Sr. Landscape Architect

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens, and swimming pools. Our mission is to equip employees and the public for their well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment, and a vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate, and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults, and seniors. Delivering excellent customer service to all is a core value.

Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs, and facilities. #OneSeattleSeattle

Our Facilities Division of the Parks and Recreation Services Branch performs maintenance at over 25 miles of boulevards, 465 parks, including 26 community centers, 8 indoor swimming pools, 2 outdoor (summer) swimming pools, 4 environmental education centers, 2 small-craft centers, 4 golf courses, and an outdoor stadium. We place strong emphasis on providing excellent customer service to the public, clients, and staff to ensure public safety and enjoyment while they are at SPR facilities and parks.

We are seeking a strong leader to provide management direction and program coordination for the Water Management Program. This position focuses on operational management of water use for park purposes such as human health and safety, landscape health, and recreation. Position emphasis is on landscape and facility water use and stormwater management through green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). Water re-use planning and integration is an opportunity for further development.

This person in this position should be able to move quickly between complex detailed technical issues and broad policy issues and function effectively with a high degree of independence and initiative.

This work requires considerable independent judgment decisions and recommendations must balance human engagement in the landscape with technical knowledge, horticultural and maintenance considerations, and code compliance. The work uses skills and experience in landscape design, planning principles, basic civil engineering principles, and understanding design documents, construction plans and specifications, and code interpretation. The work occurs in a team and matrix-management environment.

The Water Management Coordinator (Sr. Landscape Architect) is a key member of the Sustainable Operations team, supervises one additional staff, and reports to the Sustainable Operations Manager. This workgroup focuses largely on utility conservation, including energy retrofits and decarbonization capital projects, operational strategies and staff training aimed at energy conservation and water resource management, coordination with capital programs, maintaining historic utility billing databases, and other related work.

We are currently recruiting for one (1) regular, benefited position.

This position coordinates water management activities across multiple SPR divisions (Facilities Maintenance, Parks and Environment (P&E), Natural Resources, Finance, Planning and Capital Development (PCD), Property Management, Partnerships, and Recreation).

Specific duties include:

• Participates in SPRs climate mitigation and adaptation work as it relates to SPR water use

• Provides irrigation system technical support to SPR staff (Facilities Trades, Grounds Operations and Maintenance, Capital Project Coordinators), and occasionally to other City departments

• Reviews Capital Improvement Project plans and specifications for compliance with City and SPR standards, and makes irrigation design recommendations to SPR staff, Consultant Landscape Architects and Irrigation Designers
• Contributes to SPR and Citywide construction standards and specification updates
• Plans irrigation systems upgrades and replacements in collaboration with PCD
• Inspects and commissions new irrigation system installations for P&E operations use

• May perform irrigation design, construction inspection, and record documentation for small projects

• Under limited supervision, communicates, coordinates and collaborates with external agencies, other City departments, and the public on projects that impact SPRs irrigation systems or GSI facilities
• Develops and maintains SPR Geographic Information Systems (GIS) asset data including Water Systems, On-site Stormwater Management (OSM, or GSI) Facilities, Electrical and other SPR assets, concurrent with tracking and reviewing capital project design and construction
• Coordinates annual OSM inspections for SPR for the Citys National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit compliance, documents results, reviews and reports findings; coordinates any needed non-routine follow-up
• Working closely with SPR GIS IT staff, develops and maintains GIS Webmaps and FieldMaps and staff access to GIS utility data resources; provides training for staff on use of GIS applications
• Supervises the Water Management Specialist on operation of SPRs two central control irrigation systems, including overall performance, staff use and training, cellular equipment maintenance, troubleshooting and other technical support
• Works with Water Management Specialist to train staff on irrigation operations, including course objectives, content and delivery method; and coordinates external irrigation training opportunities
• Researches, implements, tests/evaluates use of new or innovative technologies to support water conservation or labor efficiencies, support ongoing operation of same

• Manages utility bill database maintenance used to track water use; performs analysis, QA/QC, supports high-use investigation, and delivers regular communications around water use, water supply and related topics to the Department

• Supervises SPR's enrollment in the Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) Submeter Program for sewer charge deductions
• Manages SPR's participation in SPUs Stormwater Credit Program for property Drainage Fee discounts (another potential area for expansion)

*Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice .

Requires a minimum of four years of experience in landscape architecture, and a baccalaureate degree in Landscape Architecture (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class). License, Certification and Other Requirements

• Registration as a professional Landscape Architect in the State of Washington is required for employment.
• Current State of Washington driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Successful candidates will also demonstrate:

• High motivation and ability to work independently, or as a team member in a demanding work environment, meeting tight deadlines.
• Capital project management planning, design, construction and documentation experience, especially in public park landscape infrastructure
• Experience in water management and sustainability initiatives, including landscapes, facilities, infrastructure improvements, operational best practices, water capture and reuse or related
• 3 years of design, construction, and best maintenance practices for operation of irrigation central control systems, including remote monitoring, weather-based scheduling and leak detection; strong troubleshooting skills
• Western Washington Green Stormwater Infrastructure or On-site Stormwater Facility design, construction, or maintenance and operation
• Experience in enterprise database management: planning, development, analysis, implementation and maintenance (ex. utility bill history, weather-related irrigation indices, system assets)
• 3 years Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technical skills for utility asset data collection, QA/QC processes, and analysis to support capital planning work
• 3 years experience (using current version from past 3 years) in AutoCAD.
• Competence in maintaining clear and comprehensive written records.
• Experience in interacting with the public coupled with a high level of proficiency in customer service.
• Training and communicating with diverse audiences in various environments (ie. written reports, classroom sessions, on-line, or in an outdoor setting), on topics ranging from big picture to technical detail
• 2+ years of People Management experience, including performance management.
• Strong computer application skills: Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, BlueBeam, AutoCAD, Esri GIS applications such as ArcPro, Field Maps, etc., OneDrive, Sharepoint, Teams, or similar
• Experience maintaining municipal or large commercial facilities.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• Most work is performed in an office environment; occasional work at landscape construction sites is required.
• Required to work outdoors in all types of weather.
• May work near heavy equipment.
• Required to work near energized equipment.

The full salary range for this position is $71.02 - $82.60 hourly.

This position is represented Professional & Technical Employees Local 17 Sr. Professionals.

Application Process:

*Incomplete Applications will not be considered*

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Who May Apply : This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle Parks and Recreation values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle Parks and Recreation encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattles Fair Chance Employment Ordinance , SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3 . A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020 .Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation time, 12 paid holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: style="color: inherit">.

Want to know more about Parks and Recreation? Check out our web page: Seattle Parks and Recreation - Parks | seattle.gov

SPRs Core Competencies are:

Accountability & Action: Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making and promoting high quality standards.

Equity and Inclusion: Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the City's commitment to workforce equity.

Communication : Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.

Service: An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.

Teamwork : Participating as an engaged member of a team to achieve group goals. Effectively working with internal and external people to complete tasks and achieve work group goals.