Saskatchewan JobFutures

Nature of Work

Professionals in this occupational group establish and maintain property boundaries and plan and develop landscape and building designs. They are employed in government, architectural, engineering and landscape consulting and contracting firms, private corporations, and private sector surveying firms. They may also work for land developers or be self-employed.

Nature of Work

Professionals in this occupational group establish and maintain property boundaries and plan and develop landscape and building designs. They are employed in government, architectural, engineering and landscape consulting and contracting firms, private corporations, and private sector surveying firms. They may also work for land developers or be self-employed.

Duties

Architects usually specialize in a particular type of construction, such as residential, commercial, industrial or institutional. Consequently, architectural duties may vary considerably from one position to another. There are, however, general duties that are common to most professionals in this field. Most architects conceptualize, plan and develop designs for the construction and renovation of commercial, institutional and residential buildings. They are employed by architectural firms, private corporations and governments, or they may be self-employed.

More specific architectural duties include consulting with clients to determine the type, style and purpose of renovations or new building construction being considered. Architects also conceptualize and design buildings and develop plans describing design specifications, building materials, costs and construction schedules. Other duties include preparing sketches and models for clients, preparing or supervising the preparation of blueprints for use by contractors and tradespersons, and hiring and supervising contractors and other personnel involved with construction. Many architects are also responsible for conducting feasibility studies and financial analyses of building projects and for supervising activities on construction sites to ensure compliance with specifications.

Landscape architects conceptualize landscape designs, develop contract documents and oversee the construction of landscape development of commercial projects, office complexes, parks, golf courses and residential development. They are employed by architectural and engineering firms, landscape consulting firms, landscape contractors, and by government environmental and development agencies. Some landscape architects are self-employed.

The specific duties of landscape architects may vary considerably from one position or project to another. Nevertheless, there are several duties common to most architects in this field. Most landscape architects confer with clients to determine design needs, survey and assess designated sites, and develop designs. This work involves consideration of many variables, including landscape features, buildings, climate, and the future usage of the site. Many landscape architects are also responsible for preparing or overseeing the preparation of site plans, reports, sketches, models, photographs, maps, land use studies and design plans.

Landscape architects also prepare or oversee the preparation of detailed drawings for sites. These drawings may include trees, shrubs, gardens, lighting, walkways, patios, decks, benches, fences, retaining walls, fountains and other features. Their other duties include estimating costs, preparing specifications and evaluating tenders for landscape construction projects and conduct environmental design studies, including environmental assessment, planning and the preservation and re-creation of historical sites. Some landscape architects manage and supervise landscape construction work.

Urban and land use planners develop plans and recommend policies for managing the utilization of land, physical facilities and associated services for urban and rural areas and remote regions. They are employed by land developers, engineering and other consulting companies and by all levels of government. They may also work as private consultants.

Specific duties for planners in this field include compiling and analyzing data on demographic, economic, legal, political, cultural, sociological, physical and other factors affecting land use. Planners also confer with municipal, provincial and federal authorities, civic leaders, social scientists, lawyers, land developers, the public and special interest groups to formulate and develop land use or community plans. They may also be responsible for preparing and recommending land development concepts and plans for zoning, subdivisions, transportation, public utilities, community facilities, parks, agricultural and other land uses.

Other land use planning duties include presenting plans to civic, rural and regional authorities; holding public meetings to present plans, proposals or planning studies to the general public and special interest groups; and preparing plans for environmental protection, such as wildlife preserves, national and provincial parks, and protection of watersheds. Planners may also be responsible for reviewing and evaluating proposals for land use and development plans, preparing recommendations, and processing applications for land development permits to administer land use plans and zoning by-laws.

Some planners in this field formulate long range objectives and policies relative to future land use and the protection of the environment. They may also supervise and co-ordinate work of urban planning technicians and technologists.

Land surveyors plan, direct and conduct legal surveys to establish real property boundaries and prepare and maintain official plans, records and documents pertaining to these surveys. They are employed by federal, provincial and municipal governments and private sector land surveying establishments, or they may be self-employed.

Land surveyors are generally responsible for developing survey plans, methods and procedures for conducting legal surveys. They also plan, direct and supervise or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries of properties, parcels of lands, utility rights-of-way, roadways and highways, and subdivisions of land for rural and urban development. Other surveying duties include recording all measurements and other information obtained during survey activities, certifying and assuming liability for surveys made to establish real property boundaries, and advising and providing legal consultation on matters related to legal surveys. Most land surveyors also prepare or supervise the preparation and compilation of all data, plans, charts, records and documents related to surveys of real property boundaries.

Example Titles

Architects:

• chief architect
• architect
• architectural standards specialist
• consulting architect
• industrial and commercial buildings architect
• residential architect

Landscape architect:

• architect, landscape
• landscape architect

Urban and land use planers:

• community and urban planner
• environment planner
• recreation planner
• city planner
• land use planner
• municipal planner

regional planner:

• urban planner
• long range planner
• planner
• planning analyst
• park planner

Land surveyors:

• commissioned land surveyor
• legal surveyor
• property surveyor
• land surveyor
• professional land surveyor

Training Paths

There no degree programs in architecture or landscape architecture offered in Saskatchewan. However, University of Saskatchewan offers Pre-Architecture courses for students intending to apply for admission to a School of Architecture and a Bachelor of Arts degree program in Regional and Urban Development. The University of Regina may offer some pre-professional studies that are required for admission to a school of architecture (admission requirements vary).

