Planning Principal Landscape Architect - Planning & Development

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The Planning and Development Department (PDD) guides the physical development of the city by preserving our historic sites, planning what can be built, and ensuring safe construction of buildings and infrastructure. It is a city department of over 500 employees across four main Divisions: Management Services, Planning, Historic Preservation, and Development.

The Planning and Development Department has a vacancy for a Principal Landscape Architect in the Planning Section.

The Principal Landscape Architect will serve as a main point of contact regarding landscape, salvage, hillside, and trail requirements related to new developments within the city. This position will also supervise the contracted landscape plan and salvage plan review functions, working with contractors to answer questions and providing training when required. They will resolve complex design issues, prepare reports, conduct public meetings, reviews design projects in progress, and advise on appeals related to both hillside and landscape requirements. The Principal Landscape Architect advises site planners and other City staff regarding landscape issues.

This position also leads collaborative efforts with other city departments, governmental agencies, and citizen groups to implement anticipated changes to both the Zoning Ordinance and City Code regarding increased enforcement and implementation of the City's Tree and Shade Master Plan. The ideal candidate will have knowledge in related programs and familiarity with zoning ordinances and city codes. This position will supervise professional and paraprofessional staff.

Position responsibilities include:

• Supervising the work of Landscape Architects and paraprofessional employees in the preparation of master plans, renderings, cost estimates, specifications, construction drawings, and other necessary plans for the completion of design projects.
• Resolving design problems of the highest technical nature.
• Consulting with various organizations regarding park planning, street scaping, and related subjects.
• Preparing reports and letters.
• Reviewing design projects in progress.
• Conducting periodic field investigations of landscape projects under construction.
• Reviewing plans submitted by consultants.
• Assisting construction management with field decisions that affect landscape projects;.
• Maintaining regular and reliable attendance.
• Demonstrating superior seamless customer service, integrity, and commitment to innovation, efficiency, and fiscally responsible activity.
• Works more than forty hours in a workweek without additional compensation to perform assigned job duties, including weekends, evenings, early morning hours, and holidays as required.

• Knowledge and compliance with local, state, and federal laws & regulations.
• Knowledge of current water conservation methods, the tree protection ordinance, plant inventory & salvage, and multi-use trail requirements.

Pay Range: $97,780.80 to $137,592.00 annually.

Hiring Range: $97,780.80 to $118,872.00 annually.

Pay Range Explanation:

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

Internal Only: Please understand that this is pay grade 069. If selected, your salary offer will be based on the applicable promotion or demotion worksheet in accordance with the City Pay Ordinance.

• Promotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade increase.
• Demotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade decrease.
• Lateral transfers occur when there is no change to the last two digits of the pay grade.
• When there is a change in the first digit of the pay grade, there may also be a change to your classification or unit.

Your job classification can be found in eCHRIS > Personal Details under your name, located in the top left section of the page.

The pay grade and classification/unit of your current position may be found by looking up your job title on the job description page.

A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes:

• for more details: Pension Information
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Employer paid long-term disability
• Free Bus/light rail pass
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi

For more details, visit: Unit 007 Benefits

• Three years of experience directing and coordinating site planning and landscape architectural designs or at the Landscape Architect level.
• Bachelor's degree in landscape architecture or a related field.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions,
• .
• The City job description can be found here.

The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:

• Plan review experience including the ability to update codes/ ordinances and associated working documents.
• Experience working with desert and desert adapted vegetation including drought mitigation techniques.
• Experience with hillside development including grading, drainage, native plants and retaining wall design.
• Experience reviewing or creating landscape and salvage plan reviews.
• Currently a registered Arizona landscape architect.
• Supervisory/ management and mentoring experience.
• Presentation, meeting, and public speaking experience.

Recruitment closes May 4, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.

• Job interviews may be held by video or audio conference.
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• If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at (602) 495-5700 or by text at (800) 367-8939. You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

Principal Landscape Architect, JC:23250, ID# 61020, 04/20/26, USM, SG, Benefits:007

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City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.