Landscape Architect, Neighbourhood Development Office


Competition Number

2023-142

Job Code

1444


Posting Date

March 31, 2023

Closing Date


April 15, 2023
(at 6:00pm)


Job Status

Permanent Full-Time




The City of Kitchener is a vibrant and dynamic city of approximately 270,000, in the heart of southwestern Ontario. As the largest municipality in Waterloo Region, Kitchener continues to be poised for development and growth, enhancing its reputation as a leader in city-building and innovation, with nationally recognized strategies to build its neighbourhoods, its digital infrastructure and its diverse economy.


The City of Kitchener is WHERE you want to work! Learn more about the top reasons to join us:
Why work at the City of Kitchener




Position Overview:
The city\'s Neighbourhood Development and Volunteer Engagement Office is looking for a passionate and dedicated candidate to join our team. Reporting to the Manager, this position provides expert project management support to resident-led projects and other corporate placemaking initiatives, with a direct responsibility to design and oversee construction projects.


This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to join an exciting and innovative team to support the delivery of the city\xe2\x80\x99s national award-winning Love My Hood neighbourhood strategy. We are looking for a design professional (with use and custody of professional seal) to represent the office as principal designer and project lead on a range of construction projects. This position also works closely with other staff divisions to lead capital placemaking projects as part of larger strategies and initiatives where possible.
You will:

• Represent the office as principal designer and project lead on a range of construction projects.

• Use your professional seal to sign off on final acceptance of capital projects, on behalf of the City.

• Delegate responsibilities related to design and construction projects to the Project Manager - Design and Construction, NDVEO who provides ongoing support to this position as needed

You Are:

• Excited to help bring resident-led ideas and other neighbourhood placemaking initiatives to life utilizing your skills and expertise in design and construction
• A landscape architect who can lead multiple projects with a range of scope, scale and budget
• A collaborative team player able to work independently and across divisions and departments
• Experienced in providing leadership on the design and construction of corporate and resident-led capital projects and other placemaking initiatives

You might be interested in this role if:

• You have a passion for neighbourhood engagement and supporting resident-led ideas that may be unique and challenge the boundaries of what has been done before
• You are committed to best management practices, standards, and data-driven decision-making which advance the design and construction of placemaking projects
• You are committed to high standards of public space design and understand municipal planning process and legislation as they apply to parks, open spaces and roads.
• You thrive in a fast-paced and constantly changing environment

Responsibilities:

• As design professional (with use and custody of professional seal), represents the office as principal designer and project lead on a range of construction projects, with budgets between $50,000 - $250,000+ in scope.
• Acts occasionally as general contractor for construction projects involving multiple contractors with responsibility for all site health and safety and final approval of work.
• Provides detailed design and final construction approval of a variety of site structures where public safety is a factor, including grading plans, retaining walls, elevated pedestrian structures, paved walkways, ramps, stairs, boardwalks, sports structures/backstops, children\xe2\x80\x99s play environments and site lighting.
• Prepares landscape restoration strategies including soil remediation and detailed planting designs for natural areas, parks and streetscapes.
• Project manages contracts for tendered projects of own design to be constructed by general contractors, providing technical direction, quality assurance inspections, issuing payments, and ensuring adherence to contract schedules, specifications, and budgets. Signs off on final acceptance upon completion, on behalf of the City.
• Creates site plans and detailed designs as well as tender-ready construction drawings and specifications for a broad range of capital infrastructure projects within parks, roadways and other lands.
• Directs the work of consultants and contractors hired for placemaking projects by setting project scope, monitoring performance and assuring project delivery on budget and within set timeframes.
• Responds to public, Council members, legal, real estate, neighbourhood groups and other city staff and gives professional advice, guidance, technical input and direction relating to a wide range of technical design concerns.
• Communicates, negotiates, and coordinates projects with partners, agencies, and City staff in other divisions (e.g., Planning, Engineering, GRCA, School Boards).
• Oversees, prepares materials, and coordinates consultation processes for public meetings, and consultation with user groups, organizations, and regulatory agencies.
• Writes and co-signs Council reports, including justification, conclusions, and recommendations and prepares estimated cost of proposed works.
• Prepares preliminary site planning and detailed design in order to guide and review the work of consulting design professionals (e.g., engineers, architects).
• Ensures that projects are designed and constructed in accordance with design guidelines and environmental standards, including interpreting and negotiating legislated provincial and federal permits.
• Provides expert project management support and ensures projects are implemented using industry standard project management principles and procedures.
• Prepares print and digital materials using graphic design software for public presentations, concept drawings, and other activities.
• Prepares and generates standard construction contract administration documentation and related correspondence that includes site inspection reports, deficiency reports and meeting minutes.
• Completes site inspections at various stages throughout construction to ensure approved plans are fulfilled.
• Completes cost estimates, coordinates permit and performs all required inspections
• Incorporates specific issues and opportunities into design elements and documents stakeholder feedback.
• Provides problem resolution and/or designs field fit solutions with respect to unforeseen construction issues.
• Researches, and analyses information, industry and academic research to develop best management practices, standard procedures, specifications and operational programs.
• Prepares technical design and construction drawings for use in tender processes using AutoCAD and other programs.
• Prepares, reads, and interprets construction drawings, details, specifications and contract documents
• Reviews and approves as-constructed drawings and documentation

• Performs other job-related duties as required

Requirements:

• Professional designation of Landscape Architect with custody and use of seal, supplementing a 4-year Honours degree in landscape architecture, urban planning, environmental science, or other relevant discipline.
• Full professional membership of OALA
• 2-4 years of related experience including an on-the-job period of adjustment.
• Candidates that demonstrate experience in the development and delivery of parks, open space and placemaking projects in a municipal or similar setting preferred.
• Must have demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
• Must have mathematical skills to complete project cost estimates and review designs and reports.
• Must have problem solving skills to configure solutions to unique design problems
• Must have an ability to read and review plans and reports in depth.
• Must have experience reviewing and/or approving as-constructed drawings and documentation.
• Must have an ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and contract documents
• Must have experience with Microsoft Outlook, Office and AutoCAD software
• Must have experience chairing meetings and delegating action items
• Ability to support and project values compatible with the organization and to participate as an effective team member

The City of Kitchener is committed to an equity-driven, inclusive, accessible, and barrier-free recruitment and selection process, and to ensuring our workforce reflects the full diversity of the community we serve. We welcome applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ persons, as well as other equity deserving groups.


We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please contact Human Resources at recruitment@kitchener.ca , or 519-741-2200 ext. 7261 to make your needs known, so that we can support your full and equal participation throughout the hiring process.


We appreciate the interest of all applicants. Only candidates whose skills, experience and qualifications meet the requirements of the position will be contacted.


Please note that as per Human Resources Policy HUM-HIR- 110, "Employment of Relatives of Staff Members and Elected Officials":
"The immediate relatives of staff of the Human Resources Division, all Directors, General Managers, or the Chief Administrative Officer and Elected Officials shall not be employed by the City in any capacity.
The immediate relatives of all other Management personnel shall not be employed where such employment would be:
1. within the same Department in the case of permanent full-time, temporary full -time and part-time classifications.
2. within the same Division in the case of students."



Department

Community Services

Division

Neighbourhood Programs and Services


Union Affiliation

CUPE 791

Number of Positions

1


Hours of Work

35 hours per week


Location


Initial Location

City Hall

City

Kitchener


Compensation


Salary Range

$81,062 - $101,328

Grade/Band

10 (under review)