Architect IV

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Architect IV 
Job Title: Architect IV 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Rgn 03-Regulatory Services 
Posting Number: 10126 
Closing Date: 11/08/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-28 
Salary Range: $7,716.66 - $13,051.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First); Evenings (Second); Nights (Third); Weekends 
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 85% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: ARLINGTON 
Job Location Address: 2561 MATLOCK RD 
Other Locations: Arlington 
MOS Codes: 32EX,510X,653X 
 
 
 

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

Life Safety Code Architect IV – Starting Market Rate Salary $128,136.33

Under the supervision of the Director, this position performs highly advanced (senior-level) architectural work performing the planning, design, and implementation of architectural and construction projects. Provides advanced consultative services and performs leadership functions by providing direction and guidance to highly specialized professionals. Leads complex and large-scope long-term care construction inspections and investigates complaints. Conducts annual, required, and initial surveys to determine compliance with state licensure and/or federal certification requirements. Identifies and writes deficiencies in accordance with program requirements and makes appropriate referrals to state and federal agencies. Accurately interprets codes, rules and regulations and prepares guidance letters. Reviews and approves federal survey reports, trains inspection staff, and coordinates travel. Works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. 

This position offers a competitive starting salary; excellent state benefits, including health insurance and retirement; and the opportunity to regularly travel to different facilities within a region and across the state – Please see the Additional Information section below for more detail on travel. This position is mobile and flexible and performs minimal work at an office, though the role does require writing reports detailing any deficiencies/violations against a facility and narrative to support regulatory determinations.

The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits, a lifetime monthly retirement annuity as well as 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

LSC Architect conducts on-site licensure inspections, complaint investigations, and annual comprehensive surveys in facilities to determine compliance with federal and state health and safety regulations.  Completes inspection or survey reports detailing deficiencies and narrative to support regulatory findings. Conducts entrance and exit conferences with facility staff regarding findings. Visits long-term care facilities to verify correction of previously cited regulatory violations. Performs quality assurance reviews of all reports. Might supervise the work of team members during inspections and lend expertise to a survey team. 

Communicates clearly and accurately with others (internally and externally) to provide, exchange, or verify information, answer inquiries, or resolve issues or complaints in Texas long-term care facilities.   

Coordinates with agency staff conducting health surveys of health care facilities for certification in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  

Provides high-level technical architectural assistance and interpretation to others on policies, procedures, rules, regulations, or standards. Plans and coordinates the design and construction of long-term care facilities, including its complex building systems to ensure codes and requirements are met. Provides code and policy interpretation to design professionals, facility directors and the public.  

Consults with other architects and engineers preparing architectural and construction plans to provide information and advice on applicable rules.   

Inspects final construction projects.   

Represents the agency with expert testimony for depositions, hearings, and/or trials involving actions taken against facilities on behalf of facility residents.  

Oversees and conducts field inspections and survey complaint investigations on highly complex and large-scoped long-term care facilities, and evaluates data to ensure compliance with codes, standards, Medicare regulations, and project requirements. Makes appropriate professional judgments and applies professional expertise in technical skills on fire safety design in evaluating long-term care facilities. Coordinates with contractors, construction managers, and other code officials. Coordinates inspection travel.  

Facilitates meetings with long-term care facility representatives (architects, engineers, contractors, long-term care providers, etc.). Determines functional and spatial requirements of new structures or renovations.  

Prepares state and federal reports, reduces facts to specific findings, and recommends solutions. Oversees and reviews drawings, blueprints, records, technical reports, structure specifications, materials, and equipment. Evaluates facility’s corrections for compliance with laws and specifications.  

Performs other duties as assigned. 

In the event of emergency licensure action, be available provide oversight at facility and monitor for life safety code concerns at providers within the LSC scope of work.

Be available for on-call duties for emergencies such as weather events or high-priority situations in facilities or at providers.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of architectural and design principles, techniques, and procedures; of construction methods and management; of engineering specifications related to design work; and of mathematical applications. 

Knowledge of long-term care industry and life safety applications. Knowledge of Long-Term Care safety codes.  

Knowledge of conducting long-term care inspections. Knowledge of the principles and practices of contract construction administration. 

Knowledge of fire safety principles, fire prevention practices, fire and safety hazards, fire control and protection equipment, and disaster preparedness principles. 

Skills in communicating effectively, intelligently, and professionally with public, stakeholders, and other State agencies.  

Skill in composing, editing, and proofreading correspondence and reports. Technical writing ability to prepare concise reports and business correspondence.  

Skill in the operation of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, SharePoint, and other applicable software.  

Skill in establishing and managing positive and professional business and working relationships with co-workers, other program personnel, and the public.  

Skill in project management monitoring.  

Skill in making program management decisions impacting service delivery.  

Skill in the use of architectural tools and problem solving.  

Ability to record that information by drafting correspondence.  

Ability to communicate verbally with various facility personnel to obtain required survey information.  

Ability to conduct interviews, record information, prepare case narratives/lengthy documents using word processing.  

Ability to learn, remember and integrate complex concepts and complicated processes involving long-term care Life Safety Code regulations.  

Ability to visualize architectural designs and to apply architectural concepts 

Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define complex problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. 

Ability to coordinate a substantial workload and oversee/prioritize multiple assignments with minimal supervision, and to exercise independent judgment.  

Ability to independently analyze new situations and respond with sound technical judgment.  

Ability to understand the urgency and set the priorities for the Unit.  

Ability to direct others yet work in a team environment with all levels of staff.  

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely. 

Ability to climb ladders and go through tight spaces, such as attics and mezzanines. 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Registered as an Architect by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners. 

Initial Screening Criteria:

Professional architectural experience that relates to evaluating buildings and structures for code compliance.   

Architectural experience with healthcare or long-term care facilities preferred. 

Additional Information:

Flexibility in work hours is required for this position. The job requires 80% travel, including statewide travel, overnight, and weekend travel. On-call duties for emergencies or high-priority situations in facilities or at providers may be required. Must have reliable transportation.

Note: This position is able to work a compressed workweek of four 10-hour days.

All applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check.

If you are offered and accept the position, you will not be permitted to continue employment at any HHSC regulated facilities or providers. You will be required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, secondary employment, volunteer activities, and friends/family who own, operate, or work at regulated providers.

If you are an active or former licensed nursing facility administrator, certified nurse aide, or medication aide, hiring will be pending until professional licensing and Employee Misconduct Registry checks are completed.

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.