Design Specialist 2

Ohio Department of Administrative Services; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ohio Department of Administrative Services in Columbus is seeking a skilled Design Specialist to develop space layouts, review drawings and coordinate design activities for state agencies and facilities.

You will work with engineering/design staff, reviews for compliance with codes, and communicate project changes to stakeholders, ensuring accurate documentation and planning throughout the project life cycle.

Qualifications

• Experience in planning and design for state projects or facilities.
• Knowledge of interior space design and facilities planning.
• Proficiency with CAD/drafting software and office productivity tools.

Responsibilities

• Prepare original design work for state projects and review engineers’ work.
• Determine interior space and facility needs including tenant improvements.
• Coordinate with building owners, vendors and staff to obtain information and manage project activities.

Skills

Planning & Development

Project Management

Real Estate

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Access

Outlook

MicroStation CAD

OAKS

Job description

• Prepares original design work for state projects, reviews work performed by engineers & suggests corrections & improvements:
• Determines interior space & facility needs including tenant improvements for state agencies, boards, commissions & elected officials;
• Meets with housing coordinators & contacts, building owners, contractors, furniture & equipment vendors, building management & trades personnel to obtain information, monitor project activities & communicate change orders;
• Prepares & develops space layouts, drawings & performance plans (e.g., design proposals, demolition plans, construction plans, electrical plans, furniture plans & reflected ceiling plans) using computer-aided design & drafting (CADD) software & systems; reviews & ensures accuracy of blueprints, drawings, layouts & performance
• Plans prepared by engineering, architectural or design personnel or Office of Real Estate & Planning;
• Coordinates & reviews bids, proposals, engineering work & specifications, estimates & plans for tenant & building improvements with other department offices & state entity clientele;
• Inspects projects & monitors progress;
• Ensures compliance with approved drawings, plans, applicable codes, regulations & standards.
• Attends meetings & acts as coordinator for design segment of projects:
• Develops & implements building improvement & planning & design activities for state agencies, boards, commissions, & elected officials housed in state-owned buildings & privately leased facilities;
• Counsels state entity personnel, contractors & building owners on planning & design practices, policies & procedures;
• Assists in development of planning & design standards & space allocation methodologies;
• Participates in building occupant strategies & programs;
• Advises & consults state entities on procedures for relocating aspects of moving staff & equipment;
• Researches & analyzes materials, information & program activity within assigned area of responsibilities; coordinates & acts as liaison with state agencies, boards, commissions, elected officials & other building occupants to facilitate various phases of Department’s space management program;
• Coordinates with & directs building management staff in services & other accommodations necessary for managing space occupied by state entity clientele & other building occupants;
• Reviews space concerns & needs from building occupants; reports findings & proposes corrective action
• Submits project status reports & activity logs;
• Maintains records on project activities;
• Documents state entity inquiries, directives & decisions concerning planning & design activities & housing needs;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Primary Responsibilities

• Prepares original design work for state projects, reviews work performed by engineers & suggests corrections & improvements:
• Determines interior space & facility needs including tenant improvements for state agencies, boards, commissions & elected officials;
• Meets with housing coordinators & contacts, building owners, contractors, furniture & equipment vendors, building management & trades personnel to obtain information, monitor project activities & communicate change orders;
• Prepares & develops space layouts, drawings & performance plans (e.g., design proposals, demolition plans, construction plans, electrical plans, furniture plans & reflected ceiling plans) using computer-aided design & drafting (CADD) software & systems; reviews & ensures accuracy of blueprints, drawings, layouts & performance
• Plans prepared by engineering, architectural or design personnel or Office of Real Estate & Planning;
• Coordinates & reviews bids, proposals, engineering work & specifications, estimates & plans for tenant & building improvements with other department offices & state entity clientele;
• Inspects projects & monitors progress;
• Ensures compliance with approved drawings, plans, applicable codes, regulations & standards.
• Attends meetings & acts as coordinator for design segment of projects:
• Develops & implements building improvement & planning & design activities for state agencies, boards, commissions, & elected officials housed in state-owned buildings & privately leased facilities;
• Counsels state entity personnel, contractors & building owners on planning & design practices, policies & procedures;
• Assists in development of planning & design standards & space allocation methodologies;
• Participates in building occupant strategies & programs;
• Advises & consults state entities on procedures for relocating aspects of moving staff & equipment;
• Researches & analyzes materials, information & program activity within assigned area of responsibilities; coordinates & acts as liaison with state agencies, boards, commissions, elected officials & other building occupants to facilitate various phases of Department’s space management program;
• Coordinates with & directs building management staff in services & other accommodations necessary for managing space occupied by state entity clientele & other building occupants;
• Reviews space concerns & needs from building occupants; reports findings & proposes corrective action
• Prepares various planning & design reports:
• Maintains project files;
• Submits project status reports & activity logs;
• Prepares correspondence;
• Maintains records on project activities;
• Documents state entity inquiries, directives & decisions concerning planning & design activities & housing needs;
• Performs other related duties as required.

3 yrs. trg. &/or exp. in engineering or engineering design technology which included 1 course or 3 mos. trg. &/or exp. in one of following: shop math, geometry, trigonometry or calculus & 1 course or 3 mos. trg. &/or exp. in reading blueprints &/or specifications; or demonstrate proficiency.

• Or 12 mos. exp. as Design Specialist 1, 85821 or in comparable position involving performance of engineering design work.

Job Skills:

Engineering

Knowledge of

• Engineering design;
• Interior space design;
• Facilities planning & design or architecture;
• Public relations*;
• Public budgeting & spending;
• Applicable building codes & building safety regulations*;
• Office space feasibility assessment.

Skill In

• Operation of PC with applicable hardware & software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, MicroStation CAD, OAKS*).

Ability To

• Understand engineering designs;
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts & draw valid conclusions;
• Prepare, read & interpret specifications, drawings & blueprints;
• Use statistical analysis;
• Handle sensitive contacts with government officials, contractors & public;
• Co-operate with co-workers on group projects;
• Manage multi-phased interior design projects

Organization

Administrative Services

Agency Contact Name and Information

[e-mail]

Unposting Date

Aug 20, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation

PR 31 $28.76-38.01 (Full range)

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours

8:00a-5:00p

Classified Indicator

Classified

Union

OCSEA

Technical Skills

Planning and Development, Project Management, Real Estate

Professional Skills

Organizing and Planning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Agency Overview

The Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) takes great pride in its work to support the priorities of the DeWine-Tressel administration to ease access for those doing business with the state, secure state data and technology resources, and create efficiencies for our state government partners while keeping costs in check.

DAS is the engine of state government, providing innovative solutions and supporting the efficient operation of state agencies, boards, and commissions. DAS program areas serve our Ohio government customers, who in turn directly serve the interests of Ohioans. We help procure goods and services, deliver information technology and mail, recruit and train personnel, promote equal access to the state workforce, lease and manage office space, process payroll, print publications, and perform a variety of other services.

The Office of Real Estate and Planning provides state entities with diverse services related to office space and real estate needs. Services include office space assessments, space allocation, planning and design and project management activities; commercial leasing, acquisition and disposal of real estate; transfers of property between state entities; leasing of state buildings and land; appraisal review and valuation; surveyor services; and oversight of eminent domain actions.