Landscape Architect

Salary range is $81K to $144K with a midpoint of $98K. Total compensation includes project-based premiums that reflect project complexity, political sensitivity, size, and strategic importance. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint of the base range, however, we may go higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

This is a Term-Limited position with an anticipated duration of 5 years.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

The Landscape Architect is a key member of the Architecture and Art Group, within the Center of Excellence Division of the Capital Delivery Department. Under general direction by the Principal Landscape Architect and in coordination with Environmental, Operations and other staff, the Landscape Architect serves as a point of contact for tree and vegetation related issues in design standards and capital project work. This position helps establish and provide a consistent approach for: tree and vegetation protection, impacts, mitigation, landscape design, and maintenance across all Agency projects for all modes of transportation. Provides guidance and coordination agency-wide for landscape architecture work for capital and operational projects, especially for landscape, irrigation, and sustainability issues. Assists with developing standards and consultant scopes of work in coordination with related design disciplines and agency stakeholders.

This position also monitors project landscape construction for conformance to contract requirements; meets with the project team and contractor to discuss issues, resolve problems, and drive issues forward with the construction management team; assists in preparing answers to requests for information from the contractor; contributes to the review of contractor provided submittals; advises consultant design support during construction; and conducts work independently for resolving issues in the field.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Reviews and comments on scope of work for consulting Landscape Architects.
• Reviews and comments on vegetation and visual impact assessments during environmental reviews.
• Advises on tree and planting strategies and designs for mitigation areas, including environmentally sensitive areas.
• Reviews and comments on scope of work for consulting Landscape Architects, including tree surveys and preliminary engineering planting and irrigation design.
• Reviews task orders for tree inventory.
• Negotiates and coordinates with jurisdictions for tree replacement strategies.
• Advises on Low Impact Development strategies and hardscape design.
• Reviews consultant work and preliminary designs for vegetation impacts, protection, and landscaping.
• Reviews scope for consulting Landscape Architects, including for planting and irrigation design, detailing, temporary protection, and final mitigation requirements.
• Reviews consultant work and final designs for vegetation impacts, protection, and landscaping.
• Reviews planting submittals and requests for deviations for tree and planting standards.
• Performs on-site observations of construction activities related to vegetation protection and plantings.
• Engages Sound Transit (ST) Operations in monitoring plans for landscaping adjacent to facilities.
• Manages standard documentation content for landscape design criteria, planting and related specifications, and standard landscape details.
• Ensures adherence to agency, Authorities Having Jurisdiction, and user requirements.
• Reviews and advises on project requests for deviations from standard landscape design documents.
• Assists Operations & Maintenance, through collaboration with Operations Landscape Program Manager, to provide guidance on maintenance, restoration, and/or enhancement of ST managed landscaped areas.
• Presents materials to ST staff, permitting agencies, community members, design review boards, management, and stakeholders as required for the projects assigned. Participates in public meetings as needed.
• Provides support to the Department/Division and others on matters as directed and performs other related duties as required.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture or related field. Four years of experience in landscape architectural experience, and some professional experience with public projects; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid registration as a Landscape Architect issued by the State of Washington.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Landscape Architecture design principles and practices.
• Building and zoning codes and regulations.
• Principles and practices of contract negotiation, administration, and understanding of contractual relationships for consultants and contractors.
• Principles and practices of the building and construction industry.
• Understanding of contract documents including production, strategies, purpose and layout sections, and Technical Specifications.
• Understanding of landscape construction materials and methods, including use of materials, equipment, means and methods of construction, and risks in construction associated with materials and methods.
• Principles of financial management (expenditure tracking, variance identification, revenue tracking), principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
• Knowledge of various third-party requirements, such as codes, standards, and guidelines.
• Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including the American with Disabilities Act.
• Project management techniques and principles.
• Principles of business writing and report preparation.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Working independently or as a team on complex problems or projects where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of variables and decision making or recommendations to upper management.
• Managing and/or overseeing complex projects or multiple smaller projects concurrently.
• Negotiating and identifying solutions that balance the Agency's interests and those of the negotiating partner(s), within financial capacity.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the public.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Interpreting and applying applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Working effectively under pressure, meeting deadlines, and adjusting to changing priorities.
• Conducting research and analysis and providing appropriate recommendations based on findings.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
• This position is responsible for site visits to determing physical conditions for project design; may be subject to seeing.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.