Designer Project Manager

Kalman Varga Design; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kalman Varga Design (KVD) is a boutique landscape architecture firm in San Francisco’s Noe Valley, seeking a Designer & Project Manager. The role requires taking projects from concept through construction documents, coordinating with consultants and contractors, and mentoring a junior designer.

The ideal candidate holds 5+ years of experience, a bachelor’s degree in architecture or landscape architecture, and is authorized to work in the United States.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in landscape architecture or architecture.
• Bachelor’s degree in architecture or landscape architecture from an accredited program.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Reliable to work in the SF Bay Area with occasional site visits in person two days a week.

Responsibilities

• Take projects from conceptual design through construction documentation and implementation.
• Collaborate with principal, consultants and contractors; guide junior designer.
• Develop schematic concepts and feature design; create and redline drawings in Vectorworks.
• Produce 3D models in SketchUp and assist with rendering as needed.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors, and municipal entities.

Skills

Design sensibility

Construction knowledge

Organizational skills

Client presentations

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in architecture or landscape architecture

Tools

Vectorworks

SketchUp

Rendering software

Photoshop

Job description

DESCRIPTION

Kalman Varga Design (KVD) is looking to bring on a new team member to grow our boutique residential landscape architecture firm. We are based in Noe Valley San Francisco, CA with semi-remote workers in the Bay Area. We are looking for highly motivated individuals who strive to create unique landscapes for residences ranging from urban pocket gardens to wine country estates. Our boutique firm relies on team members to wear many hats; from schematic sketching to construction detailing and coordination with city officials, contractors and clients. The principle, Kalman Varga, comes from an architectural background and takes pride in the detail and precision of the firm's drawings and architecturally oriented designs.

THE POSITION

Designer & Project Manager with a minimum of five years of professional experience in landscape architecture or architecture. This position is ideal for a well-rounded individual who can confidently take projects from conceptual design through construction documentation and implementation. The successful candidate will work closely with the principal while independently managing assigned projects, coordinating with consultants and contractors, and providing guidance and oversight to a junior designer. KVD is looking for someone who combines a strong design sensibility with practical construction knowledge and excellent organizational skills.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Site inventory, which may include hand measured plans for smaller urban projects.
• Collaboration in developing schematic concepts and feature design.
• Drafting and redlining of presentation, permit, pricing and construction drawings in Vectorworks.
• 3D modeling in SketchUp.
• Assisting junior design staff in furthering their construction detailing abilities.
• Partake in client presentations and site meetings and may be asked to lead these at times pending experience.
• Coordinate project detailing and logistics with contractors.
• Contractor, municipal, nursery, and sales coordination across numerous projects.
• Strategic project planning and scheduling.
• Onsite mock up review and plant layout.
• Procurement of plantings, furnishings, light fixtures and specialty features.

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture or landscape architecture from an accredited program.
• 5+ years of work experience in landscape or architecture. 2 years of project management experience.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Valid driver’s license, car, and ability to visit sites. The ideal candidate lives in the SF Bay Area. While the office is remote; the candidate will be asked to work in person twice a week in San Francisco.
• Must be able to manage multiple projects, budgets, orders and schedules simultaneously.
• Demonstrated experience producing complete landscape construction documents. KVD drafts and renders plans in Vectorworks. Vectorworks experience is not a requirement, but an interest in learning new software in the ever evolving technology market is a must.
• Experience coordinating with architects, engineers, and contractors.
• 3D modeling experience, preferably SketchUp. Rendering experience is plus, KVLA is open to team members recommendation on rendering software, we currently Photoshop and use ChatGBT over SketchUp.
• Strong design and graphic sense with the ability to verbally and graphically communicate design ideas.
• Strong work discipline, with self-management skills. Initiative and problem solving are a must.
• A people person. KVLA prides itself on being a boutique firm offering the highest level of customer service to our clients.
• KVD operates on Macintosh computers but the candidate may opt to use a PC or Mac.