Landscape Architect (13045, Grade 28)

Maryland National Capital Park•Wheaton, MD

44d

About The Position

Are you a creative and innovative thinker? Are you a collaborative team player? Are you a creative problem solver with strong technical design skills? If this sounds like you, The Montgomery County Department of Parks is the place you want to be! We are currently seeking a forward thinking and well-roundedLandscape Architect. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a six-time National Recreational and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner. As a part of that Bi-County Commission, the Montgomery County Department of Parks has a career staff complement of over 850 employees, and we serve a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington, DC area. We manage 419 parks on over 37,000 acres of parkland. Go to our website to learn more:https://www.montgomeryparks.org/. A Landscape Architect independently designs/manages large, technically complex, highly visible, and politically sensitive capital projects that serve park users of all ages and abilities. Projects assigned typically will involve a multiplicity of systems and areas of specializations. They may include design of new or renovated parks, regional recreational facilities, special public-private partnership projects, or projects for individual park facilities, including playgrounds, courts, trails, dog parks, skate parks, bicycle pump tracks and skills courses, community gardens, shelters, urban plazas, public art, adult fitness areas, parkour, athletic fields, planting, and other site amenities. This level is for a fully experienced design project manager with a Professional Landscape Architect registration.

Requirements

A Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Architecture, or a degree in any other related field.
Five years of progressively responsible landscape architectural designer and/or construction manager experience that includes substantive work in the range of duties and responsibilities in this class specification.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total 9 years.
Valid Registered Professional Landscape Architect License issued by any state within the United States is required for eligibility. A valid Registered Professional Landscape Architect License issued by the State of Maryland is required within six months of appointment.
Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver's license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee's ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.

Nice To Haves

Proven ability to approach and interact with people of all backgrounds and the ability to think collaboratively with various members of the organization and other public agencies.
Superb verbal, written, and presentation skills.
Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.
Proven organizational, coordination, and workload management skills.
Proficiency with use of technology: AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch-up and GIS ESRI software, etc.
Knowledge of horticulture/arboriculture and soils, including experience with construction in environmentally sensitive areas.
Experience with regulatory requirements and other approvals associated with site development projects in Montgomery County, including county, state and federal government regulations, as well as utility company requirements.
Continued efforts towards professional development and enhancement, such as affiliation with professional organizations, professional certifications, and advanced degree.

Responsibilities

Designs and manages all aspects of projects in a multi-disciplinary team setting including developing project scopes, preparing in-house concept designs, presentation graphics and construction documents, coordinating work with stakeholders, utility companies and regulatory agencies, and procuring/managing design services performed by outside consultants.
Implements effective project budgeting and cost control, estimates project costs, monitors and reviews contract payments, manages consultant schedules, ensures timely and comprehensive project reviews, and proactively manages projects through construction bidding.
Meets with community groups virtually or in-person to obtain their suggestions and ideas on proposed projects, prepares formal written reports and presents projects to the Montgomery County Planning Board.
Provides technical reviews for projects located on parkland, which may be designed and constructed by other public agencies, developers, and public-private partners.