Designing Justice + Designing Spaces - NYC

Role Description We are an architecture and real estate development social enterprise creating spaces that embody justice, healing, and self-determination. By designing with communities most impacted by incarceration and disinvestment, we build infrastructure that supports community ownership, redistributes power, and lays the foundation for a world rooted in care, not punishment. To achieve this mission our team is composed of architects, designers, real estate developers and community members working together to create solutionary spaces and places that bring dignity, well-being and care to the communities we serve. Qualifications - Based in New York City and eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship - Hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture - Bring 15+ years of architectural experience, including senior responsibility leading projects across all phases - Licensed architect or actively and seriously on the path to licensure; NY licensure (or active NCARB reciprocity path) is required - Advanced proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite - Strong knowledge of building codes including IBC, NYC Building Code, and familiarity with DOB and FDNY processes - Experience leading large-scale development and master planning projects - Working knowledge of sustainable design strategies and collaboration with consultants for energy efficient systems - An entrepreneurial mindset; self-starter who can operate with autonomy in a distributed, lean environment - A clear communicator with high emotional intelligence, adaptability, and leadership presence - Justice-centered, collaborative, growth-oriented, and genuinely open to feedback - Culturally competent and actively committed to deepening that competency - Comfortable being pushed, shaped, and sharpened Requirements - Experience in fabrication, modular construction, or product development (helpful but not required) - Familiarity with trauma-informed or restorative justice frameworks (helpful but not required) - Public speaking experience (helpful but not required) - Urban design experience (helpful but not required) - Experience building or leading mentorship and knowledge-sharing initiatives (helpful but not required) - Community engagement facilitation or workshop leadership (helpful but not required) Benefits - DJDS covers 100% of medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their children under age 26 - Optional coverage for domestic partners, long-term disability, and life insurance - Paid time off includes vacation (tiered by tenure), sick leave, bereavement, jury duty, and 16 total holidays (12 standard plus 4 flexible/personal days) - Up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave supported by state and DJDS supplemental pay - Sabbatical eligibility after 7 years of service, including 12 weeks paid leave and reduced load continuation How to Apply Please submit a resume, cover letter, and portfolio. Resume and portfolio should be combined into one PDF and uploaded together. If your portfolio is hosted online, you may upload your resume and provide a link instead. Your portfolio should demonstrate: - Primary authorship and leadership on projects - Design thinking, technical execution, and collaborative process - Any fabrication, research, or creative work that supports your practice Ready to Apply? If this role resonates with you, we encourage you to apply—even if your experience doesn’t match every requirement. We value curiosity, lived experience, and a deep commitment to community. We’re building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, and we’re excited to learn more about what you bring to the work.