Job Description

Location

570 West Avenue 26 Los Angeles, 90065

Description

The Staff Landscape Architect will oversee design elements of all park development/landscape improvement projects, prepare landscape designs, construction documents and specifications, perform construction observation and troubleshooting, provide general project management and administration, and represent the agency at public meetings.

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This is highly technical and professional work for a person at a senior staff/management level. The work performed will support MRCA’s operation of nature parks within greater Los Angeles, land acquisition and capital improvement Workprograms, and other efforts related to public access, open space conservation, habitat restoration, and urban park development. 

Ability to speak Spanish and a current landscape architect license issued by the State of California are required.

Supervision

This position reports to the Deputy Executive Officer. Assorted tasks may be supervised by Executive Staff and may include participation in multi-division teams. The position may supervise other staff at the entry-level or intermediate project manager level. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Produce landscape improvement plans, details, and specifications, at conceptual design, schematic design,  and construction document phases with both hand-drawn graphics and CAD techniques.
• Coordinate with Construction Supervisors to monitor progress of in-house staff (force account) and subcontractors, assure compliance with plans and specifications, and troubleshoot as needed.
• Coordinate with Site Managers to monitor landscape maintenance activities and improvements; troubleshoot as needed. Provide input and guidance on long-term management plans for existing and new facilities.
• Sign/stamp plans. Interpret and apply applicable ordinances, regulations, and standard operating procedures.
• Produce early concept designs for a variety of project types.
• Identify and scope improvement projects for existing facilities.
• Monitor and track project budgets and spending.
• Review and approve landscape plans, details, and specifications prepared by others for park development projects.
• Coordinate the assessment and removal of architectural barriers.
• Make reports about improvement projects to Executive Staff, Governing Board, funders, and the general public.
• Conduct a bi-annual Request for Qualifications for various professional disciplines to maintain a current list of qualified consultants.
• Review proposal submissions from environmental design consultants and make recommendations to project managers.
• Attend senior staff meetings and participate in management discussions.
• Oversee agency design standards. Research new products and technologies.
• Perform Construction Administration tasks and respond to RFIs from contractors and construction management consultants.
• Specify and procure supplies for improvement projects and work closely with vendors.
• Produce written materials including construction specifications, staff reports, text for publication, proposals, progress reports, and a variety of other documents.
• Determine project scope, options, and alternatives to overcome constraints. Revise as often as needed to address unexpected conditions.
• Maintain good habits of answering and responding to incoming telephone calls, correspondence, and when communicating and providing customer service to citizens who seek assistance.
• Maintain positive relationships with coworkers, representatives of other government agencies, non-profit organizations, homeowner’s associations, and the public at large.
• Lead and participate in group hikes, project site tours, and kayak trips with project stakeholders.
• Represent the agency in public forums.
• Perform related duties as required.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Write and coordinate grant proposals and research new funding opportunities for land acquisition, park development, and related planning efforts.
• Perform day-to-day administration of grants, prepare required reports and ensure conformance with grant agreements. 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required remain in a stationary position, occasionally move about inside the office to access supplies and office machinery, frequently communicate and exchange information, review handwritten, electronic and facsimile documents, and operate a computer and other office productivity machinery. The employee must occasionally move items weighing up to 20 pounds inside the office.

During project site surveys, the employee is regularly required to position self to perform measurement and inventory tasks, frequently move about work sites, operate a mobile system to complete checklists, travel to various park sites, frequently operate measuring tools to record measurements indoors and in outdoor weather conditions, transport tools between vehicles and work sites on a daily basis, and occasionally ascend/descend a ladder to access areas of work.

Required Hours and Location

Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week with some scheduling flexibility. The position will work out of the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens and will be required to travel to various other locations. Offices at the River Center are spread among multiple buildings and floors. Remote working or a hybrid schedule may be allowed, subject to supervisor approval.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Education and Experience

• B.L.A, B.A. or B.S. degree. 
• Completion of Landscape Architecture degree (bachelor or masters). Completion of an approved extension certificate program meeting education requirements for State of California licensure may be substituted.
• Four (4) years of experience with landscape architect duties. 
• Work experience directly managing landscape improvement projects with force account or via design/build relationship. Provide at least three (3) examples of completed projects.
• Experience in the public sector in park planning and design is desired.
• Ability to speak Spanish is required.

Training and Certification

• Current, valid Landscape Architect license with the State of California.

Knowledge of:

• State of California Building Code and ADAS requirements for public facilities.
• Intermediate proficiency with AutoCAD, BlueDAG, and Land F/X software, or ability to learn.
• Construction practices for architecture and landscape improvements.
• California Environmental Quality Act requirements, or ability to learn.
• Basic proficiency in email and Office 365, or ability to learn.
• Office practices and procedures.

Ability to:

• Cooperate with coworkers and revise project approach as needed to accommodate concerns.
• Travel to various park sites to conduct site evaluations and evaluate projects.
• Maintain files and records in an orderly manner.
• Prioritize varying tasks and projects to manage multiple projects at once.
• Work independently to handle multiple tasks under deadlines.
• Revise work approach to address changed conditions.
• Complete projects and follow oral and written directions.
• Consistently follow established procedures.
• Exercise discretion and sensitivity to confidential information.
• Communicate to a variety of audiences about projects and objectives.
• Read maps and navigate through greater Los Angeles, in both urban developed and undeveloped open space areas.

Competencies:

• Accurate use of measuring devices for distance, height, slope and adjacencies. 
• Demonstrated creativity and ability to troubleshoot landscape construction issues
• Spatial analysis.

• Excellent oral and written English language skills. Not required to be a native English speaker, but fluency in English will be required.

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work including the general public. 

This job announcement is not intended to, and does not, create an employment contract of any kind and does not create any express or implied contractual obligations. Employment at MRCA is at-will without exception. The employee and MRCA may terminate employment at any time with or without advance notice and with or without cause.

Any provision contained in this job announcement may be modified or revoked at any time without notice.

Job PDF: 

Ideal Candidate

This position requires a highly motivated, responsible, organized and self-starter individual who can handle an array of tasks, has good judgment and can make decisions, and works both independently and as part of a team. The individual must be able to come up with multiple solutions to any given problem and understand legal implications of design in the public realm. A current landscape architect license issued by the State of California is required. A person with an aptitude for clear communication and facilitating consensus among parties with differing priorities will thrive.

Benefits

Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority offers a comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of its employees and their families. Eligibility for benefits varies depending on the category of employment and how long the employee has worked. Our employees have access to several benefits, including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Paid Leave: Vacation, Holidays, Sick Leave
• Retirement and Deferred Compensation option
• Health/Dental Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

MRCA offers both Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans for Medical and Dental. A Vision Plan and Life Insurance is included with all options. Eligible employees may enroll in a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan (MRCA matches the employee contribution up to a maximum of 6.2%) and Flexible Spending Accounts for dependent care and health/dental care. MRCA contracts with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to provide a defined benefits program for eligible employees.

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Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority ofrece un paquete integral de beneficios para satisfacer las necesidades de sus empleados(as) y sus familias. La elegibilidad para los beneficios varía según la categoría de empleo y el tiempo que el/la empleado/a haya trabajado. Nuestros/as empleados/as tienen acceso a varios beneficios, incluidos:

• Médicos
• Dentales
• Visión
• Licencia paga: Vacaciones, feriados, licencia por enfermedad
• Opción de Retiro y Compensación Diferida
• Cuenta de gastos flexibles médicos/dentales
• Cuenta de gastos flexibles de atención de dependientes
• Seguro de vida
• Programa de Asistencia a Empleados

MRCA ofrece planes médicos y dentales, tanto de Organización de Mantenimiento de la Salud (HMO) como de Organización de Proveedores Preferidos (PPO). Se incluye un plan de visión y un seguro de vida con todas las opciones. Los/las empleados(as) elegibles pueden inscribirse en un Plan de Remuneración Diferida 457(b) (MRCA iguala la contribución del/de la  empleado(a) hasta un máximo de 6.2%) y Cuentas de Gastos Flexibles para la atención de dependientes y la atención médica/dental. MRCA tiene un contrato con el Sistema de Retiro para Empleados Públicos de California (CalPERS) para brindar un programa de beneficios definido a los empleados elegibles.

 

Special Instructions

Please attach a resume and letter of interest. Complete all sections of the application completely and accurately.  The application must be fully completed even if you are attaching a resume. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications submitted with blanks or unfinished responses may not be considered for this position.

The acceptance of your application will depend on whether you have clearly shown that you meet the minimum requirements. Please contact us if you need an accommodation in the recruitment process or an alternate format of this announcement. The position is open to the public for all qualified applicants.

Depending on the applicant pool, not all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be selected to continue in the recruitment process. This position will remain open until filled. The eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill this vacancy and other vacancies in the future.

All notifications will be sent to the phone number or e-mail address provided on your application or resume. Candidates are responsible for providing a valid phone number and/or e-mail address.

All information is subject to verification at any point during the recruitment process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of any information may result in disqualification or withdrawal of appointment.

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Por favor adjunte un currículum y una carta de interés. Complete todas las secciones de la solicitud de forma completa y precisa. La solicitud debe estar completamente completa incluso si está adjuntando un currículum. No se aceptan currículums en lugar de una aplicación completa. Las solicitudes enviadas con espacios en blanco o respuestas sin terminar no se considerarán para este puesto.

La aceptación de su solicitud dependerá de si ha demostrado claramente que cumple con los requisitos mínimos. Póngase en contacto con nosotros si necesita una adaptación en el proceso de reclutamiento o un formato alternativo de este anuncio.

El puesto está abierto al público para todos los/as solicitantes calificados(as). En función del grupo de solicitantes, no todos/das los/las solicitantes que cumplan con los requisitos mínimos serán seleccionados(as) para continuar en el proceso de reclutamiento. La lista de elegibilidad de este reclutamiento puede usarse para llenar está vacante y otras vacantes en el futuro.

Todas las notificaciones se enviarán al número de teléfono o a la dirección de correo electrónico que proporcione en su solicitud o su currículum. Los/as candidatos/as son responsables de proporcionar un número de teléfono o una dirección de correo electrónico válidos.

Toda la información está sujeta a verificación en cualquier momento durante el proceso de reclutamiento, incluso después de que se haya realizado una cita. La falsificación de cualquier información podrá resultar en la descalificación o retiro del nombramiento.

Recruitment Contact

Contact email: 

[email protected]

Job Tags

Holiday work, Full time, Contract work, For contractors, Work experience placement, For subcontractor, Remote job, Outdoor, Flexible hours, Monday to Friday,

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