Campus Landscape Architect (0489U), Physical and Environmental Planning Group - #82662

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

UC Berkeley is the flagship campus of the University of California system and recently developed a new Long Range Development Plan and Campus Master Plan to guide the next 15-20 years of campus planning.

The Physical and Environmental Planning group on the Berkeley campus has a unique role in influencing campus development. Often involved at the earliest stages of capital planning, it interacts with senior campus leadership, as well as individual Colleges, Schools, units, the Academic Planning Division (Space Planning), Financial and Capital Asset Strategies, University Development and Alumni Relations, and Facilities Services, to understand and translate facility, infrastructure, and space needs into capital projects that align with the strategic goals and public service mission of the university. It coordinates the campus and university capital project approval processes, including design review and environmental review. It is a liaison to the UC Office of the President on capital planning, environmental planning, construction and design, and Regental approval processes. It works with community partners and stakeholders, including students, faculty and staff, residents, and business owners, to ensure campus projects are contextual, and address concerns related to new development and growth. It establishes and maintains relationships with the City of Berkeley, and other local agencies, to align efforts affecting land use, mobility, infrastructure, and other elements of the built environment.

Position Summary

The Berkeley campus has long been recognized for its distinguished architecture and dramatic landscape setting, which reflect successive campus plans by Frederick Law Olmsted, John Galen Howard, and Thomas Church. The campus landscape comprises the natural areas, plazas, pathways, glades, and Campus Park, as well as other University properties including the Hill Campus, Richmond Field Station, and University Village/Gill Tract. The position of the Campus Landscape Architect will serve as a steward of the campus exterior landscape at all campus properties, ensuring new landscape development, infrastructure projects, and landscape-related improvements to support the University's mission and enhance the quality of life and sense of place on campus. Reporting to the Campus Architect, the Campus Landscape Architect will provide leadership and guidance for the overall design and management of open space and developed landscapes on university properties including the Campus Park, Hill Campus, Clark Kerr Campus, residential housing sites, and research properties. The position will manage landscape projects of all scales and sizes.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: December 5, 2025

Responsibilities

Project Leadership

• Working with individual project managers, ensures landscape design complies with larger campus placemaking and stewardship goals.
• Oversees plan review for projects with landscape scope, in coordination with Landscape Services.
• Works with external consultants to follow campus design standards, campus design guidelines, and the approved plant palette and guidelines in the Landscape Climate Adaptation Plan; reviews exception requests with the Campus Architect for approval.
• Coordinates with and advises campus facilities staff responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the campus landscape.
• Resolves issues/problems requiring specialized knowledge and is widely recognized and consulted by campus staff for expert knowledge in landscape architecture.
• Designs small landscape installations for installation by Campus Grounds staff.

Campus Stewardship

• Supports long-range physical and environmental planning led by the Director of Planning and senior planners
• Ensures campus landscape and open space projects support and advance applicable plans, policies, and practices identified in various campus planning documents.
• Leads and/or participates in ongoing efforts related to the care and improvement of the campus physical environment, including but not limited to: landscape and grounds planning and placemaking; infrastructure and stormwater management planning; design, construction, and operations; protection and promotion of tree and shrub diversity; coordination of outdoor art, memorial trees/benches, signage/wayfinding, and landscape furniture; and transportation planning.
• As directed by the Assistant Vice Chancellor/Campus Architect, prepares, updates, and executes landscape focused planning efforts and contributes to the development of project-specific design guidelines.
• Chairs the Campus Small Project Design Review Committee.

Technical Expert

• Serves as a technical expert and provides advice and guidance relating to landscape architecture to all levels of the organization, including planning staff, project managers, Grounds, and senior campus leadership.
• Coordinates and leads other staff in ensuring investments in the campus landscape support other strategic campus objectives, including design excellence, operational efficiency, climate adaptation, and cost effectiveness.
• Public Outreach
• As directed and in partnership with the Campus Architect, serve as a key resource related to the campus landscape heritage and landscape planning issues in public settings, including public meetings and with other local agencies.
• Manage campus landscape projects of interest to external donors, alumni, and other members of the public.

Required Qualifications

• Expert knowledge in landscape architecture and urban design.
• Commitment to design excellence and placemaking, as substantiated by portfolio of previous projects.
• Advanced or working knowledge in horticulture, particularly in California and in campus settings, or similar institutional environments.
• Expert written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including expert level political acumen and negotiation skills.
• Expert skills in building, maintaining and nurturing strong professional relationships to achieve short- and long-range organizational development goals.
• Expert analytical and project management skills.
• Experience working with and managing complex urban design and landscape projects.
• Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, City Planning or other planning or environmental related field and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $124,700.00 - $180,000.00. The full pay scale for this job classification is $124,700.00 - $240,900.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity.
• This position is eligible for up to 40% hybrid work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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