Senior Project Landscape Architect/Project Manager

The Senior Project Landscape Architect is responsible for the strategic and schematic planning and design of City parks, urban spaces and public art projects and assists the Department Manager with staff mentoring and performance evaluations. The position will oversee the selection of consultants, manage resources, overseeing project communications, strategic planning, preliminary design, detailed design, scheduling and budgeting, and monitor projects through tender preparation, as well as guide City beautification, and monumentation. Projects may include strategic plans, concept plans and design for new construction, renewal, alteration, rehabilitation or improvements to parks and urban realm, monumentation, beautification and public art. This position will take professional responsibility for projects and seal drawings, as required.

Manage staff and consultants to conduct the design and construction of City parks, public urban space & public art projects.

• Establish design criteria, scope of work, constraints, requirements, risks, benefits and opportunities.
• Coordinate internal and outside agency input; as well as appoint, engage, manage, oversee and evaluate City staff, consultants and contractors
• Provide technical expertise during pre-design, design, tendering and construction of projects.
• Procure, recommend and award contracts to consultants and contractors in consultation with the Purchasing Dept.

Manage resources to adequately complete the design and construction of City Parks, Urban Design & Public Art projects.

• Prepare, oversee, update and refine cost estimates, including determination of funding sources and budgets.
• Approve all project expenditures for consulting, suppliers, contractors.
• Prepare reports and participate in presentations to Council when required.
• Assume ownership and responsibility of schedule and budgets of park projects.

Ensure that the needs of the community are addressed by the parks and public spaces community and corporate objectives.

• Work with the Communications Department to develop and undertake strategies to provide the public and stakeholders with ongoing communication of project impacts and schedules.
• Gauge public/customer satisfaction with directions taken by providing opportunities for feedback.

Review, Improve and Implement Design Standards

• Work with City staff and consultants to review, improve and implement design standards.
• Assist in the development of a set of consistent project management tools to track and monitor schedule progress, track and monitor budget adherence, identify risk elements, assess quality and administer contracts.
• Ensure alternatives are explored and bylaws, policies and legal requirements are adhered to.

Manage budget:

• Operating budget: $700,000 / year – Responsibility: Shared
• Capital budget: $20,000,000/ year – Responsibility (List one): Shared
• Who has final spending authority: Parks Planning & Design Manager

Manage human resources:

• Two of Direct Reports, Two of departmental reports
• Develop, inspire, hire, assess, discipline and reward employees
• Mentor staff to improve their knowledge and experience

Degree in Landscape Architecture, or alternate equivalent degree (e.g. Architecture or Civil Engineering). Professional Registered Landscape Architect or alternate equivalent professional designation (e.g. Engineer / Architect registered or eligible for immediate registration in BC with comparable landscape architecture experience. A minimum of 5 years of landscape architecture experience, including strategic planning and budgeting, design development, project management, tendering, construction, and contract administration in the municipal environment. Management of technical staff, consultants, and contractors. Preparation of requests for proposals, technical reports, and recommendations. Knowledge of applicable design standards, codes, and legislation, including but not limited to CLS and MMCD. MMCD Certified CA and/or PMP designation is desirable.

Accountability, service excellence, solutions oriented, communication excellence, relationship building and people management, leadership, and strategic thinking.

Walking, hiking, driving, sitting in office and a computer and in meetings, online and in-person

Parks Planning, Management, Landscape Architecture, Project Management and passion for innovation are all important skills. Submitting a portfolio of your work can be an asset. To do so, submit as a PDF document in ‘Other Documents’.

8 am to 4 pm