Landscape Architect 3

Short Description

Bowman has an opportunity for a Landscape Architect III to join our team in Parsippany, NJ.  

At Bowman, we believe in creating opportunities for aspiring people to thrive and achieve ambitious goals. That’s why a career at Bowman is more than a job. It is an opportunity to be part of a diverse and engaged community of professionals, to be treated as a respected and valued member of a motivated team and to be empowered to do exceptional work that advances the best interest of everyone involved. We recognize the importance of creating a work environment that is both rewarding to our employees and supportive of our unwavering commitment to provide unparalleled service to our clients.

Purpose

Bowman is seeking a talented Landscape Architect / Designer to join our growing Landscape Architecture practice and contribute to the design and technical development of projects across the Tri-State area. This position is intended for a well-rounded Landscape Architect / Designer who brings strong design thinking, technical knowledge, planting expertise, and the ability to collaborate throughout the design and documentation process.

The ideal candidate is someone who can look at a project holistically, think through site layouts and design solutions, and collaborate with other landscape architects to develop strong, practical designs. The candidate should be comfortable developing plans and exploring design alternatives, as well as preparing precedent studies, mood boards, material palettes, and other visual presentations to help establish and communicate design direction. The position requires the ability to move from design development into construction documents, with a working understanding of materials, construction detailing, and landscape architecture standards. The successful candidate should be able to develop assigned portions of projects with guidance from senior staff, contribute ideas beyond the initial direction, review drawings critically, identify issues, and provide thoughtful design and technical input rather than relying solely on redlines.

A working knowledge of landscape materials and products is important to this role. The candidate should be comfortable researching and evaluating materials, site furnishings, and other site elements and translating design ideas into coordinated material selections, plans, details, and construction documents. Planting design and plant knowledge are also important components of this role. The candidate should be comfortable developing planting plans and making informed decisions about plant selection, layout, and site conditions. Strong AutoCAD and Land F/X skills are required, along with the ability to use SketchUp and graphic tools such as Adobe Creative Suite.  AutoCAD and Land F/X expertise are required; SketchUp 3D modeling experience is a plus.

The Landscape Architect / Designer will work closely with Senior Landscape Architecture staff and production staff throughout the design and documentation process. The candidate will collaborate with senior staff on design concepts, project development, materials, and technical solutions, while advancing assigned portions of projects.  The candidate will also work with production staff to translate design intent into coordinated project deliverables, review work, provide design and technical feedback, and help maintain quality and consistency across project deliverables. This role is intended to complement Bowman's existing production resources by adding another experienced Landscape Architect / Designer who can serve as a collaborative design and technical resource for the team.

We recognize that candidates may bring different strengths across design, technical documentation, planting, software, and project coordination. While the ideal candidate will be well-rounded, we are looking for someone with strong fundamentals, sound design judgment, technical knowledge, and the ability to collaborate and grow within a multidisciplinary practice.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Direction

• Ability to review drawings critically, identify potential design or technical issues, and provide constructive recommendations.
• Experience coordinating with production staff, reviewing drawings, and providing clear design and technical feedback.
• Receive general instruction on key objectives for execution. Receive direction as needed, and especially complex assignments, modified techniques, and new approaches on assignments with conflicting criteria. Work is completed using advanced techniques and design principles and is reviewed by more senior staff to ensure application of sound professional judgement. Review work produced by junior staff for quality assurance.
• Utilize and assist less experienced staff in understanding technical policies and procedures during the execution of projects for clients.

At the Operational and Company Level

• Ability to collaborate effectively with other landscape architects and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Coordinate with senior staff on project objectives, design direction, and technical requirements while advancing assigned project responsibilities.
• Assist with the marketing of the firm’s capabilities to establish new clients and enhance relationships.

Do the Work

• Ability to develop assigned portions of landscape architectural projects from design through construction documentation with guidance from senior staff.
• Prepare hardscape and landscape plans for urban settings, streetscapes, parks, and recreation; including entitlement, site plan and construction documents.
• Perform plant inventories and evaluations for assigned project areas, with senior staff guidance as needed.
• Support engineering projects and provide state and local permitting assistance.
• Carry out technical and administrative assignments, tabulations, cost estimates, etc.
• Consult with clients, engineers, and architects on specifications and needs of overall projects.
• Perform assigned onsite landscape inspections during site evaluations and construction, document observations, and coordinate design requirements with contractors and equipment suppliers under senior staff guidance.
• Conduct code research, write specifications, and coordinate permitting.
• Assist in preparation and presentation of design projects to required legislative bodies or municipality commissions.
• Maintain a working knowledge of federal, state, and local codes and permitting requirements.
• Prepare and coordinate assigned portions of Schematic Design (SD), Design Development (DD), and Construction Documents (CD), and review jurisdictional submittal packages for completeness and consistency with project requirements, with guidance from senior staff.

Success Metrics and Competencies

• Strong design skills with the ability to think through site layouts, circulation, materials, and overall design character and contribute ideas and alternatives during the design process.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to review and interpret local zoning regulations in a variety of municipal jurisdictions.
• Ability to use sound judgement and skills to defend decisions and methodologies used to arrive at chosen solution or decision.
• Ability to work both independently and contribute within a highly collaborative team environment.
• Ability to thrive in an environment with iterative feedback from multiple stakeholders.
• Highly motivated and problem-solving attitude.
• Strong sense of urgency in responding to constituents.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to quality.
• Self-reliance and ability to advance assigned work independently, seek guidance appropriately, and incorporate senior staff feedback.
• Commitment to promoting the reputation of the company through quality of work.
• Aspirations to grow professionally and advance within the company.
• Effective working relationship with internal leaders and peers, as well as external clients.
• Commitment to becoming a “citizen” of the broader organization, breaking down barriers and silos.
• Commitment to working in partnership with others inside and outside the organization.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple time-sensitive tasks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from an accredited program.
• Five or more (5+) years of professional Landscape Architecture / Designer experience.
• Landscape Architect registration is preferred.
• Advanced/expert-level proficiency in AutoCAD and Land F/X is required.
• Strong working technical knowledge of landscape architecture construction documents, materials, detailing, and site elements.
• Strong planting design skills and knowledge of plant materials and horticultural principles.
• Working knowledge of landscape materials, site furnishings, and products, with the ability to research and evaluate appropriate options for a project.
• Experience developing precedent studies, mood boards, material palettes, and design presentations to communicate design intent.
• Ability to communicate design ideas visually through SketchUp, hand sketching, Adobe Creative Suite, and/or similar design and presentation tools.
• Master’s degree a plus.
• Appreciation and understanding of land development process and desire to contribute in design of housing, commercial, mixed use and industrial site plans and work directly with our multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in production of Schematic Design (SD), Design Development (DD), and Construction Documents (CD) including site details, materials and layout selection, and planting design; irrigation design a plus.
• Development of design concepts and preparation of presentation-quality graphics and illustrations.
• Preparation of detailed construction documents, including plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Photoshop, and/or InDesign.
• Experience with 3D modeling in SketchUp is a plus. Additional experience with Civil 3D, Lumion, or GIS/ArcView is a plus.
• Knowledge of water-harvesting/irrigation design principles a plus.
• Must have a solid understanding of site design; grading principles and drainage concepts; construction methods, materials, and details.
• Able to provide professional work portfolio upon request.
• Must hold a valid state driver’s license and successfully pass a motor vehicle check.

About Bowman

Salary and eligible variable compensation (if any) commensurate with experience. Range $75,000 - $100,00 per year and includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Physical Demands and Working Environment