2-24-84 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT, 7931 Summary of Duties : Performs professional landscape architectural work in the design and preparation of plans, sketches, and drawings for the development and rehabilitation of park, playground, and recreational areas, public buildings, malls, parking lots, public works facilities; and in laying out landscape plans for traffic islands, parkways, drainage and erosion control projects; reviews the work of other private and public agencies; prepares construction specifications; inspects construction sites; prepares construction change orders; selects and approves plant materials; and does related work. Distinguishing Features : Employees in the Landscape Architectural series are concerned with plans for landscape, grounds, and site development in recreation, parks, or public works facilities. The Landscape Architectural Assistant class is the entry level of the professional landscape architectural series. An employee of this class, although accorded some opportunity for independent judgment, is primarily engaged in routine professional work which requires a background of landscape architecture. Most work involves preparing and developing designs and plans from preliminary sketches or verbal instructions, including drafting, detailing, estimating, and computing. Work is normally carefully reviewed upon completion. A Landscape Architectural Associate does moderately difficult professional work and exercises originality and judgment in preparing and developing designs and plans; manages design contracts and projects under construction; writes reports and letters; assigns and reviews the work of Landscape Architectural Assistants. However, the difficulty and responsibility of the work are limited by the fact that many design features must adhere to department policies or to certain standard detail drawings. In addition, much of the work has precedent in prior designs, and all completed plans are reviewed by a Landscape Architect, an Architect, Engineer or other supervisor. A Landscape Architect does responsible professional work and exercises considerable independent judgment and discretion in supervising groups preparing landscape architectural and architectural plans for park and recreation areas, traffic islands, parkways, street improvement projects and in coordinating this work with engineering and inspection work on assigned projects. An employee of this class receives assignments in general terms, whichoutline the type of project, location, and desired general characteristics. A Landscape Architect is both administratively and technically responsible for the soundness of landscape plans prepared. However, the completed work is reviewed for adherence to objectives and policies defined in the assignment. An
employee of this class establishes work procedures, personally supervises the preparation of difficult designs, and delegates less responsible work to subordinates. Examples of Duties: Landscape Architectural Assistant : Prepares preliminary and perspective drawings of landscape, ground, and site developments to show overall solutions for assigned projects, making perspective renderings as directed; makes field investigations of new sites and existing facilities and plants to determine conditions affecting tentative plans; makes rough estimates of labor and material costs for developments; prepares final working drawings and detailed drawings, based on approved preliminary plans, survey and topographical maps, and standard drawings, for the construction and planting of various public works and recreation facilities and sites; Prepares planting plans showing the types and varieties of trees, shrubs, flowers, and ground cover to be planted in various locations; prepares detailed drawings of plantings, gradings, elevations, and other features of landscape work, largely incorporating features and details of standard plans; draws cross sections of contour maps for cut and fill determinations and street construction details; prepares plans for landscaping around and adjacent to public buildings; may write specifications for working drawings, prepare final cost estimates, and do research on new or different materials and processes; and may inspect contract landscaping work in cooperation with Construction Inspectors. Landscape Architectural Associate : Makes preliminary field studies of various public works and recreation facilities and sites; personally completes the more difficult designs such as complex grading plans and park street layouts; assigns other projects to Landscape Architectural Assistants with verbal explanations and preliminary sketches; reviews preliminary and final plans in process, giving assistance and guidance in the work; answers questions for subordinates and makes sketches to resolve difficult problems; Makes periodic field investigations during the design phase of the work to help coordinate, supervise, and check the work and to determine how certain phases can best be handled; checks completed plans for features such as clarity, freedom from errors, reasonable costs and designs; reviews and checks specifications, cost estimates, and landscape plans prepared under contract; analyzes and prepares reports on proposed landscape projects; does research on the possible use of new materials; prepares contract drafts, bid documents, contract change orders; responds to Requests for Information (RFIs); inspects projects under construction. Landscape Architect : Assigns and supervises the work of the landscape architectural, architectural, and contract administration sections in the Department of Recreation and Parks; makes investigations and recommendations on methods of improving playground and park layouts or the development of new areas and facilities;
