Description

If you're eager to make a difference in others' lives, passionate about recreation, the environment, and healthy living, then South Suburban is the perfect fit for you. At the largest parks and recreation district in Colorado, you can follow your passions while enhancing the quality of life in our community. Come join us at South Suburban, where work meets play.

Summary:

Under the general direction of the Assistant Director of Planning, Design, and Construction, the Landscape Architect provides advanced professional expertise and project management leadership for the planning, design, and construction of parks, trails, open space, and recreation facilities. This role plays a key part in delivering high-quality capital improvement projects, supporting departmental goals, and ensuring projects align with District policies, standards, and community values.

The position collaborates closely with Planning, Design and Construction, Parks staff, and partner agencies, and serves as a technical leader, mentor, and advisor. Work is performed in a manner consistent with the District’s mission, values, and commitment to exceptional public service.

Essential Duties:

• Assists the Assistant Director of Planning, Design and Construction in carrying out the Department’s vision, mission and goals.
• Promotes and fosters an organizational culture based on superior customer service, the guiding principles and values of the District and its mission to the community.
• Performs advanced professional and technical landscape architecture work related to park planning, site design, and construction implementation.
• Evaluates projects addressing site conditions, accessibility, codes, vegetation, drainage, opportunities, constraints, and design alternatives.
• Conducts comprehensive reviews of landscape architectural, architectural, and engineering plans, specifications, and submittals to ensure quality, completeness, and conformance with District standards, policies, and contractual requirements.
• Leads or participates in planning and design charrettes, workshops, public presentations, and meetings, including presentations before elected officials and advisory boards.
• Supports development, updates and maintains the design standards and construction specifications.
• Serves as project manager for small to complex capital improvement projects, including design coordination, document review, and site visits during construction.
• Manages consultant services, including preparation of RFQs and RFPs, scope development, contract management, deliverable review, invoices, and coordination.
• Supports referral and development review processes by evaluating and commenting on public and private land use applications.
• Prepares, analyzes, and manages written reports, project budgets, cost estimates, schedules, value analysis, and contract documentation.
• Provides technical guidance and advisement to the Planning, Design and Construction, Parks and Open Spaces and other departments related to best management practices, operations, and maintenance considerations.
• Coordinates projects with internal departments, external agencies, consultants, contractors, and stakeholders; maintain project schedules and communicate project status effectively.
• Produces and reviews plans, drawings, details, maps, graphics, and visual materials using appropriate software tools.
• Represents the District in interagency and regional planning efforts with cities, counties, utilities, school districts, HOAs, and other partners.
• Assists in the development and analysis of the District’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan and annual department workplan.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships with District employees, vendors, and citizens.
• Responds tactfully, respectfully and in a timely manner to inquiries and problems in person, through email, phone and mail by providing helpful information and explanations in-line with District policies and procedures. Thoughtfully handles confrontational or stressful interactions.
• Attends and actively participates in Department coordination including staff meetings, retreats, trainings, staff development, orientations and recruiting as needed.
• Attends and actively participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the assigned area including sustainable design practices.
• Attends work on a regular, reliable and punctual basis.
• Attends weeknight and occasional weekend meetings.
   

This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive duties of the position. Incumbents may be required to follow any other instructions, and to perform any other related duties, as may be required.

Requirements

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Planning, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in landscape architecture, park planning, or a related field.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
   

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:

• Registration as a Professional Landscape Architect in the State of Colorado at the time of application, or registration in another state with the ability to obtain Colorado registration within twelve (12) months of hire.
• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License or the ability to obtain upon hire and maintain an acceptable driving record.
   

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of landscape architecture, park planning, site analysis, and construction practices, terminology, park and recreational planning principles, and methods and techniques of land use and environmental and site planning.
• Ability to interpret and evaluate landscape architectural, architectural, and engineering drawings, specifications, and details.
  Proficiency in AutoCAD; experience with Bluebeam Revu, Adobe InDesign, and Photoshop preferred.
• Strong project management, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and graphic communication skills, including the ability to lead presentations, facilitate discussions, and build consensus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Ability to research, analyze, and synthesize complex information into clear, accurate professional document.
• Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced and high volume environment with emphasis on accuracy and timeliness.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to provide outstanding customer service, establish and maintain effective working relationships, and interact with others in a professional manner.
• Ability to attend meetings scheduled in the evenings and occasional weekends.