Environmental Design Specialist

The University of California, Santa Cruz seeks an Environmental Design Specialist to enhance campus planning and design. This role involves overseeing landscape projects, collaborating with various stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with campus standards. Key responsibilities include site development, design implementation, and project coordination. Candidates should have a degree in landscape architecture or related fields and strong communication skills to manage contractors and maintain project budgets.
Job Summary

The Landscape Architect is a pivotal role in the stewardship and enhancement of UC Santa Cruz's physical environment. This position oversees campus planning, design, and resource management, supporting both small and large capital improvement projects. The incumbent collaborates with stakeholders such as the Arboretum, Center for Agroecology, and Grounds Services to deliver innovative site access plans, graphic renderings, and design solutions aligned with campus goals.

This role requires strong communication skills, including high-level political acumen, to manage contractors and maintain compliance with agreed-upon scopes of work and budgets. Additionally, the Landscape Architect must be able to blend visionary design with strategic planning to ensure a cohesive campus identity that fosters engagement, sustainability, and collaboration within the UC Santa Cruz community.

Duties and Responsibilities

40% - Landscape Planning, Design, and Construction: Reviews and coordinates all aspects of site development and design for the Santa Cruz campus, including comprehensive plan review for all projects with site and landscape implications. Prepares conceptual site plans, landscape design plans, and specifications for construction and maintenance projects. Collaborates with consultants, staff, and stakeholders. Performs construction site inspections related to site work and landscape installation. Facilitates site, paving, and landscape projects initiated by various campus groups including PPDO Design and Construction Services, Physical Plant, Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS), Student Housing, Center for Agroecology, Arboretum, etc.

25% - Site and Landscape Design Specialist: Administers the design implementation, maintenance, installation, and inspection of internal construction projects, including repairs and preventative maintenance to campus paths, bicycle lanes/paths, sidewalks, bike parking areas, irrigation systems, and forestry and landscape improvements. Develops, oversees, prioritizes, and tracks work on minor pavement installation and maintenance projects for paths, sidewalks, and bike parking areas throughout campus.

25% - Plan Review and Project Coordination: Assists with plan review for all phases of construction documents related to projects with site and landscape implications to ensure compliance with campus standards, consistency with established campus planning and design goals, and minimal impact on operational programs. Reviews project submittals related to site and landscape work, reviews site mockups, participates in plant layouts, and prepares site punch lists. Assists the Campus Architect with annual updates and revisions to campus design standards related to site and landscape work (UC Santa Cruz Campus Design Guide).

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related area or equivalent experience/training. Major coursework in landscape architecture and/or related field (engineering, architecture, urban planning, and/or design). Demonstrated proficiency in the preparation of working drawings, specifications, detail development for improvements related to pedestrian and bike circulation, courtyards, sidewalks, and public spaces, grading and drainage, irrigation and planting design, wayfinding graphics and standards, public furniture, and monument signage. 3-5 years of planning, site development, and design experience. Site design experience, specifically with public or other institutional projects. Excellent computer skills and knowledge of various computer software programs including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Outlook, Asana, and construction project management software. Proficiency with AutoCAD, Sketchup (or other 3D modeling programs), and Adobe Suite of applications. Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including high-level political acumen.