Intermediate Architectural Associate
Designing Justice + Designing Spaces, Oakland, CA, United States
Our Work
We are an architecture and real estate development social enterprise creating spaces that embody justice, healing, and self-determination. By designing with communities most impacted by incarceration and disinvestment, we build infrastructure that supports community ownership, redistributes power, and lays the foundation for a world rooted in care, not punishment.
How You Fit In Title:
Intermediate Architectural Associate
Location:
Bay Area, CA — Hybrid (3 days/week in office)
Salary Range:
$85,000–$110,000
Reports To:
Studio Director
You love our mission, bring excellent design skills across a variety of project scales, and are excited to apply those skills to community engagement, finance, and real estate development projects throughout California and across the country. You'll play a key role in advancing DJDS's design projects by contributing both technical rigor and creative vision. Your work will ensure that community input is honored in every phase and that design intent is carried through to completion.
Who You Are
Currently based in the California Bay Area and eligible to work in the U.S.
Hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture
5–7 years of professional experience across all phases of architectural design
Skilled in producing full drawing sets, construction detailing, and coordinating with consultants and engineers
Strong knowledge of construction materials, standards, and details
Experience with pre-design, building programming, code research, and navigating entitlement and permitting processes
Proficient in Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and Google Apps
Strong model‑making skills (physical and digital)
Excellent verbal and written communication, strong organizational skills, and a collaborative interpersonal style; comfortable representing DJDS in public forums and community settings
High emotional intelligence, cultural competency, and a solutions‑oriented mindset when navigating challenges
Ability to take both initiative and direction; accountable and open to feedback
Deep commitment to justice and equity, with an understanding of systemic racism and its impacts; embrace community‑led, cross‑disciplinary design processes
Professional, adaptable, teachable, and aligned with DJDS's mission and values
Experience That's Helpful But Not Required
Familiarity with the programming phase of architectural design
Fabrication or 3D printing experience
Trauma‑informed design knowledge
Public speaking and facilitation skills
Community engagement experience
Spanish fluency
Graphic design, sketching, or illustration skills
What You'll Lead
Prepare design diagrams, design studies, and conceptual design presentation materials; present design materials to clients when appropriate.
Advance design concepts through technical phases, ensuring documentation reflects intent and execution.
Contribute technical drawings and design support across projects including new construction, adaptive reuse, renovation, housing, commercial, education, and mixed‑use developments.
Support all phases of drawing production with experience in detailing, integration, and contract documents.
Conduct building code and zoning research, including working knowledge of California codes, zoning, and permitting processes.
Assist with construction administration tasks, including RFIs, consultant/contractor coordination, and close‑out documentation.
Support community engagement efforts and translate engagement findings into building programs, design ideas, and narratives.
Provide mentorship and support to interns or junior staff as needed.
Where You'll Collaborate
Work closely with the Design Director and design team on concept design, development, and presentations using both analog (sketching, model‑making) and digital tools.
Partner with the Community Engagement Manager to translate engagement findings into design strategies and narratives.
Collaborate on FF&E selection, lighting, finishes, and millwork documentation.
Engage with consultants, contractors, and community stakeholders to integrate technical and community perspectives.
Collaborate with Communications and Real Estate teams as part of DJDS's integrated project approach.
Benefits
Annual salary range of $85,000–$110,000, depending on experience
This is a full‑time, salaried position with a hybrid work structure. While in‑person collaboration is essential to our process, we also support flexibility and work‑life balance.
DJDS covers 100% of medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their children under age 26, with optional coverage for domestic partners, long‑term disability, and life insurance
Paid time off includes vacation (tiered by tenure), sick leave, bereavement, jury duty, and 16 total holidays (12 standard plus 4 flexible/personal days)
Up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave supported by state and DJDS supplemental pay
Sabbatical eligibility after 7 years of service, including 12 weeks paid leave and reduced‑load continuation
We value curiosity, lived experience, and a deep commitment to community. We're building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, and we're excited to learn more about what you bring to the work.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
How You Fit In Title:
Intermediate Architectural Associate
Location:
Bay Area, CA — Hybrid (3 days/week in office)
Salary Range:
$85,000–$110,000
Reports To:
Studio Director
You love our mission, bring excellent design skills across a variety of project scales, and are excited to apply those skills to community engagement, finance, and real estate development projects throughout California and across the country. You'll play a key role in advancing DJDS's design projects by contributing both technical rigor and creative vision. Your work will ensure that community input is honored in every phase and that design intent is carried through to completion.
Who You Are
Currently based in the California Bay Area and eligible to work in the U.S.
Hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture
5–7 years of professional experience across all phases of architectural design
Skilled in producing full drawing sets, construction detailing, and coordinating with consultants and engineers
Strong knowledge of construction materials, standards, and details
Experience with pre-design, building programming, code research, and navigating entitlement and permitting processes
Proficient in Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and Google Apps
Strong model‑making skills (physical and digital)
Excellent verbal and written communication, strong organizational skills, and a collaborative interpersonal style; comfortable representing DJDS in public forums and community settings
High emotional intelligence, cultural competency, and a solutions‑oriented mindset when navigating challenges
Ability to take both initiative and direction; accountable and open to feedback
Deep commitment to justice and equity, with an understanding of systemic racism and its impacts; embrace community‑led, cross‑disciplinary design processes
Professional, adaptable, teachable, and aligned with DJDS's mission and values
Experience That's Helpful But Not Required
Familiarity with the programming phase of architectural design
Fabrication or 3D printing experience
Trauma‑informed design knowledge
Public speaking and facilitation skills
Community engagement experience
Spanish fluency
Graphic design, sketching, or illustration skills
What You'll Lead
Prepare design diagrams, design studies, and conceptual design presentation materials; present design materials to clients when appropriate.
Advance design concepts through technical phases, ensuring documentation reflects intent and execution.
Contribute technical drawings and design support across projects including new construction, adaptive reuse, renovation, housing, commercial, education, and mixed‑use developments.
Support all phases of drawing production with experience in detailing, integration, and contract documents.
Conduct building code and zoning research, including working knowledge of California codes, zoning, and permitting processes.
Assist with construction administration tasks, including RFIs, consultant/contractor coordination, and close‑out documentation.
Support community engagement efforts and translate engagement findings into building programs, design ideas, and narratives.
Provide mentorship and support to interns or junior staff as needed.
Where You'll Collaborate
Work closely with the Design Director and design team on concept design, development, and presentations using both analog (sketching, model‑making) and digital tools.
Partner with the Community Engagement Manager to translate engagement findings into design strategies and narratives.
Collaborate on FF&E selection, lighting, finishes, and millwork documentation.
Engage with consultants, contractors, and community stakeholders to integrate technical and community perspectives.
Collaborate with Communications and Real Estate teams as part of DJDS's integrated project approach.
Benefits
Annual salary range of $85,000–$110,000, depending on experience
This is a full‑time, salaried position with a hybrid work structure. While in‑person collaboration is essential to our process, we also support flexibility and work‑life balance.
DJDS covers 100% of medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their children under age 26, with optional coverage for domestic partners, long‑term disability, and life insurance
Paid time off includes vacation (tiered by tenure), sick leave, bereavement, jury duty, and 16 total holidays (12 standard plus 4 flexible/personal days)
Up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave supported by state and DJDS supplemental pay
Sabbatical eligibility after 7 years of service, including 12 weeks paid leave and reduced‑load continuation
We value curiosity, lived experience, and a deep commitment to community. We're building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, and we're excited to learn more about what you bring to the work.
#J-18808-Ljbffr