Landscape Architect

Overview

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority is recruiting for a Staff Landscape Architect to 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. Applications for this position are accepted online at the MRCA career site. Please contact  if you need an accommodation in the recruitment process.

Learn more about joining the MRCA team at the MRCA employment page.

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 Work programs, and other efforts related to public access, open space conservation, habitat restoration, and urban park development. Ability to speak Spanish and acurrent landscape architect license issued by the State of California are required.

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 listof 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 toaddress 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.

• 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…