Design AssistantCAD Drafter

About Tierra Encantada

Tierra Encantada headquartered in Minneapolis MN is the leader in Spanish immersion early education and provides high-quality language immersion education and care to children 6 weeks through 6 years of age. At Tierra Encantada we believe the earliest years should open a world of possibilities. As the Leader in Spanish Immersion Early Education we nurture the whole child through joyful play-based learning and a globally inspired culinary program featuring wholesome meals prepared from scratch each day. By fostering curiosity confidence cultural understanding and healthy habits we prepare children for a lifetime of learning while creating warm engaging environments that families trust. Join us and be part of a mission-driven team that is committed to making a lasting impact-one child one family and one community at a time.

Position Overview

Tierra Encantada is hiring for a Design Assistant/CAD Drafter to support the development of new Tierra Encantada locations. This is a hands-on detail-oriented role supporting the design of new corporate and franchise Tierra Encantada childcare centers nationwide. This position will create preliminary layouts and block fits review architectural plans and finish selections maintain Tierra Encantadas design and brand standards utilizing clear current design documentation. This position will also assist with research into childcare facility requirements as the company expands into new states and jurisdictions.

This position will utilize CAD regularly comparing drawings against established standards identifying inconsistencies or omissions researching unfamiliar requirements and clearly documenting corrections for architects franchisees and internal team members. This position will read commercial architectural plans and dig into fine details for the projects assigned. This is primarily a production and quality-control role supporting the Sr. Project Manager Design and Construction.

Pay and Schedule

This is a part-time non-exempt position typically working around 25 hours per week.

The starting pay for this position is between $34.00 an $38.00 per hour depending on experience education and certifications and/or degrees.

Key Responsibilities

• Create preliminary block fits test fits and floor plan layouts for prospective corporate and franchise locations using AutoCAD or comparable design software.
• Translate site information existing-condition drawings surveys and leasing plans into preliminary layouts that evaluate whether a location can appropriately accommodate the TE program.
• Develop and revise preliminary plans based on feedback from the Development team Operations franchisees architects and other stakeholders.
• Review architectural plans throughout design development and construction-document phases to verify alignment with Tierra Encantadas approved preliminary layout program requirements and design standards.
• Review franchisee architectural plans and identify items that do not conform to Tierra Encantada requirements including room layouts classroom configurations circulation support spaces fixtures millwork equipment and other design elements.
• Perform detailed quality-control reviews of finish plans finish schedules elevations millwork flooring paint countertops cabinetry plumbing fixtures lighting selections and other interior design elements to ensure specified materials match approved Tierra Encantada standards.
• Compare successive drawing sets to confirm requested changes have been incorporated and identify unintended changes or inconsistencies between plans schedules elevations and specifications.
• Prepare clear plan redlines comments markups and review summaries for architects franchisees vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain Brand Connect and other design-standard resources ensuring current finishes products specifications details approved vendors design requirements and reference materials are accurately documented and easy for internal teams and franchisees to use.
• Update design standards and supporting documentation when new products finishes details or approved design changes are adopted.
• Maintain organized CAD files standard plan components blocks templates finish information and other reusable design resources to improve speed and consistency across projects.
• Research child care licensing and facility design requirements in new states and jurisdictions as Tierra Encantada enters new markets including requirements that may affect classroom design child capacity square footage outdoor space natural light and other physical facility requirements.
• Summarize new-market design requirements in clear usable reference materials and identify requirements that differ from Tierra Encantadas existing prototype or brand standards.
• Support the Real Estate and Development teams with preliminary design analysis when evaluating prospective sites.
• Help identify design conflicts missing information or potential problems early enough to avoid unnecessary redesign change orders permitting delays or construction costs.
• Maintain accurate design-review records and track open design comments through resolution.
• Assist with finish packages design presentations specification sheets design standards and other design-related documents as needed.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Position Requirements

• Associates or bachelors degree in Architecture Interior Design Architectural Technology Drafting or a related field; equivalent professional experience will also be considered.
• 2 years of experience in architectural drafting space planning commercial design or a related field.
• Strong proficiency with AutoCAD required; experience with Revit is preferred.
• Ability to independently create and revise commercial floor plans block fits and test fits.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural construction documents including floor plans reflected ceiling plans elevations finish plans schedules and details.
• Strong understanding of basic commercial space planning and interior design documentation.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to identify inconsistencies across large drawing sets.
• Ability to work from established design standards while recognizing when a condition requires escalation or additional review.
• Comfortable researching regulations licensing requirements and technical standards and translating them into practical design requirements.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and drawing reviews simultaneously.
• Clear written communication skills particularly when preparing plan comments redlines and design-review notes.
• Ability to work independently follow projects through multiple revisions and proactively identify missing information or unresolved issues.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office; experience with Bluebeam Smartsheet and/or similar project collaboration tools preferred.
• Experience with childcare education retail restaurant healthcare or other multi-location commercial environments is preferred but not required.

Physical Requirements

• This position will be sedentary for the majority of the time but requires occasional movement round the office to access file cabinets and office supplies.
• Requires the ability to frequently walk stand climb stairs crawl sit squat stoop bend reach kneel rise from the floor and twist.
• Requires the ability to carry and lift 25 pounds or less use repetitive or fine hand movements and occasionally push pull run short distances and carry and lift 25 pounds or less.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 12 paid holidays
• Generous PTO package
• 401(k) with employer match
• Performance bonus
• Discounted childcare and waitlist priority for enrollment
• Company paid professional development

Additional Information About the Position

• Once a job offer has been accepted the candidate must pass a background check and fingerprinting.
• Tierra Encantada is an E-verify employer.
• Tierra Encantada is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity gender expression national origin ancestry age physical or mental disability medical condition pregnancy military status veteran status genetic information citizenship disability status marital status family status or any other basis prohibited by law.
• Tierra Encantada is committed to making accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process please contact Tierra Encantada Talent Acquisition at This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Required Experience:

Junior IC