Amber/Red ratings and capture photos for DAM system.

Skills

Facility surveys

USACE BUILDER methodology

Data collection & E-SMS entry

Space utilization & FUS

FUS variance reporting

Deficiency documentation

Education

NAAB-accredited Architecture degree (B.Arch/M.Arch)

Tools

E-SMS

BUILDER system

Job description

Architect

Job Locations

US-HI-Honolulu | US-SC-Charleston | US-MD-Patuxent River | US-VA-Arlington | US-TX-San Antonio

Job ID: 2026-7028

Type: Full-Time Salaried

Company: Nakupuna Services

Additional Locations: US-SC-Charleston | US-MD-Patuxent River | US-VA-Arlington | US-TX-San Antonio

Overview

Nakupuna Companies is seeking to hire a full-time Architect to join our DoWEA Team. The candidate will be responsible for conducting facility surveys, verifying building codes, evaluating Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility parameters, and reviewing educational space planning across Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) educational facilities. This role requires significant travel to conduct on-site triennial assessments across 45 school campuses located on 21 U.S. military installations throughout the Pacific Region, including Japan, Okinawa, South Korea, and Guam.

Responsibilities

The following reflects management's definition of essential functions for this position, but management may assign additional duties and responsibilities at any time. Specific duties include:

• Facility Condition Assessments: Conduct comprehensive physical Facility Condition Assessments (FCAs) on institutional facilities, identifying architectural and interior construction deficiencies. Perform direct rating inspections of facility architectural components utilizing the USACE Sustainment Management System (SMS) BUILDER methodology, including exterior closures, roofing, interior construction, staircases, interior finishes, and specialized educational spaces.
• Data Collection & E-SMS Entry: Enter collected architectural component data, condition ratings, and material quantities into the Enterprise Sustainment Management System (E-SMS) within 90 days of completing each site visit.
• Space Utilization & FUS Markups: Perform space utilization assessments to verify facility floor plans for the Facility Utilization Survey (FUS). Ensure all room labels strictly adhere to DoWEA's standard list of intended use descriptions.
• GSF Discrepancy Reporting: Analyze and track gross square footage (GSF) variances (expecting variations up to 15% or +/- 50 GSF per facility) and maintain a table of differences including pertinent facility information for DoWEA reconciliation.
• Variance & Change Documentation: Clearly annotate verified changes (room number, room area, intended use, floor/ground finishes) on an electronic copy of the FUS. Provide written explanations for all changes resulting from demolition, construction, or transfer occurrences.
• Deficiency Documentation: Document architectural deficiencies and conditions rated as "Amber (-)" or "Red" by providing detailed supporting comments and capturing representative photographs for the Data Asset Management (DAM) system.

Qualifications

Skills/Qualifications: The ideal candidate is familiar and has experience with the following technical knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Demonstrated expertise in evaluating architectural systems, interior finishes, building codes, and ADA compliance for institutional and commercial facilities.
• Proficiency in applying the USACE BUILDER Condition Assessment Guide methodology to architectural components.
• Ability to estimate material quantities from drawings and field observations to accurately componentize architectural structures in E-SMS.
• An active Registered Architect (RA) license or National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) certification is highly preferred.

Education & Experience: Candidate must possess:

• Education: A professional degree in Architecture (B.Arch or M.Arch) accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
• Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of documented architectural experience conducting facility surveys, verifying building codes, evaluating Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility parameters, and reviewing educational space planning

Physical Demands & Work Environment: Candidates are continually required to stand and walk, utilize their hands, and finger dexterity. Fieldwork requires walking large, geographically dispersed school campuses and visually inspecting building interiors, exterior closures, staircases, and specialized educational spaces.

Clearance Requirements: Must be a U.S. Citizen. Secret clearance preferred. Must be capable of passing necessary background investigations, including an FBI Fingerprint Check and Tier 1 childcare investigation, to permit unescorted access within active school facilities.

Work Location: Work is performed at DoWEA Pacific Region military installations, requiring regular deployment to school campuses located in Japan, Okinawa, South Korea, and Guam. The ideal candidate will reside in or near one of our strategic hubs: Arlington, VA; San Antonio, TX; Charleston, SC; or Honolulu, HI.

The Nakupuna Companies use a market-based compensation strategy to ensure that our employees are compensated within applicable market ranges commensurate with multiple factors, including but not limited to the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, and position location. The projected compensation range for this position is $120,000.00 to $145,000.00 (annualized USD). The salary range displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Nakupuna Companies total compensation package for employees