Senior Landscape Architect

PMCS Group, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Angeles Unified School District is seeking a Senior Landscape Architect to lead the Landscape Unit, oversee staff, and direct district-wide landscape and greening projects across campuses. You will certify plans, coordinate with consultants, and manage complex design initiatives with a focus on sustainability and accessibility.

The role requires 10+ years in landscape architecture and 3+ years of supervisory experience, with strong AutoCAD and Adobe Suite skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum ten years of landscape architectural design experience on commercial and public agency projects.
• Minimum three years supervising a team of landscape architects and related staff.
• Experience with AutoCAD design software.
• Extensive experience in AutoCAD and Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Experience with graphic design and rendering software (Adobe Suite, Photoshop, others).
• Proficiency in computer office software (Word, Excel, Adobe, etc.)

Responsibilities

• Lead the Landscape Unit and oversee staff, projects, programs, and activities.
• Provide technical direction to consultant landscape architects and other design professionals.
• Direct and supervise the preparation, review, and coordination of drawings, specifications, and documents.
• Serve as Landscape Architect of Record and certify plans and related documents.
• Plan, direct complex projects involving landscape design, greening, irrigation, grading and site improvements.
• Review project designs for constructability, sustainability, accessibility, safety, and cost.

Skills

Design skills

Planting design

Construction docs

Construction administration

Organizational skills

Self-motivation

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in landscape architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

Adobe Suite

Revit

Rhino

Lumion

Job description

SENIOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Requirement: Must live in or relocate to Los Angeles, CA area

Why This Role Matters

Schoolyards are where students play, learn outdoors, and find shade on hot days. As Senior Landscape Architect for the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation's second-largest public school district, you will lead the Landscape Unit and shape the landscape, greening, and site improvement work delivered across District campuses.

You will serve as Landscape Architect of Record for District-designed projects, direct in-house staff and consultant design teams, and work directly with principals, teachers, parent groups, and community partners. The outdoor spaces you design and approve will serve students and neighborhoods for decades.

What You Will Do

Lead the Landscape Unit

• Oversee the staff, projects, programs, and activities of the Landscape Unit, providing professional leadership, technical direction, and guidance in the planning, design, development, and implementation of landscape architecture and greening projects.
• Provide technical direction and professional oversight to consultant landscape architects and other design professionals on District landscape architecture, greening, irrigation, grading, and related projects.
• Direct and supervise the preparation, review, and coordination of landscape architectural drawings, specifications, construction documents, and design revisions for new landscaping and modifications to existing landscapes.

Design and Professional Responsibility

• Serve as Landscape Architect of Record for District-designed projects, with professional responsibility for the preparation, review, coordination, and certification of landscape architectural plans, specifications, and related technical documents.
• Prepare and certify plans, specifications, and other professional documents in accordance with applicable laws, codes, standards, and District requirements.
• Plan, develop, and direct highly complex projects involving landscape design, site planning, greening, irrigation systems, grading, planting, hardscape, and related site improvements.
• Lead the design and development of in-house landscape architecture, greening, and land-use planning projects, applying professional judgment to establish design solutions.
• Review project designs and recommend improvements for constructability, maintainability, lifecycle considerations, sustainability, accessibility, safety, cost effectiveness, and compliance with District requirements.

Consultant Management and Cost Control

• Direct the development, review, negotiation, and processing of Design Service Proposals, scopes of work, and related documents for landscape architectural and greening design services.
• Review, negotiate, and approve task orders, scopes of work, proposals, and related consultant documents for landscape architectural and related professional services.
• Prepare and review cost estimates, evaluate materials and equipment, establish installation methods, and assess project delivery methods.

Field Oversight

• Conduct site visits and field investigations; evaluate existing site conditions, review construction and installation progress, identify design and technical issues, and provide professional direction to resolve them.

Community Engagement, Funding, and Advisory

• Lead coordination and community engagement with school principals, teachers, parent groups, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders; evaluate input and incorporate appropriate requirements into project development.
• Review and approve technical documentation supporting grant applications for landscape architecture, greening, and sustainability projects, ensuring District and funding-agency requirements are met.
• Advise District management, project teams, school-site personnel, and other stakeholders on landscape architecture, site planning, greening, irrigation, grading, sustainability, and related design matters.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum ten (10) years' professional experience in landscape architectural design on commercial and public agency projects, preferably school or university projects
• Minimum three (3) years' experience supervising a team of landscape architects and related staff, providing direction and overseeing projects from inception to completion
• Experience with AutoCAD design software
• Extensive experience in AutoCAD and Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Experience with graphic design and rendering software (Adobe Suite, Photoshop, others)
• Proficiency in computer office software (Word, Excel, Adobe, etc.)

Education

• Bachelor's degree in landscape architecture from a recognized college or university

Skills And Knowledge

• Strong design skills and a passion for creativity
• Knowledge of planting design, materials, and technical aspects of landscape architecture
• Review of construction documents, specifications, and contracts
• Construction administration experience, including coordination with civil, electrical, and structural engineers and other consultants
• Strong organizational skills
• A high degree of self-motivation, flexibility, and resourcefulness
• Strong written and verbal communication and collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Landscape architectural design experience on school or university projects
• Experience with Revit, Rhino, and Lumion