Job Description

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Under general direction from the Landscape Manager, the Landscape Designer provides landscape design consultation by creating landscape plans and designs, preparing cost estimates, doing research, and attending meetings with clients and workers involved in designing or planning.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

• Using creativity and the beauty of nature to create a harmonious, aesthetically pleasing and functional area. Areas may include residential and commercial lawns and community common areas.
• Planning the landscape product per architectural building guidelines, tying in new features with current ones by sketching it to scale. These drawings will be detailed, down to plant type, mature size, storm water flow, etc.
• Performing site analyses that include the assessment of current plants, soil conditions, lighting, the view, and architecture style of the house.
• The ability to communicate well both with clients and other types of workers (contractors, supervisors) on the landscaping team.
• Researching topics such as plants and their ability to survive in an area, guidelines and codes.
• Make public presentations when necessary to discuss the project, complete with charts, sketches, and so forth.
• Reviewing plans, proposed changes, and any other necessary documents.
• Keeping records, including everything from correspondence to reports.
• Assisting with establishing cost budgets and procurement of plants and related materials.

JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• An understanding of art, including color theory, texture, balance, proportion, and more. A strong background in horticulture, understanding which plants will work where, and why they will thrive there. You’ll need to be creative, yet unafraid of working with your hands and collecting research. In addition, you will need:
• Wide-ranging knowledge of plants, trees and related landscape material specific to our plant hardiness zone
• Knowledge of how ecological conditions can affect a proposed design
• An understanding of the laws and codes you will have to abide by in specific areas
• Raw talent for sketching and drawing. Though you will use a computer program for most plans, you should still be able to create realistic drawings by hand.
• Principles and practices of incorporating proper grading, slopes and storm water management into landscape plans
• Methods, materials and equipment used in the maintenance, repair and construction of landscaping and irrigation systems
• Hazards and accepted safety precautions in the construction of landscaping, and operation of related tools and equipment
• Methods of estimating time, materials and equipment needed to perform assigned work in a safe and productive manner

ABILITY TO

• Establish daily priorities and effectively manage own time
• Converse by telephone, email and in person and be clearly understood
• Respond courteously and tactfully to public inquiries and complaints
• Read and interpret landscape maintenance and landscape construction specifications
• Utilize computer and related software to assist in design, estimating and related financial management

Job Tags

Similar Jobs