Landscape Design Specialist
Employment Type: Full-Time, Salary
Employment Classification: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Director of Planting
Apply By: January 3, 2025
Salary: $60,000-70,000 (placement in range is commensurate with experience)
Benefits: Eligible after a 90-day Probationary Period - PTO, Paid Holidays including your Birthday, Subsidized Medical and Dental insurance, Ancillary Insurance (Vision, Accident, Critical Illness), Professional Development opportunities like ISA Certification, 403(b) Retirement Savings with match, and Partial Work apparel
Trees Atlanta is a nonprofit community group that protects and improves Atlanta’s urban forest by planting, conserving, and educating. Since its beginnings, Trees Atlanta’s goals have been to plant new trees, conserve existing trees, replace trees lost to development and hazards, and educate the public on the many benefits of trees. Trees Atlanta has become one of the most widely-known and respected non-profits locally, as well as nationally, for their work as stewards of our urban environment. To date, Trees Atlanta has planted and cared for over 170,000 trees in metro Atlanta.
Job Description
Trees Atlanta is recruiting a highly motivated, organized, and detail-oriented Landscape Design Specialist (LDS). This is a newly created position focusing on the development of landscape design plans that enhance Metro Atlanta’s unique canopy that includes but is not limited to public rights-of-way, parks and greenspaces, campuses, and municipal properties. The LDS will be expected to manage multiple projects that meet stakeholder desires while being mindful of design requirements and standards. The individual in this role will have the opportunity to make pivotal landscape design plans that will have an environmental impact on Atlanta for future generations. The ideal candidate can illustrate their ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
The Landscape Design Specialist will:
- Identify planting locations throughout various metro Atlanta lands
- Develop landscape designs that maximize tree canopy, create Olmstedian usage cases (pastoral v. active use, vistas and enclosures, specimen trees, etc.), and enhance ecological services
- Initiate and maintain stakeholder communications (e.g. government agencies, NGOs, conservancies, arborists, landscape architects, and community liaisons) to assess site suitability and design input
- Solicit the necessary permissions/permits to execute planting plans
- Source and purchase high-quality plant material outlined in the approved planting schedule
- Coordinate and facilitate time-sensitive tree deliveries, unloading, and staging
- Oversee logistics and implementation of landscape installations through supervision of contractor(s)
- Ensure high-quality installations through the use of standards and best management practices of ANSI and ISA
- Ensure that all work is completed on schedule and within budget
- Collecting and ensuring the accuracy of planting data to be communicated to stakeholders and maintenance teams
- Manage healthcare care for all landscape installations, including but not limited to watering, mulching, pruning, staking, insecticide application, weed control
- Maintain various planting agreement contracts and coordinate invoicing with development staff
- Additional tasks as needed to fulfill program goals and Trees Atlanta’s mission (e.g cross-department design input, occasional volunteer supervision, special design projects along the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum)
Requirements
- Minimum 5 years of formal landscape design, Urban Design, or City Planning experience OR licensure as a Professional Landscape Architect (2+ yrs. of licensure)
- At least 1 year of prior experience supervising staff or contractors preferred
- Strong interpersonal communication, and problem-solving skills and ability to effectively supervise other employees
- Knowledgeable in the best practices of the planting and care of trees and other ornamental plants. Prior experience with plant and tree installation
- Demonstrate a respect and understanding of risk management for and around heavy machinery and construction sites, as well as health and safety standards for colleagues and/or contractors
- Technical proficiency with working knowledge of Excel, AutoCAD, and ArcGIS
Physical Requirements
- At least 21 years old with a valid driver’s license and a clean 3-year driving history (Proficiency in pickup truck and trailer driving preferred)
- Be willing to work outside in all weather conditions (rain, heat, etc). The majority of work for this position will be performed outside
- Must pass a pre-employment drug test and background screening
- ability to pass a DOT physical
- Ability to lift 50 pounds.
- Updated tetanus shot.
To Apply
- Please complete the employment application and preliminary questions for full consideration.
- This is a full-time, salaried position. Work hours and days may vary, including weekends, but will typically follow a Monday - Friday schedule.
Background Verification Disclaimer
- All final candidates will be required to pass both a criminal background check and drug screening; adverse results could impact hiring (Trees Atlanta is a participant in the Federal Drug-Free Workplace program).
- Final candidates applying for positions that require driving company-owned vehicles will also have to pass a Motor Vehicle Report review to determine eligibility. Eligible drivers must also pass a DOT physical.
- All new hires will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States of America. Trees Atlanta complies with regulations set by the Department of Homeland Security. Trees Atlanta is a registered E-Verify employer.
