Job description

Summary:
This is a challenging and unique role that provides the ability to integrate landscape design principles into the planning of mega diverse living collections developed to support and integrate conservation, research, education, and display. This role supports medium- and long-term planning through production of landscape and planting plans. Participates in landscape / collections design task force meetings and produces any plans that result from direction decided. Manages development of planting plans and landscape designs to aid horticulturists to incorporate permanent living collections taxa into aesthetic displays appropriate to landscape themes in various areas of the Garden. Implements targets set in the landscape area descriptions and follows the collections policies while helping horticulture staff display plants in beautiful and aesthetically pleasing plantings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Completes sight surveying and analysis in collaboration as necessary with the GIS Specialist.
• Plots short medium and longer-term landscape plans into AutoCAD and modifies as necessary
• Aids horticulturists in reading designs and laying out plants for planting projects.
• Aids horticulture staff in designing landscapes through creating planting plans in AutoCAD and providing advice and support for developing aesthetically pleasing plantings / plant combinations.
• Develops Sketchup 3D landscape illustrations to help gain support for and communicate landscape renovations and new landscape projects.
• Produces landscape elevations as requested to help in the landscape design process and to provide information.
• Ensures that plantings are designed in ways that ensure accessions data and genetic diversity can be maintained.
• Monitors and plans for long term landscape development needs, including establishment of screening plantings and preservation of viewsheds/vistas.
• Ensures that designs incorporate highest levels of plant diversity into designs to support to the gardens collections goals and policy.
• Serves as a member of the Garden design task force.
• Designs with the broadest range of plant material appropriate for each area of the Garden.
• Working with Landscape Managers, understands the broadest range of plant material appropriate for each area of the Garden and incorporates into designsfor short and long-term projects and planning.
• Participates in identifying cultivated plantings that can be replaced by high value accessions for short and long-term projects and planning.
• Organizes landscape designs into shared files to allow for access by appropriate staff.
• Calculates and provides information on number of plants needed for landscape projects.
• Develops maintenance schedules with estimated costs for planting and landscape plans.
• Works with GIS specialist to utilize GIS in design and link CAD drawing to the Gardens basemap.
• Supports long-term canopy management planning by plotting current and future plantings onto designs.
• Develops designs for outdoor landscapes with a wide variety of themes and conservatory plant collections including desert, Mediterranean and tropical displays, considering terrestrial and epiphytic plants at various levels in the canopy.
• Aids in specifying and sighting art, water features and other Garden features that are incorporated into permanent landscapes.
• Specifies construction for both hard and soft landscape features as requested.
• Provide landscape drawings and plant lists to Institutional Advancement and Communications as requested supervisor.
• Produces descriptive text and goals for a landscape and planting plans, present designs, and planting selections to a wide range of audiences.
• Participates in fieldwork locally, nationally, and internationally as requested.
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; informs employees/students/volunteers of safety guidelines, methods to reduce hazards. Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.

Competencies:

• Communication: Combines listening skills, verbal and written communication skills and visitor relation skills.
• Collaboration: Incorporates teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, cooperation and visitor focus.
• Accountability: Initiative to take ownership of responsibilities, the ability to prioritize and the working knowledge and skills to take action.
• Problem Solving: Blends problem solving skills, judgement and decision making skills along with creativity and resourcefulness.
• Stewardship: Merges the practical application of the Garden values and support for a positive organizational climate.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Minimum of seven (5-7) years of practical, relevant work experience.
• Strong knowledge of plants and growing conditions.
• Thorough understanding of the landscape design process and ability to adapt for differing needs.
• Working knowledge of budget development/management and forecasting.
• Adherence to all health and safety guidelines.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education:

• B.S. Degree in Landscape Architecture, Landscape Design, Horticulture or related field.
• Master’s degree in Landscape Design or Landscape Arcitecture preferred.
• An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills:

• AutoCAD to produce landscape and planting plan.
• Sketchup to produce 3D landscapes and elevations representations.
• Arc GIS software.
• Proficient experience using Microsoft Office suite (i.e., Outlook, Access, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)
• Solid Internet research skills.
• Ability to use e-mail to communicate with Garden staff in order to answer questions and service their needs.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Must possess valid driver’s license prior to employment.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a passport for international travel.
• Must be able to obtain visas, vaccinations and immunizations for all countries where travel is required.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Exceptional public speaking skills required
• Excellent working knowledge and understanding of safe operation of various kinds of equipment and machinery that are common in the field of landscape design

Physical Demands:

• 80% work inside at a desk 20% outside
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions (i.e., in temperatures over 100°F as well as temperatures below 0°F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed)
• Actively works hands-on to complete landscape maintenance tasks.
• Ability to lift 50lbs
• Comfortable working in immediate proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions
• Ability to hike several miles on various terrane in a wide range of weather conditions

Supervisor (title not person):

• Senior Vice President, Horticulture & Living Collections

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