CLASS SERIES CONCEPT AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT is a multidisciplinary profession that combines the knowledge of engineering, planning, environmental science, art, and social science to create studies, plans, and built projects that benefit the human and natural environment. Landscape Architecture is a profession that is regulated through statutes and administrative rules by the Oregon State Landscape Architect Board (OSLAB) to protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. This Concept Series includes four levels that span the range from entry level graduate employees with no experience to the expert level with many years of specialized experience and professional registration.

Landscape architecture or the practice of landscape architecture includes the location, arrangement and design of tangible objects and features that are incidental and necessary for landscape preservation, development, and enhancement. Landscape Architects perform work on project design, master plans, policies, and programs integral to the development of public works projects. The landscape architect’s primary role is to create designs that integrate aesthetic and environmental concerns with engineering, functionality, and safety requirements for the benefit of the built and natural environment. This may include all manner of projects from site design for urban or rural sites, corridor planning and design, landscape preservation plans, and site master plans. Projects could include pedestrian and bicycle trails planning and design up to mass transit facilities and major highways. They also may work on recreational facilities and land areas plans connected to parks, camp grounds, business facilities, rest areas, and viewpoints. Work may include determining aesthetic components of structures, lighting types and placement streetscapes, and pedestrian walkways in urban areas. Designs often include land grading, drainage, soil improvements, seeding, and planting designs. Designs frequently include sites designed to mitigate the natural resource impacts of public works projects as required by regulatory agencies. They can include erosion control plans designed to minimize soil erosion during and after construction of a project.

Landscape Architects work in close association with Engineers, Geologists, Planners, and Environmental and Natural Resource Specialists during project development by performing or directing site investigations in the field, obtaining permits, performing independent design of project elements, producing contract plans and specifications, and cost estimates for those elements. They take professional of record responsibility for all final work products related to those elements. Landscape Architects also work in program and policy areas advising management and coordinating with other agencies, academia, and the public on issues related to operations, planning, funding, and permitting by regulatory and local agencies.

Landscape Architects at the higher level often act as project leads, agency representatives, and advocates by participating in or conducting public meetings and hearings, encourage discussion of alternative points of view for facilities development and management, mediate opposing views among groups to resolve conflicts of land use and development, consult with special interest groups, private individuals, and government agencies about site development and land-use planning. They prepare and present written, graphic and verbal material for general public, government agencies, advisory committees, and news sources.

Landscape Architects may write agreements or direct the work of consultants and contractors by writing and administering contracts. This includes responsibility for developing the scope of work, price negotiations, schedule and delivery of final work products, and quality assurance for project completion.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a four-level, professional class series.

Landscape Architects perform design work alongside and complimentary to the design work done by engineers and geologists. Employees in the Engineering Series and the Geologist Series perform work that is similarly regulated through statutes and administrative rules by their respective licensing boards. These series also span the range from entry level graduate employees with no experience to the expert level with many years of specialized experience and professional registration. Practitioners in the Landscape Architect Series perform design work with similar levels of responsibility and accountability as the employees in the Engineer Series and Geologist Series.

The responsibilities within the Concept and Distinguishing Features are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with these classes. Individual positions may do all or some combination of the responsibilities listed as well as other related responsibilities.

Level 1

The ASSOCIATE IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 1 is the first level of this professional, four-level series. Employees learn landscape architecture design standards and how to apply them to assigned projects, how to use specialized analytical and design software, and how to apply their education in a business setting. Employees are assigned small, routine or less complex projects designed to provide experience and training in real world situations. As experience is gained, employees may be given more complex assignments designed to continue their training and development in landscape architecture and the associated professional disciplines and regulatory requirements. Employees at this level receive professional oversight and on-going instruction or assistance from a registered landscape architect or supervisor and use limited independent technical judgment.

The lesser degree of complexity of assigned responsibilities, the limited independent technical judgement and the on-going professional supervision received distinguishes this class from the higher levels. The assignments are designed primarily to give practical experience to prepare the academically trained employees for the full range of professional work and responsibility.

Level 2

The ASSOCIATE IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 2 is the second level of this professional, four-level series. Employees complete routine to moderately complex projects that result in continued training and development in landscape architecture. Employees at this level complete assigned work with more independent technical judgment and without continuous supervision.

The ASSOCIATE IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 2 independently exercises technical judgment in work assignments where they have experience. Employees carry-out assignments and investigations that require resourcefulness and originality and do landscape architecture work guided by rough sketches, general information and field measurements.

The ASSOCIATE IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 2 receives instruction, assistance and professional oversight from higher level landscape architects or a supervisor less frequently than the lower level class. This level is distinguished from the next higher level by the lesser degree of responsibility to define complex problems, evaluate methods for their solution, interpretation of rules and regulations, and interaction with regulatory agencies. The lack of professional registration and responsibility for final landscape architecture work products further distinguishes this class from the higher level.

Level 3

The PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT 3 is the third level of this professional, four-level series. The employee at this level is licensed through Oregon State Landscape Architect Board (OSLAB) as a Registered Landscape Architect. Employees at this level recognize and define the conditions, problems and hazards that may affect the landscape architecture elements on projects and evaluate methods for their solution, which requires a background of professional education, training, and experience.

The PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT 3 is experienced in the practice of landscape architecture and is fully licensed and takes professional responsibility as defined in Oregon Administrative Rule for their work and the work of lower level staff who prepare work products under their responsible charge. This level is further distinguished from the lower level by the nature and degree of complexity of the assignments, interpretation of rules and regulations as they apply to a project, project specific interaction with regulatory agencies, and the absence of close guidance and supervision.

The absence of statewide program level responsibility to represent the agency as an expert in a highly complex field of professional specialization or making judgements that can directly affect projects having a broad impact on the State’s infrastructure distinguishes this class from the higher level. Landscape architects at this level regularly lead, coordinate, or direct the work of lower level, unlicensed, or licensed landscape architects, consultants, and contractors who perform investigations and design on routine to complex agency projects. They also write and administer personal services contracts related to site master plans, landscape preservation plans, corridor planning and design, roadside development, visual resources or erosion and sediment control designs. This includes responsibility for the scope of work, price negotiations, schedule and delivery of final work products, quality review, and ensuring the accuracy of invoice payments. Landscape architects at this level often sit on statewide committees providing information and recommendations for technical standards and practices, and they help implement statewide programs within their specialty or in their geographic areas of responsibility. They provide project level technical advice to supervisors, managers, engineers, private industry, professional peers and local, state and federal agencies on issues within the areas of expertise under the purview of landscape architecture. They provide technical expertise on difficult or sensitive matters and prepare and coordinate agency or joint proposals for cooperative funding, in-kind service, and joint ventures aimed at meeting large scale project needs in topical or geographical areas of responsibility. As professionals of record, they may also represent the agency and provide testimony during legal proceedings.

Level 4

The PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT 4 is the fourth level of this professional, four-level series. Positions in this class are experts in the field of landscape architecture and have extensive experience working with associated, professional disciplines. They are fully licensed to take professional responsibility as defined in Oregon Administrative Rule for their work and the work of lower level staff who prepare work products under their responsible charge. Employees actively participate in the improvement and strategic direction of their profession within the agency. They advise management on the need to establish or modify agency policies, standards, administrative rules, or on the implications that proposed legislation on the state and federal levels may have on the agency.

The application of advanced expertise to solve unusual or complex problems with original solutions distinguishes this level from the lower level. It is further distinguished from the lower level by providing interpretation of rules and regulations, representing the agency, and interacting with regulatory agencies by reviewing, commenting and negotiating rules and regulations where there is the potential of having state-wide or precedent-setting implications or making judgments within the areas of expertise on significant projects or at the program level having a broad impact on the state infrastructure. It is also distinguished from the lower level by preparing and providing landscape, erosion control, sediment control, and other related trainings.

The PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT 4 regularly leads, coordinates, and directs the work of lower level staff, including other licensed landscape architects on complex projects. They also direct the work of consultants and contractors by writing and administering Architectural and Engineering (A&E), personal services contracts, and general services contracts, including Price Agreements for the agency. This includes responsibility for standard scopes of work, price negotiations, schedules and delivery of final work products, quality review, and ensuring the accuracy of invoice payments.

The PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT 4 may be in positions that provide agency leadership by providing an agency-wide perspective, supporting research projects, participating in statewide, regional or national level seminars and technical committees. They develop and maintain agency standard plans and specifications, prepare and maintain agency manuals and implementing new procedures in support of guiding continuous and long-term agency improvements. They provide expertise on difficult or sensitive matters and prepare and coordinate agency or joint proposals for cooperative funding, in-kind service, and joint ventures aimed at meeting large scale agency needs in topical or geographic area of responsibility. They provide expert technical, program and policy advice to supervisors, managers, private industry, professional peers and local, state and federal agencies on issues within the areas of expertise under the purview of landscape architecture.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Associate in Landscape Architecture 1

Knowledge of principles and concepts of urban design, architecture, and engineering.

Knowledge of visual perspective and aesthetic concepts.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of landscape architecture.

Knowledge of ornamental and native plant materials, horticultural practices and soil types.

Knowledge of grading and drainage principles.

Knowledge of college level biology, chemistry, earth sciences, construction materials and technology as well as aesthetics design and how they relate to integrating environmental and aesthetic concerns with engineering and safety requirements.

Knowledge of social and behavioral science.

Knowledge of field and laboratory sampling and testing techniques for soil, water and biological matter investigations that may include soil, water, and bio chemistry.

Knowledge of botany as it relates to classifying plants and the skill in applying that understanding to interpreting the species, plant communities and how they relate to a surrounding ecosystem.

Knowledge of methods and practices used for landscape designs.

Knowledge of the various laws, rules and regulatory requirements for visual and aesthetic investigations.

Knowledge of the design of irrigation systems, components, and features.

Knowledge of integrated vegetation management.

Knowledge of the methods and practices related to temporary erosion control.

Skill in applying the above knowledge to real world problems and help find reasonable solutions.

Skill in establishing and maintaining satisfactory working relationships with employees, department personnel, private contractors, local, state and federal agency officials and the public.

Skill in using word processing, data retrieval, Computer Aided Drafting, spreadsheets, graphics and analytical software.

Skill in preparing construction plans, specifications and cost estimates.

Skill in written communications including technical report writing.

Skill in communicating orally with a variety of people in a group setting, including presentations.

Skill in following verbal and written instructions.

Skill in collecting, organizing, interpreting and summarizing technical information from various resource documents such as published maps and other past studies.

Skill in organizing, presenting and writing reports and papers on findings and making recommendations based on results.

Skill in reading general maps, topographic maps, plans, cross sections and profiles.

Skill in preparing basic grading plans, cross sections and other related maps.

Skill in computing areas for trees, shrubs, and ground cover which involves allowing for the growth of plants and trees, accounting for slope factors and figuring the plant/tree survival rate.

Skill in preparing detailed plant lists and landscape, planting and grading plans.

Skill in appropriate use of plants and planting materials and composition.

Skill in applying soil preparation techniques.

Associate in Landscape Architecture 2

Knowledge and Skills in addition to those listed in level 1:

Knowledge of regulatory requirements, design standards and practices in the agency.

Knowledge of planning, project scoping, design, maintenance and operations.

Knowledge of the integration of a transportation network into the adjacent landscape.

Knowledge of the enhancement of the aesthetic quality of the public works projects.

Knowledge of project documentation, demonstrating impact avoidance and strategies for mitigation.

Knowledge of project scale aesthetic and visual considerations.

Knowledge of design of irrigation systems, components and features.

Knowledge of the circulation of pedestrians, bicycles, equestrians and vehicles.

Knowledge of visual resource assessments and impact statements.

Knowledge of context sensitive design concepts in the urban and rural environment.

Knowledge of appropriate methods and practices for landscape designs on projects.

Knowledge of botany as it relates to classifying plants, plant communities and how they relate to the surrounding ecosystem.

Knowledge of integrated vegetation management.

Skill in visual perspective and aesthetic concepts.

Skill in the principles and practices of landscape architecture, including ornamental and native plant materials, accepted horticultural practices and soil types.

Skill in field and laboratory sampling and testing techniques for soil, water and biological matter investigations that may include soil, water and bio chemistry.

Skill in the application of the various laws, rules and regulatory requirements for visual and aesthetic investigations.

Skill in the creation of draft professional work products for professional review, such as construction plans, specifications and estimates for public works contracts.

Skill in applying the methods and practices related to temporary erosion control, including correct placement and inspection.

Skill in reading and understanding construction plans and specifications.

Skill in aesthetic design methods and how they relate to integrating environmental and aesthetic concerns with engineering and safety requirements.

