Landscape Architect

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary

The Landscape Architect will bring outdoor spaces to life, by collaborating with team members to provide concept design through technical construction documentation of landscape architecture projects including landscape and hardscape plans, details, and specifications.  They provide design, code review, presentation graphics, product research, construction documentation, detailing, specifications, opinions of cost, and construction administration for parks, streetscapes, public space design, development sites, industrial sites, higher education, and master planning, etc.

In this role, the Landscape Architect will provide professionally completed concepts, presentation graphics, construction documents, specifications, and opinions of cost. Additionally, you will research, review, and provide documentation of landscape requirements of municipality zoning codes. 

The Landscape Architect must be able to prepare concept plans through construction document plan sets, including specifications, and provide construction administration. They review all phases of the landscape plan document set (SD, DD, CD) and provide redlines, as well as review other discipline drawing sheets to ensure effective coordination. The Landscape Architect shall provide QA/QC of project deliverables, as necessary for successful project completion and sign and seal LA plans for construction. The Landscape Architect shall provide construction administration including site visit documentation, shop drawing review, answer contractor questions, and lead CA meetings as necessary, etc. The Landscape Architect will provide written proposals to gain work. They must be a self-starter, be able to work on multiple projects concurrently, assist and mentor the team in design and construction documentation and administration, be a positive influence and provide help to the department in any way necessary for the good of the department.

The Landscape Architect regularly interacts with employees inside and outside of the department, including regular interaction with clients.  They will regularly have interaction with architects, engineers, subconsultants, contractors and coordinate with internal TKG engineers. They regularly present to the public (agencies, government entities, professional affiliations, etc.) and publicly speak on behalf of professional landscape architecture. The Landscape Architect will assist senior staff in the development of project proposals and marketing materials. They will prepare and participate in interviews. 

It is expected the Landscape Architect is the model of professionalism, representing the Company and the department in a positive light.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Consults with and provides guidance to internal landscape designers, management, and clients regarding best practices and requirements for landscape and hardscape design.
• Prioritizes project assignments to meet market/firm expectations. 
• Analyze relevant materials such as topographical data, survey, aerial photography, drawings, blueprints, maps, zoning codes, grading plans, and other data as necessary.
• Reviews and redlines landscape architecture drawings and specifications.
• Reviews drawings of other disciplines (electrical, civil, etc.) to ensure effective coordination with landscape improvements.
• Sign and seal landscape construction documents for construction.
• Assists staff on landscape architectural related design and construction documentation and administration.
• Provide quantities and use available benchmarking data and research as necessary to provide an opinion of construction costs for landscape architecture related elements.
• Collaborates with architects, contractors, subconsultants, and other engineers to ensure tightly coordinated drawing sets.
• Collaborates with surveyors (or directs and participates in surveying) to establish installations or reference points, grades, elevations, and other factors that will affect construction.
• Monitors project progress and ensures design specifications, health-safety-welfare, and design standards are met.
• Provides design and efficient plan production on all phases of a project from conceptual design through construction documentation and administration.          
• Be able to design in concert with grading plans and understand the elevations to determine if design will function.
• Ability to storyboard out construction documents, presentations etc.
• Be able to hand sketch a rough grading plan to ensure functionality.
• Able to complete a construction documentation set independently with minimal oversight.
• Anticipate next steps in the design process to keep documentation progressing.
• Keeps project tasks and notes organized to complete all requests asked for by senior staff.
• Meet stated client and team-initiated deadlines.
• Able to teach and explain to others the methodologies used by The Company.
• Intermediate level of understanding of design tools and landscape architectural practices.
• Complete construction administration responsibilities for projects including, but not limited to addressing contractor questions, lead pre-construction meetings, review substitutions requests and shop drawings, perform site walkthrough, develop punch lists, etc. 
• Ensure effective communications and a positive work environment with clients and co-workers.
• Attend and/or lead project team meetings with other design professionals and clients. 
• Participate and/or lead project related public involvement initiatives, as necessary.
• Provide narrative for landscape architecture projects.
• Participate in public speaking on professional landscape architecture. 
• Provide scope and fee proposals in support of landscape architectural and engineering department project opportunities.
• Daily timekeeping in Unanet for appropriate project billing.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Education, & Experience

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture or related field from an accredited program. 
• Must be a Licensed Landscape Architect.
• Ten (10) or more years' experience preferred.  
• Experience with Construction Documents. 
• Demonstrated intermediate level knowledge in MS Word, Excel, and AutoCAD.
• Proficient knowledge and clear understanding of technical drawings, plans, details, and specifications.
• Ability to work on multiple projects with multiple deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Gain continuing education credits as required by the state and renew landscape architecture license.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Intermediate understanding of landscape architecture principles, practices, design, and construction processes.
• Intermediate understanding of materials, methods, and tools involved in the construction of landscape and hardscape improvements, specifications, and construction administration.
• Demonstrated aesthetic and appropriate design ability in landscape architecture related projects including landscape architecture site design, planning, and documentation.
• Proficient in AutoCAD and Microsoft. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Ability to be both creative and analytical.
• Ability to work on multiple projects with multiple deadlines.
• Extremely detail-oriented and accurate.
• Ability and anticipate what to do next in the design process to keep documentation progressing.
• Ability to keep track of requests asked by senior staff.
• Mentor and guide staff on landscape architecture related projects.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to travel to various project sites.
• Must be able to access and navigate job sites and construction areas.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Personal Qualities we Value:

Detail-Oriented:  You thrive on getting the little things right and delivering high-quality work every time.

Self-Starter:  You take initiative, are comfortable working independently, and enjoy a good challenge.

Collaborative:  You're a team player who can work across departments and get things done together.

Problem Solver:  You can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions to recruiting challenges.

Organized:  You love keeping things in order and making sure the right resources are at your fingertips.

Kleingers Core Values:

• Honor Our Commitments
• Listen To Our Clients
• Deliver An Exceptional Client Experience
• Build Lasting Relationships
• Do The Right Thing

  Benefits :

• 100% Employee Owned Company
• Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA, FSA
• Company-paid Life, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) plus matching up to 50%
• Employee Assistance Program
• Experience-based PTO, Paid Volunteer Hours
• Wellness Program
• Employee Referral Program
• Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Professional Memberships & Licensing Fees
• Kleingers Academy and Development Training

Why Kleingers is YOUR Destination Employer:

• People-First Culture – our employees are our best asset. We walk the talk. Kleingers believes in their employees and sets them up for success.
• Community-Based Projects - make a difference by working on meaningful projects with lasting, positive impacts upon the communities where you live and work.
• Career Growth - career paths and plenty of opportunities for advancement.
• Personal Development – we offer continuous learning opportunities throughout the year. Whether it is training, development, or coaching we are committed to your growth.
• Be You! – We value equity, inclusion, and belonging. Kleingers welcomes and encourages diverse perspectives and insights.

The Kleingers Group does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.