Senior Landscape Architect

Why This Role Matters

What You Will Do

Lead the Landscape Unit

• Oversee the staff, projects, programs, and activities of the Landscape Unit, providing professional leadership, technical direction, and guidance in the planning, design, development, and implementation of landscape architecture and greening projects.
• Provide technical direction and professional oversight to consultant landscape architects and other design professionals on District landscape architecture, greening, irrigation, grading, and related projects.
• Direct and supervise the preparation, review, and coordination of landscape architectural drawings, specifications, construction documents, and design revisions for new landscaping and modifications to existing landscapes.

Design and Professional Responsibility

• Serve as Landscape Architect of Record for District-designed projects, with professional responsibility for the preparation, review, coordination, and certification of landscape architectural plans, specifications, and related technical documents.
• Prepare and certify plans, specifications, and other professional documents in accordance with applicable laws, codes, standards, and District requirements.
• Plan, develop, and direct highly complex projects involving landscape design, site planning, greening, irrigation systems, grading, planting, hardscape, and related site improvements.
• Lead the design and development of in-house landscape architecture, greening, and land-use planning projects, applying professional judgment to establish design solutions.
• Review project designs and recommend improvements for constructability, maintainability, lifecycle considerations, sustainability, accessibility, safety, cost effectiveness, and compliance with District requirements.

Consultant Management and Cost Control

• Direct the development, review, negotiation, and processing of Design Service Proposals, scopes of work, and related documents for landscape architectural and greening design services.
• Review, negotiate, and approve task orders, scopes of work, proposals, and related consultant documents for landscape architectural and related professional services.
• Prepare and review cost estimates, evaluate materials and equipment, establish installation methods, and assess project delivery methods.

Field Oversight

• Conduct site visits and field investigations; evaluate existing site conditions, review construction and installation progress, identify design and technical issues, and provide professional direction to resolve them.

Community Engagement, Funding, and Advisory

• Lead coordination and community engagement with school principals, teachers, parent groups, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders; evaluate input and incorporate appropriate requirements into project development.
• Review and approve technical documentation supporting grant applications for landscape architecture, greening, and sustainability projects, ensuring District and funding-agency requirements are met.
• Advise District management, project teams, school-site personnel, and other stakeholders on landscape architecture, site planning, greening, irrigation, grading, sustainability, and related design matters.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum ten (10) years' professional experience in landscape architectural design on commercial and public agency projects, preferably school or university projects
• Minimum three (3) years' experience supervising a team of landscape architects and related staff, providing direction and overseeing projects from inception to completion
• Experience with AutoCAD design software
• Extensive experience in AutoCAD and Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Experience with graphic design and rendering software (Adobe Suite, Photoshop, others)
• Proficiency in computer office software (Word, Excel, Adobe, etc.)

Education

• Bachelor's degree in landscape architecture from a recognized college or university

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong design skills and a passion for creativity
• Knowledge of planting design, materials, and technical aspects of landscape architecture
• Review of construction documents, specifications, and contracts
• Construction administration experience, including coordination with civil, electrical, and structural engineers and other consultants
• Strong organizational skills
• A high degree of self-motivation, flexibility, and resourcefulness
• Strong written and verbal communication and collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Landscape architectural design experience on school or university projects
• Experience with Revit, Rhino, and Lumion