Landscape Architect - Project Manager

Company: Planning Systems is a multidisciplinary consulting firm that helps public and private clients advance complex land-use projects through strategic planning, regulatory expertise, design, and disciplined execution.

Position Summary: Manage landscape architecture and maintenance projects for clients across Southern California, with training and mentorship to build toward broader leadership responsibility. This role combines design expertise, developing project-management skills, client service, consultant coordination, and oversight of landscape maintenance contractors. Working alongside an experienced, licensed Landscape Architect, the selected candidate will develop construction administration, maintenance management, and client interaction skills while progressively assuming responsibility for projects from design through construction and maintenance, including site inspections, field coordination, and management of scope, schedule, budget, and quality. This position reports to the owner.

Key Responsibilities:

· Project Management: With support and increasing independence, coordinate project scope, schedules, budgets, deliverables, invoicing support, and follow-up from kickoff through completion.

· Design and Technical Delivery: Support and, as experience develops, lead site planning, planting and hardscape design, irrigation coordination, construction documents, specifications, bidding, and construction administration. Apply code-compliant, sustainable, and water-efficient practices.

· Maintenance Contractor Oversight: Monitor contractor performance, conduct site inspections, document deficiencies, track corrective actions, review proposals and change requests, and verify compliance with contract, irrigation, plant health, safety, and appearance standards.

· Client Management: Serve as a day-to-day contact for assigned projects, with senior support as needed. Participate in and progressively lead meetings, site walks, and presentations; provide clear updates and recommendations; and translate client priorities into action.

· Team and Multidisciplinary Coordination: Coordinate with internal staff and outside consultants, maintain project records, and support proposals, scopes, and fee estimates. As business and project needs arise, participate in work led by other Planning Systems disciplines, with appropriate guidance and training.

Qualifications:

· Education: Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture or a related field.

· Experience: 4+ years of landscape architecture experience, with exposure to project coordination, project management, and direct client interaction. Candidates should be ready to develop into a broader project-management and practice-leadership role through training, mentorship, and progressively greater responsibility.

· Maintenance Management: Experience with or meaningful exposure to landscape maintenance contractor oversight, site inspections, performance documentation, and corrective work. Training will be provided to deepen the selected candidate’s capabilities in this area.

· Project Management: Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple scopes, schedules, budgets, consultants, meetings, and client expectations, with the judgment to seek guidance when needed and the readiness to assume greater independence over time.

· Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of California landscape architecture practice, water-efficiency requirements, irrigation systems, planting and maintenance practices, and Southern California plant materials, including ornamental, native, and drought-tolerant plants.

· Licensure: California landscape architect license preferred; active pursuit of licensure expected.

· Communication: Strong writing, presentation, and relationship-management skills, with the professionalism to represent Planning Systems before clients, contractors, agencies.

· Field & Software Skills: Ability to travel locally, conduct inspections, prepare clear reports, and use standard design, project-management, and office software.

Compensation:

· Base salary plus annual performance bonus.

· Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance; PTO; and a 401(k). (Benefits begin after a 90 day probation period)

Work Environment: Hybrid, with local travel for client meetings, site visits, and occasional events.

• Equal Opportunity Employer: Planning Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business need, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, disability, ancestry, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, or age.