The Role
Here at DIALOG, we are passionate about design and believe it can and should meaningfully improve the wellbeing of our communities and the environment we all share.
We are a multi-disciplinary collaborative of architects, interior designers, urban designers and planners, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, and landscape architects who design for community wellbeing and urban vibrancy. We are a fun-loving bunch of big thinkers and do-gooders, who are collaborative in our approach, diverse in our perspectives, aspirational in our pursuits, and optimistic about what’s next. We’re always looking for passionate people who share our values and care as much about our communities as we do. We're proud to be a Certified B Corporation and 2024 Best of Practice Award Winner, committed to using our design practice as a force for good in the world.
Explore our studios and join us!
The Specifier will get it done! Working in concert with our Practice-wide Specifications Team, Project Management leads, Job Captains, and project teams you will prepare, execute, and manage the specification writing process while seeing your projects from beginning to end.
A perceptive and creative specifications professional, the successful candidate will have demonstrated experience and skills in editing specifications from a master guide document, knowledge of standard construction contracts, a passion for building science, an awareness of building construction and processes, and can communicate within a multidisciplinary team environment. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual who is ready to become a part of our Specifications Team, take ownership of the projects they are assigned and has experience with how architecture and engineering project inputs come together to create amazing work. Are you up for the challenge to grow into this amazing role?
How you'll make a difference:
- Plan, prepare, and review construction documents. Actively engage in the development and coordination of the drawings and specifications, consultant and discipline coordination, all while facilitating project schedule.
- You’re the point person for all things specifications; our Go To Person! You are a leader and trusted advisor to your colleagues across all of our disciplines. You will research and prepare updates to master specifications and apply that knowledge to the project documents
- You will foster effective working relationships with your project managers throughout the design and documentation process, and guide the project team on project specific aspects of bidding and contracting procedures, including the preparation and administration of addenda and bid revisions
- Be the “Thought Leader” – by maintaining currency of specification writing skills, aspects of building science, contract law and product research. Be aware of and seek guidance in the preparation of documents for multiphase projects, and projects with a variety of contract delivery models including Design-Built, Construction Managed, P3, or Integrated Project Delivery.
- Be the “Source” – you will review, edit and write architectural specifications, and work alongside other disciplines in the preparation of documents and the procurement and contracting portion of project manuals, and be responsible for coordination between specifications and drawings
- Be “Unique” – by working on and developing Preliminary Project Descriptions and Outline Specifications based on UniFormat methodologies
- Be a “Team Member” - assist with the management of workloads and project deadlines for the specification group
Who you are:
- Experience: We’re looking for someone with an aptitude for specifications and a passion for building science. Editing and writing specifications may have been a part of your regular work duties, or you may have a different balance of experience gained through design, construction contract administration or project management involving the administration and interpretation of the specification. There is an opportunity for an enthusiastic candidate to grow into this role.
- Education: Degree in architecture or engineering, or a diploma in architectural technology or other educational background relevant to the needs of the work
- Designation of either Certified Specification Practitioner (CSP) or Registered Specification Writer (RSW) an asset
Additional ASSETS that turn our heads:
- Experience: Specification writing on projects of varying scale, typology and project delivery model; building science expertise; construction contract administration experience.
- Awareness: Knowledge of construction specification formats including MasterFormat, UniFormat and SectionFormat, and awareness of OmniClass and its role in BIM
- Green Thinking: Knowledge of sustainable products and construction techniques including cradle- to- grave issues, environmentally responsible building products, life cycle assessment methodology, and sustainable certification standards (LEED®, WELL™, Living Building Challenge)
- Who You Know: Your experience within a large professional services organizations and contributions to sharing knowledge with your extended network
Don’t meet every single requirement? We still encourage you to apply! We’re looking for people who are eager to learn, bring unique perspectives, and want to make a real difference in the world—even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification.
Perks & Benefits
Parental leave top-up programs for all parents upon the birth or adoption of a child, RRSP matching, competitive medical and dental benefits coverage upon the first day of employment, discounted memberships, encouraged work/life balance with gifted time off during the holiday season and Vacation Buy-Up program, and reimbursement for professional memberships and dues are just a few of the benefits that DIALOGers enjoy.
Professional Development
DIALOG offers continued professional growth through leadership development opportunities specifically designed for our collaborative culture. Among others, some of our programs include: CoachDIALOG which equips our coaches with essential communication and feedback strategies for building great teams; Integrateducation™ supports DIALOGers in accredited continuing education opportunities; technical skills development via e-learning pathways; and financial support for relevant external learning opportunities.
Equal Opportunity
DIALOG celebrates diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive environment for all, free of discrimination and harassment. Employment-related decisions are made without regard to sex, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age and race. In accordance with DIALOG’s Accommodation Policy, accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request for candidates throughout the selection process.
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The Company
What We Do
Hello. Glad you stopped by. In fact, we were hoping you’d stop by because we’re unabashedly passionate about design and love to connect with those who feel the same.
We’re a team of architects, urban planners, interior designers, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, and landscape architects who truly believe design can, and should, meaningfully improve the wellbeing of our communities and the environment we all share.
And we don’t just say that. We mean it!
We’ve come together because we see the important challenges facing communities becoming increasingly complex. We believe the diverse perspectives and expertise of our multidisciplinary team uniquely position us to tackle these challenges in ways our competitors can't. We even have clients who would tell you we’ve made the impossible possible!
Our work includes designing for urban vibrancy, health and wellness, transportation, education, arts and culture, residential, retail, and commercial, as well as mixed-use solutions which incorporate an increasing number of these.
As a group of creatives, we’re known as people who think outside the box. But the truth is we’re usually pushing, pulling, cutting, carving, sketching and modelling our clients' needs that eventually become places for communities to enjoy.
If you’re interested in thinking outside the box with us, we want to hear from you
