Architectural Council Submission Specialist

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized Architect / Architectural Technologist specializing in Council Submissions and Municipal Approvals. In this role, you will not be responsible for conceptual design or contract administration; instead, your sole focus will be translating approved designs into compliant, submission-ready documentation, navigating municipal bylaws, and managing the end-to-end approval process with local councils.

RESPONSITILITIES

Documentation & Compliance

• Plan Preparation: Convert design concepts into precise working drawings, site plans, elevations, and sections specifically formatted for local authority submission.
• Bylaw Compliance Check: Review all architectural drawings against local town planning schemes, zoning laws, building regulations (e.g., SANS 10400), title deeds, and land-use restrictions.
• Documentation Compilation: Gather and organize all mandatory submission components, including application forms, zoning certificates, SG diagrams, engineer-signed certificates, and energy efficiency calculations.

Council Liaison & Workflow Management

• Submission Management: Manually or digitally lodge applications through the respective municipal portals or council offices.
• Track & Trace: Proactively monitor the progress of submissions through various municipal departments (e.g., Town Planning, Fire, Health, Water, and Sanitation).
• Query Resolution: Act as the primary point of contact for council examiners, swiftly addressing queries, amending drawings as requested, and resolving bottlenecks to secure final approval.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinate with external consultants (Civil/Structural Engineers, Town Planners, Land Surveyors) to ensure their documentation aligns perfectly with the submission set.

REQUIREMENTS

• Education: Degree or Diploma in Architecture or Architectural Technology.
• Professional Registration: Active registration with the relevant professional body (e.g., SACAP in South Africa) with the appropriate category of registration to sign off plans.
• Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of dedicated experience dealing specifically with local municipal councils and plan submission workflows.
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency in CAD/BIM software (Revit, AutoCAD, or ArchiCAD).
  • In-depth, up-to-date knowledge of local building regulations, zoning bylaws, and National Building Regulations.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional patience, strong negotiation and communication skills, meticulous attention to detail, and robust problem-solving abilities.