Landscape Construction and Maintenance Inspector

Landscape Construction and Maintenance Inspector (Onsite)

Straughan Environmental, Inc. (Straughan) is a successful, rapidly growing business that provides high-quality and cost-effective environmental consulting services to a wide variety of clients in the government and private sectors. Straughan is committed to sustainable design and is qualified in nearly all aspects of environmental service, including engineering, planning, design, and policy. Our staff consists of natural, wildlife, and wetland scientists; geomorphologists; civil, and environmental, and water resources engineers; biologists and botanists; planners; foresters; cultural resource specialists; and GIS and CADD technicians. This combination of technical expertise and an understanding of policy make Straughan a highly competitive firm and a great place to advance your career.

Straughan Environmental is seeking an Onsite Landscape Construction and Maintenance Inspector to join our Natural Resources Business Unit. The successful candidate must have 3 years of experience in horticulture, pesticide application, vegetation management, turf management and supervision of construction and landscape installations, and would perform the following duties:

• Inspect and provide technical advice on landscape installation and maintenance projects to ensure the work is performed in accordance with contract documents;
• Inspect plant material for landscape projects to verify the proper type and size and to verify plants are disease free prior to and during installation;
• Coordinate field activities with contractors and various public and private agencies;
• Prepare reports for various environmental issues;
• Apply plant and landscape knowledge to approve plant material and layout locations prior to planting and provide guidance regarding general landscaping practices; and,
• Administer landscape and environmental projects through conducting field inspections, providing guidance, and managing all contract records and documentation.

The selected candidate will support the Maryland Department of Transportation/State Highway Administration (MDOT/SHA) Landscape Program Division’s Western Region Team, including performing inspections in MDOT/SHA District 6 (including Washington, Allegheny, and Garrett Counties) and SHA District 7 (including Carroll, Frederick, and Howard Counties).  MDOT/SHA field locations.

Required Skills/Requirements

• Knowledge of plant biology, plant identification, landscape design and common insect and diseases of trees and ornamental plants.
• Ability to interpret landscape design plans and documentation as it relates to installation and maintenance.
• Knowledge of MDOT/SHA landscape installation and maintenance contract specifications, schedules, and special requirements.
• Skill in the performance of code enforcement function including erosion and sediment control inspection, pesticide application, and review of landscape and construction plans and on-site inspections.
• Skill in report writing and communicating with MDOT/SHA representatives, other consultants, and contractors.
• Skill in the clear and concise communication (both oral and written) of technical information related to development standards.
• Competency in Microsoft Word and Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and Internet browsers.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisory staff and working partners.
• Ability to direct contractors, as needed, regarding maintenance of traffic, safety, and landscape installation and maintenance specifications.
• Ability to maintain organized records for a variety of ongoing projects and work independently.

• High School Degree.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Skills

• Certified Pesticide Applicator
• Licensed Tree Expert
• Certified Arborist
• Erosion and Sediment Control Yellow Card

Required Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Affirmative Action, and Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Straughan is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.  Straughan affirms its long-standing commitment to maintain a diverse workforce reflective of the communities in which we operate, maintains a business culture that recognizes the contributions and interests of diverse cultural and social groups, and maximizes employee efforts by understanding individual differences and perspectives.  It is the policy of Straughan not merely to refrain from employment discrimination as required by federal, state, and local enactments, but to take positive affirmative action to realize for women, people of color, individuals with physical or mental disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veterans’ full equal employment opportunity.  It is also our goal to employ and advance in employment individuals with disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identify, and protected veterans, and to treat qualified individuals without discrimination on the basis of their physical or mental disability or veteran status.