Landscape Architect Manager jobs in Modesto, CA

The Associate Landscape Architect/Associate Architect is responsible to manage Parks Projects including Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), Park Partners Program, and compliance with environmental regulations and City development standards; and to perform a variety of technical level tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:  

Essential Functions:

Coordinate and manage complex Parks Capital Improvement Projects (parks, trails, streets, and streetscapes, and building facilities), including media contact/interaction, administration of contracts with consultants/contractors, management of outside consultants in the preparation of construction documents and cost estimates, and inspection of construction to ensure federal, county, state, and city codes and standards are met.

Coordinate and manage complex Park Partner volunteer projects, including contact with local groups to secure interest, raise funds, facilitate meetings, coordinate purchases and deliveries, and supervise volunteers, contractors, vendors, and City forces in the construction and completion of projects.

Coordinate and conduct complex landscape plan checks and construction inspections for Capital Improvement Projects and residential and non-residential projects to ensure compliance with state and local ordinances, including but not limited to, the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and Storm-water Quality Control Measure requirements. 

Provide technical and professional support services to City staff, including other departments.

Assist with designing and updating the City’s standards for landscape, irrigation, streetscape, and park development including meeting with representatives of the construction and building industry to implement new City standards and development processes.

Maintain records of all plans and contract documents and prepare and maintain records for plan checking procedures.

Provide technical input, including cost estimates, for the preparation of the City Operating Budget and CIP budget.

Prepare, manage, and review complex Environmental Impact, CEQA, NEPA, and other regulatory agency documents and permits.

Coordinate and conduct public meetings on the development of neighborhood, community, and regional parks including preparation of reports and multi-media presentations to the City Council and citizens.

Perform acting responsibilities in the absence of the Senior Landscape Architect/ Senior Architect and/or Division Manager, including attending managerial meetings.

Monitor and provide training to staff which may include volunteers, interns, and alternative work force.

Use and provide technical assistance with a variety of computer aided design and graphic design software (i.e. AutoCAD, Adobe Suite, Sketchup, etc.) to design/refine designs of construction projects, including the preparation of professional construction documents and conceptual plans. 

Design and inspect playground equipment for compliance with safety and accessibility requirements.

Prepare and manage federal, state, and county grant applications for CIP projects.

Identify and assist with the acquisition of property for park development.

Provide information to citizens and staff; respond to and resolve citizen inquiries and complaints.

Manage fund development as it relates to CIP and Park Partners projects.

Investigate field problems affecting property owners, contractors, and maintenance operations.

Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.

Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.

Marginal Functions:

Knowledge of:

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations.

Principles and practices of construction administration inspection.

Principles, practices, and methods of the Landscape Architecture, Architecture, and Civil Engineering professions as applied to park and park facilities design and construction installation.

Practices and principles of municipal budgeting.

Ability to:

Utilize graphic information such as blueprints, layouts, or other visual aids.

Facilitate public design workshops; negotiate outcome on a variety of issues.

Analyze complex design issues and effectively resolve them.

Incorporate fund-development processes in capital improvement projects.

Present to a variety of private citizens, public groups, boards, commissions, councils, and other organizations, resulting in successful city/community partnerships.

Create multi-media presentations for private citizens, public groups, board, commissions, councils and other organizations.

Create landscape/architectural designs and construction documents that meet citizen needs.

Prepare and review construction plans and specifications, construction drawings, cost estimates, and bid documents.

Administer complex Capital Improvement Projects, including planning, coordination, and review of park and park facilities site development.

Effectively perform construction inspections for Capital Improvement Projects and residential and non-residential projects to ensure compliance with accessibility, water, and storm drainage ordinances. 

Multi-task and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications. 

Experience and Training Guidelines

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

Experience:

Three years of increasingly responsible experience in capital improvement program management including planning, design, and development of parks landscaping and building facilities.

Training:

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in construction administration, land use planning, civil engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, public administration, business administration, or a related field is desired.

License or Certificate:

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license.

Possession of, a registered Landscape Architect license for Associate Landscape Architect classification.

Possession of a registered Architect license for Associate Architect classification.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting. Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds. Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision. Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone. Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone. Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment. Some positions may be assigned to remote locations. Positions may require occasional overtime or weekend work and travel is rare.