Salary range is $65k to $145k, with a midpoint of $105k.  New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

Under general direction by the Director of Architecture and Art and in coordination with Environmental, Operations and other staff, the Senior Landscape Architect serves as the agency’s single point of contact for all tree and vegetation planting related issues in design standards and capital project work. This position helps establish and provide a consistent approach for tree and vegetation protection, impacts, mitigation, planting designs, and maintenance across all Agency projects for all modes of transportation. Provides guidance and coordination agency-wide for landscape architecture work including capital and operational projects especially for trees, plantings and soils. Assists with developing standards and consultant scopes of work in coordination with related design disciplines and agency stakeholders. Monitors the landscape construction for conformance to contract requirements; meets directly with the contractor to discuss issues, resolve problems, and drive issues forward with the construction management team; assists in the preparation of answers to requests for information from the contractor; contributes to the review of contractor provided submittals; manages consultant design support during construction; and conducts work independently for resolving issues in the field and for change requests.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• During Environmental Project Phases:

• Writes, negotiates and manages scope for consulting Landscape Architects.

• Reviews and advises on vegetation impact assessments during environmental review.

• Advises on tree and planting mitigation strategies and designs for areas including environmentally sensitive areas.

• For Landscape Design Standards:

• Manages standard documentation content for landscape design criteria, planting and related specifications, and standard landscape details.

• Reviews and advises on project requests for deviations from standard landscape design documents.

• During Preliminary Engineering Phases:

• Writes, negotiates and manages scope for consulting Landscape Architects including tree surveys and preliminary engineering tree and planting design.

• Leads task order for tree inventory.

• Negotiates and coordinates with jurisdictions for tree replacement strategies.

• Advises on Low Impact Development strategies and hardscape design.

• Reviews consultant work and preliminary designs for vegetation impacts, protection, and landscaping.

• During Final Design Phases:

• Writes, negotiates and manages scope for consulting Landscape Architects including tree and planting design, detailing, temporary protection and final mitigation requirements.

• Reviews consultant work and final designs for vegetation impacts, protection, and landscaping.

• During Construction Phases:

• Reviews planting submittals and requests for deviations for tree and planting standards.

• Performs on-site observations of construction activities related to vegetation protection and plantings.

• Engages Sound Transit (ST) Operations in monitoring plans for landscaping adjacent to facilities regarding safety.

• Assists Operations & Maintenance through collaboration with Operations Landscape Program Manager to provide guidance on maintenance, restoration, and/or enhancement of existing ST managed landscaped areas.

• Presents materials to ST staff, permitting agencies, community members, design review boards, management, and stakeholders as required for the projects assigned. Participates in public meetings as needed.

• Provides support to the department/division and others on matters as directed and perform other related duties as required.

• Champions and models Sound Transit’s core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.

• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.

• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.

• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.

• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, arboriculture, horticulture, forestry, or closely related field and four years of landscape or arborist related experience preferably with two years of experience with public projects; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid state driver’s license.

• Valid registration as a Landscape Architect issued by the State of Washington.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Landscape Architecture design principles and practices.

• Building and zoning codes and regulations.

• Principles and practices of contract negotiation, administration and understanding of contractual relationships for consultants and contractors.

• Principles and practices of the building and construction industry.

• Understanding contract documents including production, strategies, purpose and layout sections, and Technical Specifications.

• Understanding landscape construction materials and methods, including use of materials, equipment, means and methods of construction, and risks in construction associated with materials and methods.

• Principles of financial management (expenditure tracking, variance identification, revenue tracking), principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.

• Participate in negotiation and determination of various third party requirements, such as codes, standards, and guidelines.

• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including the American with Disabilities Act.

• Project management techniques and principles.

• Principles of business letter writing and report preparation.

• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.

• Working independently or as a team on complex problems or projects where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of variables and decision making or recommendations to upper management.

• Managing and/or overseeing a complex projects or multiple smaller projects concurrently.

• Negotiating and identifying solutions that balance the Agency’s interests and those of the negotiating partner(s), within financial capacity and other constraints.

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.

• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.

• Interpreting and applying applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.

• Working effectively under pressure, meeting deadlines, and adjusting to changing priorities.

• Conducting research and analysis and providing appropriate recommendations based on findings.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a standard office environment.  Occasional site visits are required.  Attendance at public meetings may be required at times.

• Subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting of objects up to 25 pounds; may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, and extreme noise when conducting site visits or when working in the field.

• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)