Landscape Architect

About this Opportunity!

Landscape Architect

(Full Time, Exempt)

Application Closing Deadline: For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. April 17, 2026

Hiring Range is $79,467 to $103,000 annually based on qualifications, education and experience as it relates to the position.

Position Summary:

Under the general direction of the Assistant Director of Planning, Design, and Construction, the Landscape Architect provides advanced professional expertise and project management leadership for the planning, design, and construction of parks, trails, open space, and recreation facilities. This role plays a key part in delivering high?quality capital improvement projects, supporting departmental goals, and ensuring projects align with District policies, standards, and community values.

The position collaborates closely with Planning, Design and Construction, Parks staff, and partner agencies, and serves as a technical leader, mentor, and advisor. Work is performed in a manner consistent with the District’s mission, values, and commitment to exceptional public service.

Essential Duties:

• Assists the Assistant Director of Planning, Design and Construction in carrying out the Department’s vision, mission and goals.
• Promotes and fosters an organizational culture based on superior customer service, the guiding principles and values of the District and its mission to the community.
• Performs advanced professional and technical landscape architecture work related to park planning, site design, and construction implementation.
• Evaluates projects addressing site conditions, accessibility, codes, vegetation, drainage, opportunities, constraints, and design alternatives.
• Conducts comprehensive reviews of landscape architectural, architectural, and engineering plans, specifications, and submittals to ensure quality, completeness, and conformance with District standards, policies, and contractual requirements.
• Leads or participates in planning and design charrettes, workshops, public presentations, and meetings, including presentations before elected officials and advisory boards.
• Supports development, updates and maintains the design standards and construction specifications.
• Serves as project manager for small to complex capital improvement projects, including design coordination, document review, and site visits during construction.
• Manages consultant services, including preparation of RFQs and RFPs, scope development, contract management, deliverable review, invoices, and coordination.
• Supports referral and development review processes by evaluating and commenting on public and private land use applications.
• Prepares, analyzes, and manages written reports, project budgets, cost estimates, schedules, value analysis, and contract documentation.
• Provides technical guidance and advisement to the Planning, Design and Construction, Parks and Open Spaces and other departments related to best management practices, operations, and maintenance considerations.
• Coordinates projects with internal departments, external agencies, consultants, contractors, and stakeholders; maintain project schedules and communicate project status effectively.
• Produces and reviews plans, drawings, details, maps, graphics, and visual materials using appropriate software tools.
• Represents the District in interagency and regional planning efforts with cities, counties, utilities, school districts, HOAs, and other partners.
• Assists in the development and analysis of the District’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan and annual department workplan.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships with District employees, vendors, and citizens.
• Responds tactfully, respectfully and in a timely manner to inquiries and problems in person, through email, phone and mail by providing helpful information and explanations in-line with District policies and procedures. Thoughtfully handles confrontational or stressful interactions.
• Attends and actively participates in Department coordination including staff meetings, retreats, trainings, staff development, orientations and recruiting as needed.
• Attends and actively participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the assigned area including sustainable design practices.
• Attends work on a regular, reliable and punctual basis.
• Attends weeknight and occasional weekend meetings.

This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive duties of the position. Incumbents may be required to follow any other instructions, and to perform any other related duties, as may be required.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Planning, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in landscape architecture, park planning, or a related field.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:

• Registration as a Professional Landscape Architect in the State of Colorado at the time of application, or registration in another state with the ability to obtain Colorado registration within twelve (12) months of hire.
• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver License or the ability to obtain upon hire and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of landscape architecture, park planning, site analysis, and construction practices, terminology, park and recreational planning principles, and methods and techniques of land use and environmental and site planning.
• Ability to interpret and evaluate landscape architectural, architectural, and engineering drawings, specifications, and details.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD; experience with Bluebeam Revu, Adobe InDesign, and Photoshop preferred.
• Strong project management, organizational, and decision?making skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and graphic communication skills, including the ability to lead presentations, facilitate discussions, and build consensus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Ability to research, analyze, and synthesize complex information into clear, accurate professional document.
• Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced and high volume environment with emphasis on accuracy and timeliness.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to provide outstanding customer service, establish and maintain effective working relationships, and interact with others in a professional manner.
• Ability to attend meetings scheduled in the evenings and occasional weekends.

Material and Equipment Used :

• Regularly uses standard office equipment including a personal computer, phone, printer, and photocopier.
• Sometimes uses manual drafting equipment, instruments, materials, and plotter/scanner/printer.
• This position will be required to drive a District and/or personal motor vehicle to various off-site facilities.

Working Environment :

• Works primarily in a clean, comfortable office environment subject to interruptions and background noise.
• Works outdoors at parks, trails, and open spaces subject to variable weather, ecosystems and landscapes.

Physical Requirements :

• Sedentary work for long periods of time.
• Occasional physical work lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional carrying, walking and standing.
• Occasionally required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Frequent hand/eye coordination to operate personal computer and office equipment.
• Vision for reading, recording and interpreting information. Vision acuity to see close-up and at a distance with the ability to adjust focus allowing a broad field of vision.
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain clear and effective communication. Must understand and be understood.
• Navigate construction job sites with uneven terrain and obstacles.

This list is not all-inclusive and represents examples of the work environment and physical demands.

South Suburban Park & Recreation District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We’ve Got You Covered!

South Suburban Offers:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans
• Disability and life insurance
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA’s)

Happy Employees Are the Best Employees

• South Suburban provides an employee assistance program at no cost that includes: counseling, financial planning, legal assistance, and much more!
• Our Employee Wellness Program gives covered staff the ability to reduce their medical premium by $360 annually

Take Time Away to Do What You Enjoy

• 10 paid holidays per year
• 4 personal days per year
• Earn 11.5 paid vacation days per year
• Paid sick leave to rest, recover, and take care of yourself

We’ve Got Your Back

• Up to 9% 401(a) Employer contribution/match that vest after 3 years of service
• Trainings to grow your professional and personal skill set
• Tuition Reimbursement Program that covers up to $2,500 per year

Play Where You Work

• Employee engagement is a priority at South Suburban. Staff gatherings have included: pictures with the Stanley Cup, Chili Cook-Off, Ice Cream Social, Shuffleboard Tournament, Employee Appreciation Luncheon, just to name a few
• Monthly wellness challenge opportunities and staff recognition honors

We LOVE Our Facilities and So Will You:

• Free daily admission to recreation centers, tennis courts, ice rinks and swimming pools
• 50% off food at South Suburban restaurants
• $5 to $10 for nine holes of golf at four different courses

SSPRD offers an excellent comprehensive benefit package including but not limited to: Medical/Dental/Vision. For a more detailed overview please view the Benefits Guide for Full-Time Employees

About Us

Our mission is to foster healthy living through stewardship of the environment, parks, trails, and open space by providing recreational services and programs.

We serve residents in Bow Mar, Columbine Valley, Centennial west of I-25, Littleton, Lone Tree and Sheridan and unincorporated portions of Douglas, Jefferson and Arapahoe counties. We operate four full-service recreation centers, golf courses, outdoor pools and restaurants, two ice centers and miniature golf courses, a botanical garden event center, a BMX track, a sports dome, batting cages, an entertainment center, a hotel and a nature center. In addition, we maintain nearly 3,800 acres of developed and open space land, including 119 multi-purpose athletic fields, more than 100 parks, nearly 80 miles of trails, 60 playgrounds, 56 tennis courts, and the 880-acre South Platte Park.