OC Parks Sr. Landscape Architect, Planning & Design

CAREER DESCRIPTION

OC Parks Senior Landscape Architect, Planning & Design

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER)

SALARY INFORMATION In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following dates :

Effective June 30, 2023 4.75% increase

Effective June 28, 2024 4.25% increase

Effective June 27, 2025 3.5% increase

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and the successful candidate’s qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Sr. Project Manager positions.

This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and / or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange. DEADLINE TO APPLY

Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 11 : 59 p.m. (PT) Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

OC Community Resources is a multi-faceted department comprised of OC Animal Care, OC Community Services, OC Housing & Community Development, OC Parks, and OC Public Libraries.

Click for more information on the County of Orange.

OC Parks encompasses regional, wilderness and historical facilities, as well as the OC Parks Zoo and coastal areas throughout the County of Orange in California.

Featuring 60,000 acres of parkland, open space and shoreline, Orange County’s award-winning parks and programs are enjoyed by millions of residents and visitors each year, in ways as diverse as the parks themselves.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Senior Landscape Architect, Planning & Design (Senior Project Manager) within OC Parks is responsible for developing and executing park planning and design projects under direct supervision of the OC Parks Planning and Design Manager.

This position is in charge of day-to-day project responsibilities including consultant coordination and general team communication.

The Senior Landscape Architect, Planning & Design provides oversight and guidance to other design and planning professionals and support staff to ensure quality work.

Key duties include preparing park planning and development documents, gathering and analyzing data, providing budgetary and policy guidance, managing staff positions, and managing multi-disciplinary teams of engineers, landscape architects, architects, planners, and environmental consultants.

Other duties include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Provide technical design and planning assistance to field staff.
• Provide facilitation and manage project advisory committees.
• Conduct presentations at public meetings and facilitate public input.
• Create exhibits (sketches, diagrams and drawings) as necessary to communicate design intent.
• Provide design and technical guidance during project construction.
• Prepare project status reports and schedules.

The position requires flexibility to travel throughout Orange County and attend evening and / or weekend meetings.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will possess a valid Landscape Architect’s license issued by the California Board of Architectural Examiners.

The ideal candidate will also possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher in architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, construction technology, construction management, design, or construction of civil / public works, or related field with five (5) or more years of experience working with architect-engineers and other consultant teams and supervising landscape architects or architects.

In addition, the ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge and / or experience in the following core competencies :

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

• Working professional experience in a variety of planning and design project types and scales
• Providing technical oversight and manage high-profile park development planning and capital improvement projects
• Applying fundamental landscape architectural planning, design, construction, and / or trade practices to specific projects
• Understanding and application of accessibility design standards (Americans with Disabilities Act requirements), low impact development practices, sustainable design, drought tolerant landscape and irrigation design, habitat restoration, and arboriculture
• Applying knowledge and literacy in the use of landscape architecture and project management application software such as geographical information system (GIS), computer-aided design (CAD), and graphics / design visualization applications
• Applying strong skills with software related to word processing and graphics, spreadsheets, schedules, statistical analysis, and geographic analysis

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS

• Developing and leading a professional workforce
• Managing project scope, schedule, and budget and providing recommendations if issues arise
• Leading project team and coordinating with stakeholders from project concept to completion
• Guiding design teams to create designs for safe, accessible, aesthetically pleasing, and functional park facilities and improvements
• Assisting executive management in developing departmental business objectives and specific project strategies
• Providing leadership and guidance to internal and contracted staff to achieve project and developmental goals that are aligned with overall business objectives
• Understanding and addressing customer needs within the guidelines of policy
• Making sound decisions within a professional ethical framework

ANALYSIS AND PROBLEM SOLVING

• Understanding, interpreting, and enforcing compliance with plans, specifications, schedules, and contract provisions
• Recognizing problems of project scope, budget, schedule, plans, and specifications and determining necessary changes
• Researching, evaluating, estimating, and accurately interpreting and applying technical data and policy information to solve problems and / or make recommendations to management

PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION

• Planning and organizing work effectively to ensure that assignments are on schedule
• Completing assignments on time and within budget and policy

COMMUNICATION AND WRITING SKILLS

• Working collaboratively with leaders, members of the community, and with other staff members within the office and in other disciplines
• Initiating documentation to start the Agenda Staff Report process for projects requiring the Board of Supervisors approval
• Building consensus and negotiating with public and private parties
• Negotiating and managing competitive bidding processes for complex contracts
• Presenting ideas in a clear, logical, and concise manner
• Communicating in an effective manner to individuals and / or groups with diverse interests including contractors and departmental representatives

Minimum Qualifications

Click for the complete classification description for Sr. Project Manager including the physical, mental, environmental, and working conditions.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and / or desirable qualifications. After the screening, candidates who meet the minimum and / or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process.

All candidates will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Written Examination Multiple Choice (Weighted 100%)

A written examination consisting of job-related, multiple-choice questions will be administered in a virtual setting. Only the highest-scoring candidates will move forward to the next step in the recruitment process.

Based on the Department’s needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. Candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for current and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings.