JUNIOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, GRADE 15
SENIOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, GRADE 24
ASSOCIATE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, GRADE 27
PRINCIPAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, M-3
Classification Specification
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES
Landscape Architects perform professional activities, requiring specialized training and experience, to plan and design landscape development and site improvement projects, select materials, estimate costs, prepare environmental analysis and reports, and supervise the construction and maintenance of the landscape for transportation facilities, buildings, parks, historic sites, and other facilities. Aesthetics, the architectural and natural environment, environmental impact, and the multiple functions and uses of facilities are significant factors in their work. Most positions in this series are in the Department of Transportation, the Office of General Services, and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
JUNIOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: entry level professional class; activities performed are generally regarded as developmental so that incumbents can progress to Landscape Architect; work under the direct supervision and control of higher level Landscape Architects or other professional staff, who closely review all assignments and completed work.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: appointees must complete one year of service as a Junior Landscape Architect and pass Section 2 of the Landscape Architecture Registration Examination; prepare plans and projects and supervise construction and maintenance projects and programs, including reviewing and approving contractor performance; may supervise lower level professional and technical staff.
SENIOR LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECT: appointees at or above this level in the series must be
registered by New York State as a Landscape Architect; perform the full range
of professional landscape architecture activities; in the Office of Parks,
Recreation and Historic Preservation, one position per region to supervise the
landscape architecture program for the region; in the Office of
General Services and the Department of Transportation, supervise a design group
and, in Transportation, may supervise the landscape activities for a region or
develop and implement programs and policies in the Main Office.
ASSOCIATE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: supervise all landscape architecture programs for a section composed of several design groups; supervise the landscape architecture and environmental services programs in a Transportation region.
PRINCIPAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: one position class; supervises the landscape architecture program for the Department of Transportation; highest level licensed and registered Landscape Architect.
RELATED CLASSES
Civil Engineers apply knowledge of engineering theories and principles to plan, design, construct, inspect, and maintain transportation facilities, including roads, bridges, airports, waterways, traffic control systems, and related structures and equipment.
Architects perform professional architectural work to plan and design the creation, construction, rehabilitation, and restoration of buildings and schedule and coordinate the services of engineers, specification writers, estimators, and others providing specialized services for architectural projects.
Park Engineers design, construct, rehabilitate, maintain, and inspect recreational facilities, such as swimming pools, tennis courts, playgrounds, boat launches, beaches, pavilions, marinas, buildings, roads, bridges, and water and sewage systems. This series is classified only in the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES
JUNIOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: performs the same activities as Landscape Architect, but under close supervision of higher level specialists, while learning the practical application of landscape architectural theory.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: conducts site surveys to determine topography and soil characteristics, prepare site inventories and analyses, prepare and define project scope, and develop recommendations and plans for landscape development projects and programs; manages projects by developing site plans, preparing maps, plans, estimates, project specifications, and contracts, recommending, selecting, approving, and inspecting plant materials and landscape treatments, inspecting and supervising landscape installation, and reviewing and recommending approval of work done by contractors and consultants; develops, implements, evaluates, and modifies landscape maintenance plans; coordinates landscape work with engineering, architectural, maintenance, and operations staff; assures that work is scheduled to minimize disruption to traffic and facility operations; advises professional and maintenance staff about equipment, materials, work methods, and maintenance needs and schedules for landscape and environmental programs; evaluates projects proposed by local governments, developers, and organizations for their impact on adjacent State properties and the need for environmental analysis and approval; assists in property acquisition by inspecting, evaluating, and preparing reports about properties being considered for public acquisition; maintains inventories of land resources, including boundaries, deed restrictions, and environmental, historic, and visual attributes; provides technical assistance and advice to engineering and management staff about erosion control, vegetation management, plant selection, topography, grading, drainage, accessibility requirements, and roadway and site selection and improvements; consults with and gives presentations to other State and local agencies, organizations, businesses, and volunteers about landscape architectural projects and programs; prepares storm water management plans, erosion and sediment control plans, and wetland delineations; prepares permit applications, secures permits, and monitors permit compliance; and supervises professional, technical, and maintenance staff assigned to landscaping projects and programs.
SENIOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: supervises all landscape architectural activities and projects for an assigned work group or region, including assigning projects and parts of projects to staff, reviewing work activities for quality and conformity to professional standards, program mandates, and project needs, allocating resources to accomplish work plans and projects, providing technical advice and assistance, preparing annual work plans, and evaluating and directing staff activities; reviews, approves, and signs landscape architectural plans, estimates, specifications, contracts, completed work, contract changes and payments, and contractor work activities, assuring that work is completed in accordance with plans and contracts; coordinates work activities with engineering, construction, maintenance, facility operations staff and management, and contractor staff to assure that work is completed in accordance with other program and project deadlines, requirements, and operations and that disruptions to traffic and facility usage are minimized; manages the largest and most complex projects from design through completion of construction and coordinates the work of other professional and technical staff assigned to a project; prepares and approves preparation of procedures, guidelines, and standardized specifications and contract documents; implements new programs according to laws, regulations, and policies; consults with federal, State, and local officials and organizations about projects and programs to obtain input, resolve problems, discuss and coordinate related developments, and explain projects and programs; manages the land acquisition and environmental programs for an assigned region; develops, implements, and supervises the preparation of master plans for historic sites, parks, recreational, and other facilities; supervises consultant and contract work; prepares scope of work for and administers contracts, including reviewing the technical components, assuring that work is performed within budget and on schedule, reviewing and recommending payments, and assuring that documents and reports comply with code and conform with standards; and schedules and completes topographical surveys and soil investigations.
ASSOCIATE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: develops and implements work plans for the section or region and assigns staff to work groups and projects; coordinates landscape architectural and environmental projects and programs with engineering, architectural, and maintenance staff and contractors; reviews the preparation of landscape development plans, contracts, documents, permits, and reports to assure work is done in compliance with accepted professional standards, laws, regulations, program mandates, and department standards and procedures; provides technical assistance and advice to agency staff, representatives of other governments, and the public about landscape architectural and environmental projects and programs; develops and implements quality control programs and procedures; manages the section or program by allocating resources, supervising and developing staff, developing, implementing, and monitoring operations, work programs, and agency goals, preparing budget requests and other funding and project requests, and preparing and implementing policies, standards, and procedures for the program; represents the department or regional program by making presentations and meeting with other agencies, contractors, consultants, regulatory agencies, and community groups to discuss and resolve issues and problems; approves plans, reports, and other documents for unique or sensitive landscape projects; and prepares policies, procedures, and standards and provides guidance about the landscape and environmental programs.
PRINCIPAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: manages the Landscape Architecture Bureau by preparing and managing the budget, managing the utilization of resources to assure completion of work programs and priorities, establishing work objectives, programs, and priorities, and managing personnel, including staff development, recruitment, and supervision; evaluates, implements, and revises policies, standards and specifications, procedures, and guidelines for the landscape architectural program in the Department of Transportations Main Office and regions and assures Main Office and regional compliance with them; develops and implements quality assurance procedures and programs for the bureau; implements new programs, such as scenic byways, rest areas, and transportation enhancements, by establishing policies, identifying funding strategies, preparing budgets, preparing grant applications, allocating resources, establishing performance standards, and coordinating activities with federal, State, and local officials and the public; and serves as the agencys technical expert for landscape architecture by providing technical assistance and advice to agency staff, representing the agency with other government agencies, the public, and professional organizations, and managing special projects and assignments.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
JUNIOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Open Competitive: Bachelors or Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture or New York State Registration and License as a Professional Landscape Architect.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Promotion: one year of permanent service as a Junior Landscape Architect and passage of Section 2 of the Landscape Architect Registration Examination.
SENIOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Promotion: one year of permanent service as a Landscape Architect and New York State Registration and License as a Professional Landscape Architect.
ASSOCIATE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Promotion: one year of permanent service as a Senior Landscape Architect and New York State Registration and License as a Professional Landscape Architect.
PRINCIPAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Promotion: one year of permanent service as an Associate Landscape Architect and New York State Registration and License as a Professional Landscape Architect.
Date: 11/97