specification writer

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a specifications professional who takes pride in precision and is genuinely curious about how buildings evolve. This is not a template-editing position. This is a thinking role for someone who understands construction, cares about life-safety, appreciates innovative, sustainable yet practical materials and methods, and can translate complex technical information into clear, coordinated documents that support great design and life-safety.

Working across educational and community facilities, affordable and supportive housing, and mixed-use market developments, our specifications are foundational to delivering thoughtful, resilient, and well-executed buildings. This role plays a central part in that mission.

What You’ll Be Doing

You will serve as SOA’s technical documentation leader, that others rely on for clarity, sound judgement and documentation excellence.

• Interpret drawings and design intent, prepare comprehensive specifications / project manuals
• Develop, update and maintain master specification templates across multiple sectors
• Prepare addenda, contract documentation, bid revisions and construction phase specification updates
• Ensure alignment between drawings and specifications to minimize gaps, ambiguity and misinterpretation
• Apply strong knowledge of life-safety requirements, sustainable materials and environmentally responsible construction methods
• Remain current with emerging materials, innovative systems and evolving industry standards
• Evaluate products and maintain an organized product library
• Work closely with project teams and consultants to support coordination and quality control
• Contribute technical writing expertise to support marketing and proposal materials

Who We’re Looking For

• Diploma or post-secondary degree in Technical Writing, Architecture, or Building Sciences
• 3+ years’ experience in architectural specification and/or technical writing
• Completion of the CSC Principles of Construction Documentation and Specifier courses, preferably with a CSC designation of Registered Specifications Writer (RSW) or Certified Specification Practitioner (CSP)
• Strong understanding of current BC Building Code, Step Code, life-safety requirements, MasterFormat specifications, CAN/CSA/ULC standards
• Experience preparing and revising CCDC contracts
• Demonstrated proficiency in reading, writing, and interpreting architectural drawings, specifications and addenda
• Experience across educational, community, housing or mixed-use development sectors
• Demonstrated ability to prepare clear, coordinated, technically sound architectural project manuals from design documentation
• Excellent English written and verbal communication skills

You’ll Fit In Here If You Are:

• Detail-oriented and proactive — you notice gaps before they become problems
• Resourceful and curious — you stay current with products and emerging construction methods
• Organized and systems-minded — you enjoy building and refining specification systems
• Comfortable working independently while thriving in a collaborative team environment
• Able to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines within a creative, high-performance culture
• Clear and precise in your communication, especially when explaining technical information
• Motivated by learning, growth, and the challenge of raising documentation standards
• A team player who believes great spaces are the result of strong collaboration
• Like an open-concept office where ideas (and snacks) are shared

Life at SOA

SOA is a group of talented people who genuinely enjoy what they do — and each other. It’s the kind of place where people pitch in, keep it real, and find time to have some fun along the way. Life-work balance actually means something here. We take Friday afternoons off through the summer to make space for family, hobbies, or a little extra time outdoors. We celebrate wins together with team and family events, and our annual retreats are just plain fun. From SOA book clubs and design Fridays to hikes, fundraisers, and the occasional softball or paintball game — we keep things lively.

What We Offer

• Starting at $70,000 (negotiable based on experience)
• Full-time, in-person at our Chilliwack studio
• Friday afternoons off all summer, plus paid vacation and extended health (fully covered by SOA)
• Development supports included – because we want to see you grow here
• Join a fantastic group of people who show up, work hard, and have fun together

Why Chilliwack?

Live where you’d vacation. Families can afford a house. Shorts in winter. Mountains, lakes, and rivers right in your backyard. You can read on the beach, paddle after work, or ski on the weekend — and still catch the Canucks game that night. Chilliwack offers a balanced lifestyle and a strong sense of community, without the city rush. Several SOA team members have made the move to the Lower Mainland and haven’t looked back.