This position is responsible for performing forensic investigations of architectural components of buildings and structures, managing projects, and developing a book of business in the forensic architecture market. Tasks include performing consulting and loss investigations, architectural analysis, and project management. Project work frequently includes field work to document existing conditions and alleged building and structure damages, review of design drawings and construction documents, and assessment of the means and methods of construction. Work product typically can include reports, presentations, graphics, and exhibits. Some cases also require preparing expert reports and delivering oral testimony in mediation, deposition, trial, or arbitration. A Senior Consultant has some clients of his/her own and also supports the work of other project managers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct investigations to determine the cause and origin of failures, damage, and defects for residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings due to a wide range of perils or alleged construction defects.
• Prepare scopes of work for remediation and/or design documents for repair of existing structures.
• Perform evaluations of existing buildings and review construction documents for new buildings to determine code conformance (e.g., California Building Standard Code, FBC, FEBC, IBC, IECC, handicap accessibility codes, etc.).
• Review data, information, and design documents to investigate the standards of care pertaining to various parties involved during the design and construction of building projects.
• Communicate regularly and directly with a variety of clients.
• Manage concurrent projects with varying sizes, scopes, client types, and durations.
• Provide deposition, mediation, arbitration and/or trial testimony.
• Conduct field inspections including photo/video documentation, testing, and data collection.
• Prepares clear and concise reports detailing observations made, tests conducted, and conclusions formed.
• Meets with and presents to peers and clients.
• Conducts research and develops technical topics for publication.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or Architecture from and ABET accredited school (required)
• Master's of Architecture a plus

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Architect license (Required to be licensed as an Architect in the State of California with the ability to obtain other State Licenses as needed)
• NCARB accreditation desired

Other Skills/Abilities or Other Qualifications:

• Experience working with hail, wind, fire, and earthquake damage including those that affect roofing and building envelope failures (Preferred)
• Strong command of fundamental building envelope principals, such as the role of water-resistant barriers, proper window/door flashing, proper roof/wall flashing, etc.
• Working knowledge of building codes and ability to conduct independent research of codes, standards, and other technical references.
• Ability to develop remedial design plans, specifications, and competitive bidding documents
• Ability to develop and manage construction schedules including managing the project's critical path.
• Possess on-site project managements skills including the ability to work constructively with diverse technical specialists and trades people.
• Knowledge or experience with the creation of construction documents, contracts, ASIs, RFIs, Contractor Request for Payments, punch lists, Substantial Completion forms, etc.
• Possess an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the various parties in the construction process including the owner, engineer, architect, contractor, consultants, subcontractors, etc.
• Strong analytical skills and the desire and ability to tackle complex problems and multi-disciplinary projects.
• The ability to clearly communicate architectural issues, verbally and in writing, to audiences with varying technical proficiency.
• Desire and ability to work on multiple projects at a time.
• Strong desire to develop a book of business as a consultant, including independently performing business development with support and resources from regional business development staff.
• Prompt responsiveness to inquiries from peers and clients, sometimes outside of normal working hours.
• Flexibility with respect to work schedule and travel. Travel is a requirement of the position, occasionally with little advance notice.
• Desire to continually develop and refine technical knowledge through targeted continuing education.

Experience Requirements:

• 8 - 15 years' experience
• Ability to interact with clients in a professional manner and develop business both internally and externally.
• Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner both orally and in writing.
• Experience preparing technical reports and providing expert testimony desired.
• Must be available to travel occasionally as part of the national practice.
• Multidisciplinary project management preferred.

Computer Skills:

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint as well as Adobe Acrobat Professional. Windows Operating System experience highly preferred. Intermediate skills in graphics programs, Internet browsers, and database programs.

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 and sit. Travel and field inspections may involve walking, climbing, and carrying equipment up to 30 pounds.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Most of the work is in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Work may occasionally be outdoors, in an industrial workplace, a construction site, or in unheated buildings and might be in noisy and dirty work spaces.

It is the policy of ESI, as an equal opportunity employer, to attract and retain the best qualified individuals available, without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status. ESI is committed to recruiting, hiring, and promoting people with disabilities, as well as veterans. If you need assistance with completing the electronic application, please email your request to