City of CambridgeABOUT THE ROLE:
The Community Planning Division leads the planning and design of the City’s open space system. We assess open space needs throughout the City and develop recommendations for future open space development. Our planners, landscape architect, and designers work together with the community and other City departments to design attractive, creative, and playful open spaces that serve our diverse community’s needs.
The Senior Landscape Architect is responsible for managing the design of new or renovated parks, playgrounds, and open spaces, including leading participatory community processes.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the direction of the Community Planning Director, the Senior Landscape Architect will support the division in the following ways.
- Manage park and open space design projects; this requires managing teams of staff and consultants involved in design of open spaces throughout the city, and actively managing schedules and budget.
- Work with City staff, consultants, and contractors to implement the Open Space Plan in City Capital Projects including parks, streets, sidewalks, and public buildings.
- Guide design vision for City’s open space system and individual parks, with input from all interests in the Cambridge community.
- Work with an interdisciplinary team of City staff throughout the design process;. ensure that open space projects meet the city’s high design goals for equity, livability, and sustainability.
- Coordinate with various city, state and federal agencies on projects and related open space issues.
- Ensure the plans, specifications, and estimates developed for projects meet the needs of the Department and City and will result in successful projects.
- Collaborate with staff and/or consultants to conduct inclusive and equitable public processes around open space and public realm projects.
- Review design of private development projects to ensure they are incorporating recommendations from City’s various open space and environmental plans.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education and Experience:
- Undergraduate degree in landscape architecture or related field.
- 7 years of progressively responsible experience in design and construction of landscape improvements including park projects, urban plazas, and streetscapes. A Master’s degree may be substituted for 2 years of experience.
- Although the applicant’s expertise should be primarily in landscape architecture, a thorough understanding of environmental sustainability and public space design is highly important.
- Strong interpersonal, customer service, project management; and budget preparation skills.
- Ability to work independently, proactively, and as a team player. Applicant must be comfortable working in a multidisciplinary team environment and in settings with extensive community participation.
- Strong computer skills including demonstrated facility with software (Word, Excel, Access); knowledge of and experience using Adobe Creative Cloud software, including InDesign, as well as other design software.
- Excellent visual presentation, written, and oral communication skills.
- Ability to develop and prepare conceptual, schematic, and final design documents (construction drawings and specifications); prepare bid packages; inspect construction of landscaped areas; and develop operation and maintenance plans.
- Knowledge of relevant local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations related to accessibility.
- Knowledge of construction materials, specifications, and processes.
- Knowledge of procurement procedures for design and construction of public works projects.
- Demonstrated understanding of the role that racial inequity plays in our society.
- Must be self-motivated and detail-oriented and have the ability to work as part of a team.
- Strong commitment to equity and respect, both in the provision of services and in the workplace.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Demonstrated ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies in a courteous, compassionate, and professional manner.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Designation as registered landscape architect.
- Knowledge of the Cambridge community.
- Expertise in using programs for physical space and 3-D visualization are highly desirable.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to answer phones, maintain multiple files, and lift a minimum of at least 10 pounds. Ability to travel throughout the City of Cambridge to various meetings, etc. Work involves frequent site visits, requiring travel to and through active construction zones, driving, walking, bending, squatting, reaching, and stretching. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work involved is both indoors in a professional office setting and outdoors including construction sites and congested city roadways under all weather conditions. Standard office environment. Fluorescent lighting and air conditioning. Moderate noise level. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy, depending on operational needs.
SALARY/BENEFITS:
- Rate: $83,531‐$110,390 + excellent benefits
- Summary of Benefits: Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance; Vacation and Sick leave eligible; Sick Incentive Pay Eligible; 3 Personal days; 14 Paid Holidays; Management Allowance, $2,700/year; City employee transportation benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle)
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Submit both your resume and cover letter via email to: employment@cambridgema.gov or to the Personnel Dept, Room 309, City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02139. Fax 617-349-4312. Resume and cover letter requested by 03/14/23. Position will remain open until filled.
