TENTATIVE

Occ. Code 5001200

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

            Landscape Architects plan and design landscape development and site improvement projects, and oversee the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of outdoor spaces and other open areas for transportation facilities, buildings, parks, historic sites, recreational facilities, campuses, gardens, playgrounds, and roads and highways. Aesthetics, the architectural and natural environment, environmental impact of projects, and the purpose and use of facilities are significant factors in their work. They may also plan the locations of buildings, roads, walkways, flowers, shrubs, and trees within these environments. Incumbents select materials, estimate costs, prepare environmental analyses and reports, and integrate their designs with other design and construction professionals, such as architects and engineers.

These positions are classified at various State agencies with the most at the Department of Transportation.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

            LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: entry level; under the general supervision or direction of a higher level licensed and registered professional engineer, architect or landscape architect, prepares plans and projects, and oversees the development of such projects, which includes reviewing and approving the performance of contractors; incumbents may supervise lower level professional and technical staff.

            SENIOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: performs the full range of professional landscape architecture activities; supervises the landscape architecture program for a small to medium region, supervises a design group, or develops programs and policies in Main Office settings, depending on the employing agency; positions at this level will be required to use their professional license and registration seal.

            ASSOCIATE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: oversees all landscape architecture programs for an organizational unit comprised of several design groups; or oversees the landscape architecture and environmental services programs in large regions; positions at this level will be required to use their professional license and registration seal.

           PRINCIPAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: one position class; directs the landscape architecture program for the Department of Transportation; this position may be required to use their professional license and registration seal.

RELATED CLASSES

            Professional 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.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

           LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: conducts site surveys to determine topography and soil characteristics; prepares site inventories and analyses; prepares and defines project scope, and develops 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: oversees all landscape architectural activities and projects for an assigned work group or region; assigns projects and parts of projects to staff, reviewing work activities for quality and conformity to professional standards, program mandates, and project needs; allocates 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 sensitive 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 oversees the preparation of master plans for historic sites, parks, recreational, and other facilities; oversees consultant and contract work; prepares scope of work for and administers contracts, including the review of 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 several design teams or a large 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 program by allocating resources, supervising and developing staff, developing 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 at the Department of Transportation 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 agencys Main Office and regions, and ensures 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

            LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Promotion: Successful completion of Sections 1 and 2 of the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE); and one year of service as a Junior Landscape Architect.

            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.

Open Competitive: 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.

 Revised:  3/18

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.