Landscape Architect

Smithsonian Institution•Washington, DC

11d

About The Position

The Landscape Architect works in Smithsonian Gardens, Facilities Management, within the Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian Gardens is a recognized Collections Unit responsible for collections of garden artifacts, living plants, and the Archives of American Gardens. The position advances landscape initiatives and ensures that design, planning, and construction activities reflect aesthetic excellence, environmental stewardship, and alignment with the Smithsonian’s mission and long-term planning goals. The role leads landscape architecture projects and coordinates staff, contractors, consultants, and interdisciplinary teams. It covers master planning, site design, renovation, historic preservation, replacement, and new construction affecting Smithsonian Gardens landscapes and grounds. The Landscape Architect reviews project documents and deliverables for compliance and reviews projects that occur within or affect Smithsonian Gardens areas. The position also develops and presents public presentations, educational lectures, reports, contract documents, project specifications, and correspondence.

Requirements

Meet the basic qualification requirement through a degree in landscape architecture or landscape design, or a qualifying combination of education and professional experience that includes original landscape design.
Have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal Service, preparing or reviewing landscape design or construction documents; assessing site conditions including accessibility, grading, drainage, hardscaping, and plant selection and establishment; and managing projects through design, construction, and implementation for new construction, renovation, historic preservation, or replacement of properties such as public institution campuses, government facilities, or historic park settings.
Meet applicable time-in-grade requirements if applying under competitive merit promotion procedures.
Meet applicable Smithsonian career or career-conditional status or eligibility requirements.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.

Responsibilities

Lead landscape architecture projects and coordinate the work of staff, contractors, consultants, and interdisciplinary project teams.
Lead or coordinate master planning, site design, renovation, historic preservation, replacement, and new construction projects affecting Smithsonian Gardens landscapes and grounds.
Review construction documents, specifications, drawings, contractor deliverables, and project submittals to ensure compliance with contracted requirements.
Review and provide comments on construction, renovation, and SD 410 review projects within, adjacent to, or otherwise affecting Smithsonian Gardens areas.
Formulate and present public presentations, educational lectures, reports, contract documents, project specifications, and correspondence.