Landscape Designer – Entry Level

Description:

At Ryan Lawn & Tree, we create beautiful, functional, and sustainable outdoor spaces. From residential landscapes to large commercial projects, our team blends creativity with technical expertise to deliver exceptional results.

As an employee-owned company, every team member has a stake in our success. We value servant leadership, teamwork, accountability, and shared growth—whether that’s volunteering, participating in company financials, or contributing to the Great Game of Business. We also value innovation and encourage team members to be proactive in improving processes and creating new ideas.

Position Overview

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Landscape Designer – Entry Level to join our team. This role is ideal for someone early in their career who is passionate about design, eager to learn, ready to assist senior designers, and excited to gain hands-on experience in both design and project execution. You’ll have the opportunity to grow your skills through mentorship, collaborative teamwork, and real-world projects that balance creative design with practical fieldwork.

This position also emphasizes depth of research, attention to detail, strong organizational skills, time management, and learning how to be a strong, collaborative team member.

As part of your growth, you may also rotate through other departments such as Irrigation, Pruning, or Turf to learn new skills and gain broader field experience through our best in class Apprentice Program.

It’s a fast-paced position, especially during peak seasons. You’ll spend long hours at a desk supporting drawings, as well as time in the field assisting with site visits, installations, and nursery operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Support development of drawings, plans, and 3D renderings using CAD or other design software and other digital apps.
• Assist senior team members on design revisions for customers, including assisting with putting together slide deck presentations.
• Support site analyses by taking measurements and collecting site information, including using digital apps.
• Partner with senior designers and project managers to understand client needs and budgets.
• Assist senior designers in preparing construction drawings according to designer and project management guidelines.
• Support installation crews with seasonal color displays, planting, drainage, and plant placement for beds and planters.
• Research plants, hardscape materials, and design trends for sustainable, cost-effective solutions.
• Support nursery operations, including staging and caring for plant materials (equipment operation preferred).
• Depending on the season, you may rotate into other departments to learn new skills and support their growth—such as Irrigation, Pruning, or Turf—as part of the Apprentice Program rotation.

Requirements:

• Degree in Landscape Architecture, Landscape Design, Horticulture, or related field (preferred).
• Strong organizational, attention to detail, and time management skills to complete deadlines.
• 1+ years of experience or internship in design-related work.
• Familiarity with CAD or other design software; willingness to learn new tools.
• Basic knowledge of plants (with a preference for native species), nursery operations, and hardscape/construction methods.
• Client-facing skills, with an emphasis on comfort assisting with presentations, visual materials, and customer calls.
• Spanish language skills a plus.
• Equipment operation (skid steers/loaders) a plus.
• Ability to balance desk work with physical field tasks: Willingness to spend significant time at a desk for design work, as well as perform physical tasks in the field, such as site visits and assisting with installations. Must be able to walk up to 3 miles per day and lift 75 pounds.

Why work at RYAN? We only hire great people for our employee-owned company. RYAN is a leader in the lawn and landscape field. You will become a partner in the highest quality lawn and tree company in the Midwest. Why work at RYAN? In addition to being a non-smoking & EEOC company with advancement opportunities, we offer:

• Full time year around employment with a starting compensation of $40,000-60,000+ with bonuses available.
• Excellent benefits package
  • Health Insurance
  • 401k w/ company match
  • Dental/Vision and more
• 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 17 Days Paid Time Off