Co-op Student (Architect)

About Us

The Department of Justice is committed to the fair and effective administration of justice and to excellence in service to the people of Nova Scotia.

The Facilities group under the Policy and Information Management division supports manages the design, construction and renovations of all Department of Justice facilities with key focus on improving service delivery, accessibility, safety and security for Nova Scotians using these facilities.

The work includes the design and construction of new buildings and renovations of existing justice facilities ranging in value from $1,000 up to $100,000,000 and encompassing building types such as provincially owned and leased buildings occupied as regional Courthouses, Justice Centres, Correctional Facilities (jails), Justice Supports and Services Division offices, Legal Services Division offices, and the department's head office in Halifax.

About Our Opportunity

As an Architecture Co-op Student, you will gain hands-on experience supporting the design and development of justice facility projects. You will have the opportunity to learn about justice facilities from an experienced architectural technician, project managers, and technical professionals from the Department of Public works that support and contribute to real-world projects in justice facilities.

We will provide you with all required technical and protective equipment, and as a bonus, you get to keep the work boots we provide when your summer work ends. We also offer opportunities to participate in safety training courses. Mileage and meals will be provided for site visits outside of Halifax.

Primary Accountabilities

Reporting to the Manager, Project Management of Capital Construction you will assist in various tasks related to architectural design, project documentation, construction administration, and project planning including:

• Assisting the Facilities Coordinator in the design development of new projects.
• Supporting the collection of space program documentation from client stakeholders for Space utilization Committee review.
• Reviewing and assisting in implementation of recommendations from Accessibility Audit of Department of Justice facilities.
• Assisting in the coordination and documentation of Lessons Learned for completed projects.
• Preparing construction drawings for low value renovations projects.
• Assisting on the preparation of request for service submissions to the Department of Public Works.
• Helping prepare Requests for Service submissions to the Department of Public Works for their support with leasing matters, furniture purchasing, Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for design services, project tendering and engagement of provincial trades services on low value renovation projects.
• Reviewing architectural drawings and specifications and Courthouse Design Standards Manual to gain familiarity with justice facility design requirements.
• Attending project meetings with internal staff, consultants, and contractors, and other resource personnel from Department of Public Works.
• Conducting site visits to review existing conditions and assess project needs.
• Supporting project tracking and documentation related to architectural scope.
  

Qualifications and Experience

You are currently enrolled in a post-secondary program related to Architecture or a similar field and will be returning to school for the fall semester (or the next applicable semester for your program). Travel throughout the province may be required. You demonstrate an interest in building design, construction, and public infrastructure and are a self-starter. You have strong communication skills and are comfortable working both independently and, in a team, setting.

What you'll need to succeed:

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and stay organized.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical thinking.
• Self-motivation and the ability to work independently.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse teams, including engineers, architects, contractors and Department of Justice service providers.
• Interest in accessibility standards and justice facility design.
• Excellent communication skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Professional Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Experience with Autodesk AutoCAD.
• Experience in preparation of construction drawings.
• Understanding of project specifications and construction project management concepts.
• Familiarity with Nova Scotia Building Code and accessibility provisions is an asset.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.
• Primarily office-based work with opportunities for field visits.
• Some travel to project sites, including active construction zones.
  

Additional Information

Please note this is a Co-op position for current students in a related educational program/course.

There is one (1) position available in Halifax. This opportunity will start approximately May 26th, 2025, with an anticipated end date of August 29, 2025.

The successful candidate(s) will need to submit a copy of their driver's abstract.

If you are passionate about architecture and want to gain valuable experience in public infrastructure design, we encourage you to apply!