Skill in classifying plants and applying that understanding to interpreting the species, plant communities and how they relate to a surrounding ecosystem.

Skill in the layout of irrigation systems, components and features.

Professional Landscape Architect 3

Knowledge and Skills in addition to those listed in levels 1 and 2:

Knowledge of emerging science and technologies that may be considered or found useful on certain kinds of projects.

Knowledge of the kinds of soils and native plant communities that exist in the geographic areas of practice.

Knowledge of consultant and landscape contractor contracts.

Knowledge of project or program management.

Knowledge of associated professional disciplines such as engineering, geology, planning and environmental regulation.

Skill in evaluating complex situations, applying rules, guidelines and standard of practice; determining appropriate courses of action and carrying out appropriate courses of action to achieve desired results.

Skill in coordinating work activities with existing programs.

Skill in administering consultant and landscape contractor contracts.

Skill in planning, project scoping, design, maintenance and operations.

Skill in mentoring, coaching and training lower level employees.

Skill in project management including oversight of staff progress and budgets.

Skill in evaluating the visual perspective of a highway or transportation corridor over time.

Skill in the integration of a transportation network into the landscape.

Skill in the enhancement of the aesthetic quality of the transportation network.

Skill in the application of landscape architecture design to final professional work products, such as construction plans, specifications and estimates for public works contracts.

Skill in preparing project documentation, demonstrating impact avoidance and strategies for mitigation.

Skill in applying project scale aesthetic and visual considerations.

Skill in applying urban or rural design principles to projects related to public land use.

Skill in evaluating, proposing, and documenting solutions for major facilities.

Skill in independently conducting site analysis of the project properties to determine and document landscape and natural resource conditions.

Skill in design of irrigation systems, components, and features.

Skill in evaluating the circulation of pedestrians, bicycles, equestrians and vehicles.

Skill in preparing visual resource assessments and impact statements.

Skill in applying context sensitive design concepts in the urban and rural environment.

Skill in determining appropriate methods and practices for landscape and erosion and sediment control designs on projects.

Skill in botany as it relates to classifying plants, plant communities and how they relate to the surrounding ecosystem.

Skill in integrated vegetation management

Skill in interpreting and applying various laws, rules and regulatory requirements for visual and aesthetic investigations.

Skill in planning and organizing equipment, materials, and staff to accomplish work.

Skill in making oral presentations at project team meetings, public hearings and conferences.

Skill in the use of word processing, data retrieval, Computer Aided Drafting, spreadsheets, graphics and analytical software.

Skill in communicating orally and in writing to effectively represent the agency as an agency witness in litigation.

Professional Landscape Architect 4

Knowledge and Skills in addition to those listed in levels 1 - 3:

Knowledge of the goals, programs, and staff of local, state, and federal agencies, academia, and consultants with which research projects, regulatory policies and joint planning ventures are coordinated or developed.

Skill in evaluating complex situations when standards do not exist and carrying out appropriate courses of action to achieve desired results.

Skill in mentoring, coaching and training lower level professional employees.

Skill in preparing administrative reports, proposals and summaries.

Skill in preparing agency statewide landscape and erosion and sediment control standard plans and specifications.

Skill in preparing and maintaining agency landscape, erosion and sediment control and other related manuals.

Skill in preparing and providing landscape, erosion and sediment control and other related trainings.

Skill in project or program management including oversight of staff or consultant progress and budgets.

Skill in organizing state, regional, or national seminars and coordinating and negotiating participation by technical experts from diverse locations and specialties.

Skill in professional oversight of teams performing large complex evaluations, documenting, and analyzing results, and preparations of final stamped reports, contract plans, specifications and estimates for large and complex projects.

Skill in interpreting and explaining the laws, rules and regulations governing projects and agency programs. This includes the ability to negotiate with regulatory agencies regarding policies that are unclear, or that fail to meet the desired outcomes

Skill in providing legislative assistance to the agency as it pertains to the fields of landscape architecture, erosion and sediment control, and other related fields.

Skill in evaluating the modification or creation of rules, guidelines and standards of practice.

NOTE: The KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS (KS) are required for initial consideration. Some duties performed by positions in this class may require different KS. No attempt is made to describe every KS required for all positions in these classes. Additional KS requirements will be explained on the recruiting announcement.

Revised: 08/2017

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