Landscape Architect/Principal Planner

Overview
Are you interested in utilizing your planning and project management skills delivering impactful and meaningful infrastructure solutions for the City of Alexandria? The City's Department of Project Implementation is looking for a Landscape Architect/Principal Planner who will be responsible for managing the design, planning and construction of a wide variety of capital projects including exciting and engaging parks and recreational facilities, pedestrian and bike trail networks, and supporting the design and implementation of Low Impact Development strategies and stormwater management facilities for stormwater management and flood mitigation.

The Landscape Architect/Planners will be a part of a multi-disciplinary team environment and will have the opportunity to provide unique and creative insight into the design and implementation of public spaces and facilities. A successful candidate will demonstrate planning, design, and construction phase project management experience for complex capital projects and will have experience managing a range of municipal infrastructure projects including, stormwater, sanitary sewer, flood mitigation, roadway, transit, bicycle and pedestrian, and parks and recreation facilities.

What you Should Bring
The ideal candidate should have and demonstrate knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal requirements. The candidate must possess a license to practice as a Landscape Architect in the Commonwealth of Virginia or another state (and have the ability to obtain reciprocity within 3 months). The candidate must demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills to include capabilities with developing and using graphic communication tools. Additionally, experience working with elected representatives, appointed officials and citizen stakeholder groups is desired.

The Opportunity

• Manage Capital Improvement projects through the Planning, Design and Construction phases.
• Be responsible for the delivery of capital projects, following project management best practices, and meeting project objectives.
• Lead and/or otherwise facilitate and support civic engagement and outreach efforts
• Develop graphic tools and renderings to support public awareness and outreach. May include hand drawings and renderings in plan and perspective drawings, photo realistic renderings, and/or other 3D renderings, as needed.
• Coordinate projects internally with multiple departments and externally with local, state, and federal agencies, private utilities, property owners, stakeholder groups and individual private residents.
• Serve as a Project Manager responsible for oversight of consultants and other associated design professionals responsible for preparing project plans, specifications, cost estimates, and other required documents or services.
• Manage construction contracts to maintain project budget and schedule and serve as the City’s representative during the construction process.
• Manage grant funded large complex capital improvement projects and fulfill all grant requirements.
• Present information regarding capital improvement projects to the community, outside agencies, senior staff, and City officials.
• Scope and estimate costs of planned projects as part of an interdepartmental team in support of project development and development of budget requests for the Capital Improvement Program.
• Execute and oversee the design, functioning as designer of record, of occasional in-house design efforts. This will typically include development of concept-level graphics for planning-level and design development efforts; however, occasionally project requirements may include the full design development and construction documents may be required to be developed and professionally sealed.
• Develop requests for proposals and invitations to bid for the procurement of professional consulting services and construction services.
• Other duties, as assigned

About the Department
The Department of Project Implementation is responsible for the implementation of capital infrastructure projects including intersection improvements, storm water and water quality improvements, sanitary sewer improvements, flood mitigation and park improvements. In addition, the department coordinates and plans complex, multi-departmental projects such as the Waterfront Small Area Plan Implementation and the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station. DPI is dedicated to continuous improvement, industry best practices, and is committed to the continued professional development of all staff members. Employees are encouraged to seek out training opportunities and certifications (such PMP and CCM) to support the mutual success of the employee and the department.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

To qualify for this position, all candidates should possess a four-year college degree, five years progressively responsible experience in urban or transportation planning and management of large-scale urban projects and completion of college level courses in urban planning, transportation, transit planning, public administration, engineering, geography or related field or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

To be considered an ideal candidate, one must possess a degree in Landscape Architecture; more than 10 years of progressive planning experience as a licensed Landscape Architect; demonstrate progressive construction project management experience; have demonstrated experience and the ability to review and analyze plans and specifications for construction and be able to prepare clear and comprehensive technical reports. Experience serving as a Project Manager directly responsible for the oversight and management of multi-discipline teams including the management of project staff, and design consultants and contractors is required. Demonstrate relevant design and project management experience on capital and community infrastructure projects. Successful candidates are expected to embody and adhere to the City of Alexandria’s core values of respect, teamwork,integrity, and continuous improvement.

Notes

It is strongly preferred and encouraged for applicants to submit a portfolio with a few examples of their work and graphic/rendering abilities.

This position requires successful completion of pre-employment criminal background check.