Construction Contract Administrator

McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture in Columbia, SC, seeks a Construction Administrator to support project teams, provide guidance, and ensure compliance with design intent and construction standards.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in construction science or related fields, along with 3-5 years of experience in construction administration. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaboration tools is essential for effectively executing tasks.

This role includes responsibilities like quality control, managing client communications, and site visits, with a collaborative team atmosphere emphasized.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of combined experience in construction administration and/or architecture.
• Previous experience in an architecture, engineering, or construction industry firm.
• Proficiency in reading and understanding plan documents.

Responsibilities

• Assist with construction administration activities on projects.
• Read, interpret, and understand plans, specifications, and other contract documents.
• Perform quality control throughout the project life cycle.

Skills

Time management

Clear verbal and written communication

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Ability to read plan documents

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or associate degree in construction science/management, architecture, engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Bluebeam PDF Revu

Newforma Project Center

PlanGrid

Job description

Description

McMillan Pazdan Smith is an award-winning architecture, interior design, and advisory services firm with eleven studios located in the southeast. We pride ourselves on strong client relationships and community partnerships. Our projects represent the work of a collaborative group of dedicated design professionals driven by a solitary goal: to deliver a functional solution that inspires collaboration, function, imagination, constructability, and attributes of a well-constructed environmental design. A larger firm of 300 employees with a boutique firm atmosphere.

Location

Columbia, SC.

Role Summary

As a Construction Administrator you will be responsible for supporting the project teams and providing project process guidance.

Responsibilities

• Assist team with construction administration activities on projects.
• Read, interpret, and understand plans, specifications, and other contract documents.
• Read and understand terms and conditions of owner–architect agreements and owner–General Contractor (GC) contracts.
• Understand Construction Manager (CM) contract requirements and deliverables.
• Communicate with project architects, other CA’s, and consultants to resolve project issues in a timely and organized manner.
• Perform quality control throughout the project life cycle.
• Participate in mandatory monthly CA meetings on technology, best practices, lessons learned, and other relevant topics.
• Participate in CA and designated design studio periodic meetings as well as project team meetings.
• Perform field verification of existing project conditions alone or with architects and other CAs as needed.
• Assist with pre‑construction specification and drawing quality control and constructability reviews leading up to “for construction documents” issues.
• Identify engineering coordination issues, unclear or absent information, code compliance concerns, or construction method quality and scheduling concerns.
• Participate in project hand‑off from design to CA with Project Manager (PM) and Project Architect (PA).
• Review project schedule, design intent, special features, and budget along with client expectations.
• Maintain MPS record set documents, including filing, organization, updating with revisions and request for information (RFI) responses.
• Monitor project for construction document and recurring client standards compliance.
• Assist with issuance of document revisions prepared by designers.
• Issue revisions to the project team, file, and record in record documents.
• Process shop drawings and submittals promptly to ensure adequate time for review.
• Travel to project sites for site visits and project meetings.
• Prepare field observation reports, including photographs, to document each site visit and record all conversations and instructions.
• Attend Owner/Architect/Construction (OAC) meetings with PM, PA, and CA and record accurate meeting minutes for review and distribution.
• Assist team to promptly close action items generated during OAC meetings.
• Serve as liaison between owner(s) and contractor(s).
• Assist with generation and issuance of punch‑lists.
• Receive, review, and distribute third‑party and special inspections test reports and record deficiencies for tracking of correction.
• Review change‑order requests promptly and provide recommendations to PM, PA, or CA for processing to owner or client.
• Review payment applications and certify them as required.
• Review closeout documents as directed, provide comments for required corrections or additional information, and facilitate GC financial closeout in a timely manner.
• Participate in project team post‑construction closeout, including lessons‑learned discussions.
• Perform post‑construction services and investigations as needed.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or associate degree in construction science and/or management, architecture, engineering, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of combined experience in construction administration and/or architecture.
• Previous experience in an architecture, engineering, or construction industry firm.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to read and understand plan documents.
• Understanding of building technology fundamentals.
• Excellent time‑management skills.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks with many competing priorities.
• Ability to absorb new ideas and concepts quickly.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Exceptional organizational and follow‑through skills.
• Self‑motivated and able to work independently.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated cultural awareness and sensitivity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Bluebeam PDF Revu.
• Experience with Newforma Project Center.
• Experience with PlanGrid document management system.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to grasp objects, reach with hands and arms, balance, stop, kneel, or crouch, speak or listen. The employee must occasionally lift and/or carry up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to hazardous working conditions in conjunction with construction site visits. The noise level in the construction zone may be loud. While performing the duties of this job in the office work environment, the employee will not be exposed to hazardous working conditions. The noise level in the office work environment is usually moderate.

Equal Opportunity Employer

McMillan Pazdan Smith is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status or any classification protected by state or local law.

Contact

Email: [e-mail]