Landscape Architect, Caltrans Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established August 1, 1993

Scope

This series describes the professional Landscape Architect classes in the Department of Transportation.

Definition of Series

Classes in the Landscape Architect, Caltrans, series perform work concerned with the planning, design and development of landscape architectural elements and projects in connection with State transportation facilities.

Landscape architecture is a profession of environmental planning and design concerned with the location and arrangement of natural and man-made elements and features on the earth's surface with the objective of providing a pleasing, harmonious, and aesthetic environment for use and enjoyment by people. This requires professional services such as consultation, investigation, reconnaissance, research, land use planning, visual impact assessments and design necessary to prepare the master plans and detailed plans in order to control land uses and to preserve and enhance the natural and historic resources. It also requires managerial and administrative activities for the planning, budgeting, and program control necessary to meet the objective.

Definition of Levels

Landscape Associate, Caltrans

This is the entry through fully qualified professional level of landscape architectural work in the Department of Transportation. As incumbents progress in experience they will be assigned more difficult work.

At the entry through first working level, under the direction of a registered Landscape Architect, incumbents assist in and perform work of average difficulty in the planning, design and programming for landscape architectural and land use planning projects in connection with transportation facilities; and do other related work.

At the fully qualified professional level, under direction, incumbents develop master plans, design and prepare contract documents for major landscape architectural and land used planning projects; develop visual impact assessment for transportation projects; plan major landscape architectural projects; advise in the construction and maintenance of such projects; may lead other landscape architectural and technical personnel; and do other related work.

Senior Landscape Architect, Caltrans

Under direction, to have charge of landscape architectural work involving the supervision of journey level landscape architects and others engaged in the development and preparation of master plans, the design and preparation of contract documents for major landscape architectural and land use planning projects, and the development of visual impact assessment of various facilities; act upon difficult day-to-day technical design decisions; formulate and implement plans and procedures for comprehensive landscape architecture and land use planning projects; meet and coordinate landscape architectural projects with community, agency and departmental leaders; and do other related work.

Supervising Landscape Architect, Caltrans

This is the program manager level. Under general direction, to be responsible for planning and executing major development programs in connection with State transportation facilities; direct the work of landscape architects and others in executing landscape architectural and land use programs and projects; and do other related work.

Principal Landscape Architect, Caltrans

Under general direction, the incumbent is responsible for the overall landscape architectural and transportation enhancement programs within Caltrans; and does other related work.

Minimum Qualifications

Landscape Associate, Caltrans

Education: Equivalent to graduation from a curriculum in Landscape Architecture from a college or university accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects. (Registration as a senior in such a curriculum will admit an applicant to the examination, but applicant must produce evidence of having fulfilled the requirements for graduation before being considered eligible for appointment.) (Possession of a certificate of registration as a Landscape Architect as issued by the California Board of Landscape Architects may be substituted for the required education.)

Senior Landscape Architect, Caltrans

Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Landscape Architect issued by the California Board of Landscape Architects. and Either I Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Associate Landscape Architect (Specialist), Associate Landscape Architect (Supervisor), or Landscape Associate, Caltrans, Range D.

Or II

Experience: Five years of experience in landscape architectural design or construction work, three years of which shall have been in responsible charge of the planning, design and programming of major landscape projects. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in landscape architecture. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Supervising Landscape Architect, Caltrans

Possession of the above Certificate of Registration. and Either I Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Senior Landscape Architect or Senior Landscape Architect, Caltrans.

Or II

Experience: Broad and extensive experience (more than five years) in the planning and design of landscape architectural projects, at least two years of which shall have been comparable in level of responsibility to a Senior Landscape Architect, Caltrans, in the California state service. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in landscape architecture. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Principal Landscape Architect, Caltrans

Possession of the above Certificate of Registration. and Either I Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Supervising Landscape Architect or Supervising Landscape Architect, Caltrans. or

Three years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Senior Landscape Architect or Senior Landscape Architect, Caltrans.

Or II

Experience: Broad and extensive experience (more than five years) in landscape architectural practice, at least three years of which shall be equivalent to the duties of a Senior Landscape Architect, Caltrans, in the California state service directing and coordinating the planning and design of major landscape architectural projects and programs. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in landscape architecture. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Landscape Associate, Caltrans

Knowledge of: Principles of landscape architecture, including design and civil engineering as applied to landscape architecture; land use planning, drafting procedures and practices including computer-aided design and drafting, and use of personal computers; site analysis and planning; erosion control; proper use of plant materials; principles of ecology; soil preparation, planting and irrigation techniques; landscape maintenance procedures; native and exotic plant materials best adapted to specific uses in various parts of California; landscape architectural problems encountered in transportation facility or building locations and engineering work and their solutions; basic knowledge of visual analysis and how such issues relate to the environmental impact process.

Ability to: Do professional design work including site analysis, site planning, master planning and planting design; select proper plant materials to achieve desired effects and prevent soil erosion; prepare sketches and plans for landscape architectural projects and coordinate the construction of such projects; calculate quantities; prepare land use plans, devise programs for public participation in the planning process, plan working and construction details, prepare landscape architectural plans; estimate the cost of landscaping and related ground improvements and prepare construction specifications; lay out and design surface drainage, irrigation and sprinkling systems in connection with landscape projects; use California native plant materials under a variety of conditions; serve on project development teams as an authority on visual analysis issues; create and select proper design to reduce unsafe conditions; demonstrate artistic and creative aptitude; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; prepare reports, plan and make public presentations; work effectively with others as a member of interdisciplinary planning or design teams.

Senior Landscape Architect, Caltrans

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles of program and project management; principles of budgeting and program control; various phases of engineering (relating specifically to landscape architecture), including planning processes and methods/systems planning, evaluation of alternatives and facility locations and design, construction, operation and maintenance; principles of personnel management and supervision; the Department's safety, health, affirmative action/equal opportunity and labor relations program objectives; planning, directing and evaluating the work of a professional staff including other professional disciplines that may include a staff of landscape architects; factors which influence the impact of landscape architecture facilities on the environment, the community and the economy.

Ability to: All of the above, and prepare technical directives and administrative orders; correlate engineering or architectural features to proposed landscape projects; direct a large-scale landscape program; communicate effectively as demonstrated by the ability to organize ideas and present departmental policies to community groups, Federal, State and local agencies; effectively contribute to the Department's safety, health affirmative action/equal opportunity and labor relations program objectives.

Supervising Landscape Architect, Caltrans

Knowledge of: All of the above, and methods of planning, programming, and administering all types of large-scale landscape architectural and land use planning programs.

Ability to: All of the above, and plan, prepare and implement preliminary studies of large-scale planning, capital outlay and landscaping programs on a statewide basis.

Principal Landscape Architect, Caltrans

Knowledge of: All of the above, and methods of directing and managing the total landscape architectural programs of the Department.

Ability to: All of the above, and plan, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the work of staffs of Landscape Architects and other professional disciplines; serve as consultant to special committees, and to departmental directors.

Class History