Landscape Architect

Overview

Main Purpose and Function The Watershed Urban Design Landscape Architect I provides landscape architecture and urban design planning, policy, and design expertise to an interdisciplinary team responsible for leading the Sewers and Drainage Planning work. The role supports the Citys efforts to be a leader in clean water, green buildings, access to nature in the urban environment, fostering a green economy, and building a resilient city in the face of a changing climate.

The Watershed Urban Design Landscape Architect I reports to the Senior Urban Designer in Sewers and Drainage Planning. The Landscape Architect I engages with a wide range of Engineering branches (including Green Rainwater Infrastructure, Transportation Planning, Street Activities, Development and Major Projects) and City departments such as Planning, Environmental Services, and Parks and Recreation, in the development of plans and concepts for public realm green infrastructure.

• Explores, develops and evaluates landscape and urban design conceptual plans and designs to support the implementation of rainwater management and green infrastructure.
• Provides technical expertise for city-led planning or policy initiatives that require an integrated approach to rainwater management.
• Supports the Senior Urban Designer to work cross-functionally with other City departments, external agencies and community stakeholders to develop concepts and implementation timelines that integrate multiple objectives in key areas such as climate change resilience, transportation planning and design, urban design, rezoning and developments, green jobs, biodiversity and habitat and community building.
• Reviews public realm integrated rainwater management proposals for development policy statements.
• Retains and evaluates landscape planning and design consultants, as needed.
• Provides project management for specific planning projects with a heavy emphasis on landscape design, including development of estimate costs.
• Prepares plans and graphic materials to support the exploration of design concepts and implementation plan proposals.
• Prepares reports, presentations, letters and memos and assist with Council reports.
• Assists in managing documentation related to consultant work.

• Education and Experience: Post-secondary degree with a specialization in landscape architecture and a minimum of two years experience in landscape and urban design, preferably involving public infrastructure.
• Membership in the BC Society of Landscape Architecture.

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of landscape architecture and development projects.
• Considerable knowledge of landscape construction methods, materials, and ongoing operations and maintenance needs.
• Considerable knowledge of office administration including the principles of costing.
• Strong knowledge in preparing visual concept plans, presentation materials and using computer software such as Word, Excel, Power Point, AutoCAD, ArcGIS, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Sketch Up.
• Demonstrated capacity as a creative and innovative team player who has delivered success in government or other complex public or private sector environments.
• Extensive knowledge of integrated rainwater management and green infrastructure policy, planning, design, and/or operations.
• Ability as a project manager with strong organizational and time management skills, including the capacity to effectively manage multiple tasks of moderate complexity while setting and meeting competing deadlines.
• Ability to develop budgets and planning and prioritizing the implementation of multi-year projects.
• Ability to develop and manage consultant contracts, including scopes of work, requests for proposals, and contract execution.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively on interdisciplinary teams, with staff across City departments, with consultants, outside agencies, industry stakeholders, and the public.
• Ability to prepare preliminary drawings, sketch plans, specifications and preliminary cost estimates for a variety of related projects.

• Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Versatile Work Program. This program allows staff to work a hybrid work week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.
• Business Unit/Department:
  Engineering Services (1300)