Landscape Designer (Parks and Recreation Department)

Job Description:

Landscape Designer (Parks and Recreation Department)

Description

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Landscape Architecture.

Licenses or Certifications:

• None.

Notes to Applicants

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

The purpose of the Landscape Designer position is to provide park planning and design support to the PARD Park Planning Division related to landscape architectural projects under the direction of registered Landscape Architects. This position will provide assistance in park vision planning, park design, community engagement, and park construction management for projects associated with parkland dedication fees and the Community Activated Park Projects Program. This position is intended to provide experience to support future State of Texas landscape architectural registration for the landscape designer.

Application Instructions/Job Requirements:

• Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as “See Resume” will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
• Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
• Virtual Interviews: PARD may conduct virtual interviews.
• Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
• Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying, or using a force equal to lifting up to ten (10) pounds. Work environment includes inside, and outside environmental conditions, extreme temperatures, and hazards associated with equipment operation including fumes, oils, gases, and mists. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond, and work with participant’s needs and safety issues.

Other Information:

• Posting Guidelines: PARD reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs. This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other divisions/work locations within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Decisions on assigned selection will be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
• Travel: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program , you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.

Pay Range
$23.76 - $27.56 per hour

Hours
Work/Location Schedule:

• Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• May be required to work during special events, evenings, weekends & holidays.
• Work schedule and location is subject to change based on department needs and programs.
• May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.

Job Close Date 09/26/2024 Type of Posting External Department Parks and Recreation Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location PARD Annex: 919 W. 28 ½ Street, Austin, TX 78705 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Direct experience facilitating landscape architecture projects to include reviewing scopes of work, reviewing contracts, and dealing with municipal permitting processes.
• Direct experience with AutoCAD software and Adobe Creative Suite software.
• Direct experience in construction oversight of landscape architecture or related projects.
• Direct experience preparing and delivering presentations.
• Direct experience in the community engagement process relating to landscape architecture projects.
• Direct experience in developing complex design concepts through construction documents related to park planning and development.
• Direct experience in developing park vision plans.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of LEED / SITES Principles.
• Knowledge of the City of Austin Land Development Code.

Other:

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


1. Draft conceptual plans, design development plans, construction drawings, construction details etc. for parkland, green spaces, etc.
2. Attend project meetings.
3. Research, investigate and develop reports, cost estimates, correspondence, and official documents.
4. Develop & evaluate plans, criteria, etc. for variety of projects, programs activities, etc.
5. Answer citizen questions & provide assistance.
6. Layout/design complex landscape projects.
7. Provide technical advice & assistance to field personnel, contractors, etc.
8. Conduct field inspections of work done by volunteers or contractors to ensure compliance with plans and specifications.
9. Prepare maps, drawings or illustrative exhibits using computerized drafting and graphic programs.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of various plant materials.
• Knowledge of horticultural and arboricultural practices.
• Knowledge of standard building materials and methods for exterior construction.
• Knowledge of best practices for stormwater management.
• Knowledge of aerial photo interpretation.
• Knowledge of philosophy, goals, objectives, priorities and needs of landscape architectures and land planning.
• Knowledge of construction project management techniques.
• Knowledge of irrigation systems.
• Knowledge of land surveying.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
• Skill in interpreting written documents including construction plans, specifications and contract provisions.
• Skill in effective oral and/or written communication.
• Skill in the use of drafting/designing equipment and instruments.
• Skill in determining quality of materials workmanship and construction methods.
• Skill in planning and design processes for landscape architecture and land planning.
• Skill in preparing clear and concise written reports.
• Skill in developing and implementing short/land range plans.
• Ability to identify a wide variety of plants and flowers.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for this position require graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Landscape Architecture. Do you meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

* In reviewing the preferred qualifications section of this job posting, please describe in 500 words or less how you meet those preferred qualifications.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe any experience you have in developing and coordinating park planning or park design projects.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe any experience you have incorporating LEED/SITES Principles in projects.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe any experience you have incorporating the City of Austin Land Development Code in projects.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents