Are you a collaborative landscape architect passionate about improving our watersheds, stormwater quality, and providing innovative and sustainable native plant design to our stormwater capital improvement projects?

The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) seeks a Landscape Architect to support the planning, development and implementation of new and retro-fitted stormwater improvement projects that incorporate environmental, ecological and aesthetic elements.

DPWES is a diverse, nationally-accredited and award-winning public works agency with approximately 1,000 employees providing solid waste, capital facility development, wastewater, stormwater, urban forestry, and land acquisition management services for the most populous county in Virginia. Join our team to help us protect the environment and serve the people of Fairfax County by creating and preserving a sustainable community that is an ideal place to live, work, and play for everyone.

Fairfax County Government is committed to our employees, and offers comprehensive benefits, including a defined-benefit retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Through our LiveWell Program and the County Benefits Division, we endeavor to cultivate a culture of wellbeing that empowers, educates and engages employees and retirees to make life-long choices that promote a holistic approach to their physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual and financial wellness. Please review our awesome benefits:

• Benefits
• Retirement

The Stormwater Planning Division is a nationally recognized team that plans and implements a comprehensive stormwater assessment and management program to improve water quality and the health, safety, and welfare of its 1.2 million residents. The Division is committed to protecting the Chesapeake Bay, equitably reducing flood risk and improving stormwater management and the water quality of the County’s approximately 400 square miles of local watersheds through cost effective implementation of sustainable and resilient projects.

Key Responsibilities:
Provides skills and technical expertise of Landscape Architecture.

Specific duties are as follows:

• Supports project managers and partners in the design and implementation of successful green stormwater infrastructure projects.
• Supports project managers and partners in design and implementation of stream corridor and Chesapeake Bay resource protection areas (RPA) restoration.
• Prepares plans and visual aids to communicate the analysis of existing land development, proposed improvements, and/or suggested project alternatives to educate and promote the objectives of the projects.
• Partners with county agencies, local jurisdictions, development community, residents and other stakeholders to collaborate on design and implementation of stormwater improvement projects.
• Provides project management of watershed restoration and stormwater improvement projects including contract management, overseeing design engineers, and coordinating construction phase activities.
• Provides on-site inspections for all aspects of plant management and installation including soil prep, plant selection and non-native invasive plant control.
• Reviews and makes recommendations on new and innovative practices and standards.
• Communicates sensitive matters with residents and stakeholders orally, visually and in writing. Provides quality control for all assigned work.
• Duties are performed under the direction of the Watershed Projects Implementation Branch Chief.

Note: This position is considered Emergency Services Personnel which requires the incumbent to be available twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week (24/7) to respond to snow, flooding, and other designated emergencies on an as needed basis.

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an  accredited four-year college or university in landscape architecture (four or five year  course) or a related field; plus three years of progressively responsible experience in landscape architecture and/or park planning.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
A valid motor vehicle driver's license.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

The appointee to this position will be required to be available twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week (24/7) to respond to snow, flooding, and other designated emergencies on an as needed basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge and experience designing and implementing landscape features associated with green stormwater infrastructure, stream corridor restoration and related ecological restoration projects.
• Experience with plant materials specification, design, inspection, installation and monitoring, with a focus on locally native species.
• Knowledge of and experience with landscape architectural and engineering drawing and illustration practices including visualization software.
• Experience managing engineering or architectural design and construction contracts.
• Experience managing and working collaboratively in a team environment.
• Demonstrated communication skills and ability to partner with stakeholders.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Physically and mentally able to use all applicable personal protective equipment in an outdoor environment; including hardhat, eye protection, hearing protection, safety footwear and personal fall arrest harness. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.