prepares preliminary sketches of complex projects; spot-checks landscape architectural and architectural plans in process; makes thorough reviews of all final force account and contract architectural and landscape architectural plans for completeness and conformance to department policies and standards; reviews and corrects specifications and cost estimates; checks completed requests for bids, addenda to plans and specifications, and bulletins extending bidding time limits; investigates and recommends on requested change orders; Prepares progress reports; makes field inspections of work in process; reviews plans with contractors to resolve problem areas; consults with other department supervisors regarding problems in the development and execution of landscape and architectural projects; confers with private landscape architects, architects, and engineers concerning proposed landscape and architectural developments; interviews and recommends as to department use of private architects and landscape architects for contract work; represents the Department of Recreation and Parks in coordinating developmental projects carried on in cooperation with other City departments and with County and State agencies; and fulfills supervisory Affirmative Action responsibilities as set forth in the City's Affirmative Action Program. All Classes : Employees in these classes may occasionally be assigned to other duties for training purposes or to meet technological changes or emergencies. Qualifications: Knowledges : Arch. Asst. Arch. Assoc. Architect Theory, principles and practices of landscape architecture as applied to the preparation of designs, plans, specifications, and cost estimates for landscape, ground and site development; Good Good Good Standard sources of landscape architectural information; Good Good Good
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT, 7931 Page 4 Knowledges (Cont) : Arch. Asst. Arch. Assoc. Architect Characteristics and requirements of various plants suitable for use in public works and recreation sites in Southern California; Working Good Good Principles and practices of architecture, civil engineering, as they apply to the development of park and recreation areas, traffic islands, parkways, embankment slopes in connection with street improvement projects; General Working Good Safety principles and practices; Good Laws and regulations related to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action; City personnel rules, policies and procedures; General Good Memoranda of Understanding as they apply to subordinate personnel; General Abilities : Prepare designs, perspective drawings, and simple color renderings, including the use of planimeters, slide rules, and drafting instruments; X X X Evaluate and conceive proper landscape architectural treatment of public works and recreation sites through field inspections; X X X Communicate and deal tactfully and effectively with employees, officials, and the public; X X X Abilities (Cont) : Arch. Asst. Arch. Assoc. Architect
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT, 7931 Page 5 Review completed plans and specifications; inspect projects under construction; X X Prepare clear and concise correspondence reports and recommendations; X X X Prepare draft contracts, contract change orders, addendums, writer letters and reports, inspect projects under construction; X X Coordinate landscape and architectural design work with a general developmental program. X X X Graduation from a recognized four year college or university with specialization in landscape architecture is required for Landscape Architectural Assistant. However, professional landscape architectural experience under the supervision of a Licensed Landscape Architect, Architect or Registered Engineer may be substituted on a yearfor-year basis for the required education. Two years of professional landscape architectural experience at the level of Landscape Architectural Assistant is required for Landscape Architectural Associate. However, one year of graduate study in landscape architecture may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Two years of professional landscape architectural experience at the level of Landscape Architectural Associate is required for Landscape Architect. Registration : A valid Certificate of Registration as a Landscape Architect issued by the California State Board of Landscape Architects is required for Landscape Architect. License: All Classes : A valid California driver's license is required. Physical Requirements : All Classes : Strength to perform average lifting of less than 5 pounds and occasionally over 15 pounds; arm and hand dexterity necessary to use drafting instruments; and good eyesight. Persons with medical limitations may, with reasonable accommodations, be capable of performing the duties of some of the positions in these classes. Such determination must be made on an individual basis in light of the person's limitations, the requirements of the position, and the appointing authority's ability to effect reasonable accommodations to the person's limitations. As provided in Civil Service Commission Rule 2.5 and Section 4.55 of the Administrative Code, this specification is descriptive, explanatory and not restrictive. It is not intended to declare what all of the duties and responsibilities of any individual position shall be.