Principal Landscape Architect

To plan, organize, direct and supervise all aspects of the Landscape Architecture section within the Development Services Department; to assume responsibility for section projects and programs; to perform a variety of highly responsible professional and technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility; and to perform related work as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Supervisor level recognizes positions that perform full, first-line supervisory responsibilities including planning, assigning, and evaluating the work of subordinates and are responsible for a program area within a section, work unit, or department.

Supervision Received and Exercised: Receives general direction from assigned department head or assistant department head. Exercises direct supervision over assigned professional, technical, and clerical personnel.

Essential Duties: Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: oversee section functions and assume responsibility for major programs as assigned and assist the Director or Assistant Director in various administrative activities; perform the most complex and difficult professional landscape planning; design and implement landscape architectural projects; manage multiple, complex, landscape architectural projects; represent the department on major landscape design and planning issues associated with the development of new subdivisions, parks, and public lands; provide professional landscape architectural expertise in the creation and updating of City landscape architectural policies, codes, ordinances, rules and/or regulations in accordance with the City's General Plan; recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods; implement policies and procedures; plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of assigned staff; evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities; research and analyze complex section, general plan, legal, and administrative issues and make recommendations; draft section-specific ordinances, amendments, and general plan elements; manage, prepare, and review environmental documents and reports; participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for budget adjustments; monitor and control expenditure; participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures; compile data for administrative and public reports: collect and analyze basic physical, economic and social data for planning purposes; participate in technical work and control of the planning department by designing resources for data collection, evaluation, and analysis; prepare general program guidelines; respond to requests for research and information from the City Council, City staff, and the public regarding the City's General Plan, zoning codes, ordinances and established policies and procedures; attend City Council, Planning Commission, Redevelopment Agency, and other boards and commissions meetings; prepare reports and recommendations; make presentations as necessary; answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate and resolve complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints; build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service; perform related duties as assigned.

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible experience in landscape architecture, including design and construction project coordination, and two years of lead/supervisory responsibility; AND

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in landscape architecture, planning, environmental studies, or a closely related field.

License or Certificate: Possession of State of California Board of Landscape Architect License is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of: landscape design principles and standards; construction techniques and standards; plant materials appropriate to region; irrigation technology and water management principles; California Environmental Quality Act; State mandated water conservation legislation; principles of land development, grading, elevations, and drainage principles; State mandated storm water regulations and standards; park and recreational facility planning; land use master planning; construction costs and scheduling; principles of landscape maintenance; principles of complete streets, EPA Green Streets, and NACTO street design guides; budgeting procedures and techniques; applicable statistics and research methods as applied to collection and tabulation; principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluations; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; computer equipment and software applications related to assignment. Ability to: perform a wide variety of highly complex professional landscape architect duties including field work and inspection; design and review landscape irrigation systems, drainage systems, landforms and elevations to achieve project objectives; organize, implement, and direct section operations, activities, projects, and programs; on a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures; on a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift or carry weight of 10 pounds of less; understand, interpret, explain, and apply pertinent City ordinances, regulations and rules, and department policies, guidelines, and procedures; prepare and monitoring of an assigned program budget; develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; supervise, train, assign, and evaluate assigned staff; use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines; prepare clear and concise oral and written technical correspondence and reports; operate computer equipment and software applications related to assignment; operate City vehicles observing legal and defensive driving practices; work with various citizen groups and community organizations in a tactful and effective manner.

Physical Demands and Working Environment
On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently stand and walk. Intermittently twist and reach office equipment above and below shoulders; use telephone, write or use keyboard to communicate through written means; use a computer keyboard on a regular and continuing basis; lift or carry up to 10 pounds; see in the normal vision range with or without correction to read typical business documents and computer screens; hear in the normal range with or without correction.

Primary work is in performed indoors in a carpeted and air-conditioned office environment with fluorescent lighting and moderate noise level. There is some exposure to the external environment when visiting outlying offices and/or project locations. Work is frequently disrupted by the need to respond to in-person and telephone inquiries.

To be considered, applicants must submit a City Application by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date listed. Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via e-mail. Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the selection process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration. The examination materials for this recruitment are validated, copyrighted and/or inappropriate for review.