Build Your Architecture Career in Southeast Idaho
Leadership opportunities, meaningful work, and an outdoor lifestyle—based in Pocatello.
JHS Architects is based in Pocatello, Idaho—a place where architects can grow professionally while enjoying a lifestyle that’s hard to find in larger cities. If you’re open to relocation and looking for more impact, balance, and long-term opportunity, this is worth exploring.
NOW HIRING:
Who We Are
Five Decades of Design, Impact, and Local Leadership
JHS Architects — officially Jensen · Hayes · Shropshire, Architects, P.A. — has been a foundational presence in Idaho’s built environment for nearly 50 years. The firm traces its roots back to 1975 and has been in continuous operation ever since, evolving into its current form in 1996 with a reputation for progressive, thoughtful, and efficient design.
Over the past several decades, JHS has completed hundreds of diverse projects across the region — from public facilities and healthcare campuses to educational spaces and commercial centers. The firm is highly regarded for:
- Technical expertise, especially on complex builds and renovations
- Responsive design solutions tailored to community needs
- Sustainable and context-sensitive architectural approaches
- Long-term client partnerships rooted in trust and craftsmanship
JHS has earned a reputation for critical thinking and thoughtful solutions that respond to the local environment and client goals — not just trends.
A Career That Starts With a Change of Scenery
Discover a lifestyle where your work matters—and your weekends do too.
Life in Pocatello doesn’t come with a commute, a crowded skyline, or city stress. It comes with mountain views, crisp air, and a community that actually feels like one. For architecture professionals who are ready for more than just the next job title—this place offers clarity, purpose, and space to thrive.
Here, your salary goes further. Your voice carries further. And your weekends aren’t spent sitting in traffic. They’re spent skiing, hiking, biking, and soaking in the outdoor life that Southeast Idaho is known for.
Make Every Dollar Count
Compared to most cities where architecture firms are based, Pocatello’s cost of living is 9–12% lower than the national average. That means your income goes further—even if your salary stays the same.
At JHS, salaries are competitive for the region—and the region gives you more in return. Whether you’re buying a home, raising a family, or simply wanting more breathing room in your budget, Pocatello offers unmatched value-per-dollar.
- Housing costs are up to 35% lower than major metros
- Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is about 37% cheaper than national averages
- Essentials like groceries and utilities stay affordable
For architects considering relocation, this translates to a better quality of life without sacrificing professional opportunity.
Idaho’s Outdoor Playground
Trade traffic for trails. Swap skyscrapers for summits.
Pocatello sits at the crossroads of adventure. On any given weekend, you can:
- The Portneuf Greenway runs through the city for walking and biking
- Hiking, biking, fishing, and trail access are minutes from town
- Pebble Creek Ski Area is just 30 minutes away
- Jackson and Jackson Hole, WY are about 2 and a half hours away
- Yellowstone National Park is only about 4 hours away
- Park City, UT is about 3 hours away, perfect for a snowy weekend getaway.
This isn’t just a perk—it’s a way of life. For creatives and professionals who find clarity in nature, Pocatello delivers. And for architects in particular, that connection to space, terrain, and form adds richness to both personal and professional life.
A Role Worth Relocating For
This isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to shape a firm—and a region.
JHS Architects isn’t hiring to fill a seat. We’re hiring to shape the future of our practice.
If you’re a skilled architect looking for more than a production role, this is your moment. As one of our senior partners plans for retirement, we’re opening the door to someone who wants to step into more than drawings and deadlines—someone ready for mentorship, leadership, and a long-term seat at the table.
Your skills matter here. Your voice is heard. And your impact is visible—not just in the buildings we design, but in the communities we serve.
Get Familiar With Some of Our Work
Explore a Selection of Projects That Define Our Practice
JHS Architects has shaped communities across southeastern Idaho and beyond with thoughtful design, technical excellence, and an eye for context. Below are a few standout projects that reflect our range, depth, and commitment to meaningful architecture. These examples span civic, institutional, healthcare, and commercial work — each created with purpose and care.
Start Your Move. Start Your Legacy.
Explore all current openings—and take the first step toward joining us.
We’re always looking for the right people—not just for the role we’re hiring for now, but for what our firm is becoming. If Pocatello sounds like a fit for your life and your career, we want to hear from you.
Why Pocatello Works—for Work
Big enough to matter. Small enough to belong.
Pocatello is home to Idaho State University, a growing healthcare network, and a vibrant small business scene. It’s a city that supports progress while protecting community roots. That’s what makes it an ideal place to both practice architecture and build a personal life.
You’ll find:
- A supportive local government and planning community
- Opportunities to contribute to civic and commercial projects
- Direct access to decision-makers, not red tape
- Short commutes and work-life flexibility
If you’ve worked in bigger firms in bigger cities, the change here will feel like a breath of fresh air—literally and professionally.
Pocatello’s Lifestyle & Outdoors: Find Your Balance
Pocatello is known as the “Gate City” or “Gateway to the Northwest,” offering a unique blend of community and outdoor adventure. It has been named the best city in Idaho to start your career due to its cost of living (10% below the national average) and unbeatable access to recreation.
- A City of Opportunity: As the principal city of the metro area, Pocatello is a hub for education, manufacturing, and transportation, home to Idaho State University and companies like ON Semiconductor and Portneuf Medical Center.
- World-Class Outdoors: We support a healthy work-life balance that allows you to take full advantage of the region. Employees can be on the 1,000+ miles of maintained recreational trails or on the slopes of Pebble Creek Ski Area (only 30 minutes away) right after work.
- The Portneuf Greenway: This system of paved trails runs through the city and along the Portneuf River, offering easy, urban access for walking and biking.
Culture and History: A Place to Connect
Pocatello is a city rich in history, from its roots on the Oregon Trail to its current status as a vibrant college town. The diversity brought by its history as a major railway junction—where you can still visit the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church—enriches the local culture.
- Arts and Entertainment: Enjoy performances at the L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center at ISU or visit the unique Museum of Clean.
- Vibrant Downtown: Our Historic Downtown Pocatello hosts events like the First Friday Art Walk, providing a great setting to connect with the local community.
Ready to Shape the Built Environment?
If you’re ready for a career that offers meaningful work, leadership opportunity, and a lifestyle that supports your life outside the office—we’d love to hear from you.