Saskatchewan universities offer various degree programs related to occupations in this group. University of Regina offers a Bachelor/Master of Applied Science program in Environmental systems Engineering. As well, both University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in Arts/Science in Geography. SIAST offers a diploma program in Architectural and Building Technologies. Degree programs in Geomatics or Survey Science are not available in Saskatchewan. However, SIAST offers a Geomatics diploma program.

Trends and Outlooks

The employment prospects for this occupation are: fair

This is not a large occupation in Saskatchewan. However, employment numbers for architects, urban planners and land surveyors increased in the province during the last few years - by 65 jobs between 2001 and 2006, according to Statistics Canada. Architects, land surveyors and urban and land use planners accounted for this growth; the number of landscape architects in Saskatchewan remained small.

Whether or not this growth continues, job seekers can anticipate a number of job openings in the next few years, due to retirement or other turnover. This is a fairly old work force; 54% of all workers in this category were at least 45 years of age in 2006. As many of these older workers retire or take leave in the next decade, positions will become available. Most of the positions that do become available are expected in the professional, scientific and technical services industries.

Architects, urban planners and land surveyors are well paid in Saskatchewan. In 2005, the average full-time income in this occupational group was $62,776 per year. This marks a significant increase from $56,726--the full-time, annual average in 2000 and remains well above the 2005 provincial full-time average ($42,298 per year). Many architects, urban planners and land planners earn much more or less than the average income. Incomes for architects, urban planners and land planners are generally higher in and around Regina and Saskatoon than elsewhere in the province.

The majority of architects, urban planners and land surveyors in the province work full time. In 2005, 66% of all professionals in these fields were employed on a full-time basis. This is unchanged from 2000. The proportion of women working in these fields remained low; only 14% of all architects, urban planners and land surveyors in Saskatchewan were female in 2006. Employment for most of these fields of work is concentrated in Saskatchewan's two large cities. Regina and Saskatoon account for nearly 70% of the work force in this group. Self-employment is very common among architects, urban planners and land surveyors.

The role of computerized design and engineering systems in architecture has increased at an alarming rate in the last decade. Similarly, urban planners and land surveyors are using computerized mapping systems more than ever before. In particular, new positioning technologies, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), have transformed the work of surveyors. Architects, urban planners and land surveyors who are conversant in these and other new technologies will have an advantage over others seeking employment in these fields of work.

Professional Associations

Saskatchewan Association of Architects:

Practising architects in the province must be registered with the Saskatchewan Association of Architects. Applicants for registration with the Association must hold both a degree in architecture from an approved school of architecture and a certificate of qualification issued by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board. Foreign-trained architects must have completed a minimum of 3 years of approved practical experience in the field and be approved by a review council established by the Association. Registration fees include $214.00 for application and $588.50 for annual membership. Graduates of Architectural School who are not working in the field can maintain an affiliation with the Association through associated membership. For more information, contact:

Saskatchewan Association of Architects

200-642 Broadway Avenue

Saskatoon, SK, Canada

S7N 1A9

Telephone: 306-242-0733

Fax: 306-664-2598

e-mail:margaret@saa.sk.ca

Association of Professional Community Planners of Saskatchewan (APCPS):

The Community Planning Profession Act, passed by the Province of Saskatchewan in l965, allows APCPS to register and certify professional community planners in Saskatchewan. To become a full member of APCPS, one must: (a) have a degree in planning from a recognized planning school, or be a member of the American Institute of Planners or the Royal Town Planning Institute; and have at least two years of professional experience in planning; or (b) hold an equivalent combination of education and professional experience and have fulfilled the Association's examination requirements. Members pay an annual registration fee. For more on the Association's regulations, please contact:

APCPS

P.O. Box 8035

Saskatoon, SK

S7K 4L4

Telephone:(306) 663-4509

Fax:(306) 663-5424

Saskatchewan Land Surveyors' Association:

Pour exercer comme géomètre dans la province, il faut être membre de la Saskatchewan Land Surveyors' Association. Les candidats doivent être titulaires d'un diplôme d'ingénieur géomètre, d'un diplôme en planimétrie ou en ingénierie géomagnétique ou d'un diplôme équivalent d'arpenteur décerné par une université reconnue. Ils doivent aussi effectuer avec succès un stage pratique d'au moins un an, en qualité de"géomètre en formation". Puis, ils doivent passer l'examen des géomètres établi par le Jury d'examen de la SAA.

Adresse :

408 Broad Street, Suite 230

Regina, SK

S4R 1X3

Téléphone :(306) 352-8999

Télécopieur :(306) 352-8366

Courriel :slsa@sk.sympatico.ca

Related Occupations

Architects:

• chief architect
• architect
• architectural standards specialist
• consulting architect
• industrial and commercial buildings architect
• residential architect

Landscape architect:

• architect, landscape
• landscape architect

Urban and land use planers:

• community and urban planner
• environment planner
• recreation planner
• city planner
• land use planner
• municipal planner

Regional planners:

• urban planner
• long range planner
• planner
• planning analyst
• park planner

Land surveyors:

• commissioned land surveyor
• legal surveyor
• property surveyor
• land surveyor
• professional land surveyor