Landscape Architect

City of Seattle; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation, holiday, and sick leave

Medical, dental, vision, life and long

Long‑term disability insurance

Job summary

The City of Seattle is seeking a Landscape Architect within SDOT to plan, design, and inspect landscape architecture work in public right of way. This role leads projects such as streetscapes, plazas, and environmental restoration, and reviews irrigation and landscape plans for capital and interagency projects.

You will collaborate with the Principal Landscape Architect in SDOT Urban Forestry, ensuring long‑term sustainability and compliance with city standards.

Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree in Landscape Architecture.
• At least three (3) years of professional landscape architectural experience.
• Registration as a professional Landscape Architect in the State of Washington is required for employment.

Responsibilities

• Serves as landscape project lead for projects developed in house, including streetscapes, landscapes, environmental restoration, plazas, trails, planters, and beautification projects.
• Provides subject matter expertise for environmentally critical areas (ECAs) covered by Title 25 of the Seattle Municipal Code. Prepares and reviews restoration plans for ECAs within public rights-of-way (wetlands, streams, wetland and stream buffers, and steep slopes).
• Prepares and reviews construction drawings, details, and specifications for City irrigation systems in public rights-of-way; performs irrigation calculations to confirm flow and pressure; prepares applications for Water Availability Certificates; prepares and audits watering schedules to minimize water use while meeting landscape requirements.
• Reviews plans and specifications developed by consultants for compliance with city standards for planting, erosion control, and irrigation. Serves as liaison between consultant Landscape Architects and the Senior Landscape Architect to ensure projects are designed for long‑term sustainability.
• Oversees landscape construction; responds to construction submittals and RFIs; samples and tests materials; inspects irrigation, soil preparation, planting, seeding, mulch, and weed control; maintains records on City projects; onboards SDOT landscape and irrigation assets.
• Prepares and tracks cost estimates, budgets, and schedules for landscape establishment; inspects sites during establishment; serves as liaison with SDOT landscape and irrigation crews; reviews establishment activities and recommends changes to meet permit requirements and ensure long‑term sustainability.
• Serves as the subject‑matter expert responding to public inquiries related to landscape architecture work on SDOT projects; participates in community meetings; maintains Landscape Architecture license and membership in good standing with American Society for Landscape Architects.

Education

A baccalaureate degree in Landscape Architecture

Job description

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!

At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don’t just move people—we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city.

With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live.

Seattle is growing fast, and we’re growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter‑approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we’re building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving.

We’re a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews—bringing purpose‑driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together!

SDOT’s Right of Way Maintenance and Urban Forestry Division has an exciting new position for aLandscape Architect to plan, design, and inspect landscape architecture work in public right of way. This role will also be responsible for preparing and reviewing landscape, irrigation, and urban design plans for SDOT capital and interagency projects. This position reports to the Principal Landscape Architect in SDOT Urban Forestry.

• Serves as landscape project lead for projects developed in house, including streetscapes, landscapes, environmental restoration, plazas, trails, planters, and beautification projects.
• Provides subject matter expertise for environmentally critical areas (ECAs) covered by Title 25 of the Seattle Municipal Code. Prepares and reviews restoration plans for ECAs within public rights-of-way (wetlands, streams, wetland and stream buffers, and steep slopes).
• Prepares and reviews construction drawings, details, and specifications for City irrigation systems in public rights-of-way; performs irrigation calculations to confirm flow and pressure; prepares applications for Water Availability Certificates; prepares and audits watering schedules to minimize water use while meeting landscape requirements.
• Reviews plans and specifications developed by consultants for compliance with city standards for planting, erosion control, and irrigation. Serves as liaison between consultant Landscape Architects and the Senior Landscape Architect to ensure projects are designed for long‑term sustainability.
• Oversees landscape construction; responds to construction submittals and RFIs; samples and tests materials; inspects irrigation, soil preparation, planting, seeding, mulch, and weed control; maintains records on City projects; onboards SDOT landscape and irrigation assets.
• Prepares and tracks cost estimates, budgets, and schedules for landscape establishment; inspects sites during establishment; serves as liaison with SDOT landscape and irrigation crews; reviews establishment activities and recommends changes to meet permit requirements and ensure long‑term sustainability.
• Serves as the subject‑matter expert responding to public inquiries related to landscape architecture work on SDOT projects; participates in community meetings; maintains Landscape Architecture license and membership in good standing with American Society for Landscape Architects.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• A baccalaureate degree in Landscape Architecture

Experience:

• At least three (3) years of professional landscape architectural experience

License, Certification:

• Registration as a professional Landscape Architect in the State of Washington is required for employment.
• Current Valid State of Washington Driver License.

OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.

Though not requirements, strong candidates will have some of the following experience or are able to describe comparable experience:

• ISA Certified Arborist
• Three years of experience in transportation (e.g. streetscapes, boulevards, plazas, trails, or transit stations)
• Experience designing and/or inspecting automatic irrigation systems
• Experience using soil cells or structural soil
• Experience with natural drainage systems

Work Environment / Physical Demands:

• Work is typically performed in a hybrid work environment in which a minimum of 3 days of work is completed in a City office, and 2 days of work is completed remotely in a regular 40‑hour work week.

Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including professional work and education verifications, pre-placement physical exam, and full driver's abstract.

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The full salary range for this position is $60.27 - $70.17 per hour.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Adam Sallean and [e-mail]

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long‑term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Who May Apply:

This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences.

Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided upon request.

The City is a Drug Free Workplace.