Class Description and Minimum Qualifications for I2D - Landscape Architect

Class Description

Valid as of: July 1, 2015

This class series uses four levels in the Physical Science and Engineering Occupational Group and describes professional work in landscape architecture. The work entails the planning, design, construction, or modification of landscaping for state agencies. Work involves estimating and designing improvements or modifications to existing grounds and vegetation in concert with facilities engineering, architecture, and maintenance functions. Positions monitor construction or changes in landscape performed by in-house personnel or contractors. The work includes advising managers and directors on landscape projects and standards. This may include the preparation of bid specifications and the evaluation of proposals for contracts.

The work may also include landscape architecture work in support of land development or reclamation, or park-wide infrastructure planning and construction. This work may entail earthwork calculations, designing road and parking areas, environmental analysis, or land-use planning. Positions may also advise or direct grounds personnel in the maintenance of agency landscape.

As the work described by this class series constitutes the practice of Landscape Architecture, positions at the level of Landscape Architect I and higher require licensure per C.R.S. 12-45-101, et. seq.

LANDSCAPE INTERN (I2D1IX)

Concept of Class

This class describes the entry level. Work is designed to train positions for a higher level in the class series. Although tasks are similar to those of the first-working level, assignments are structured and performed with direction and assistance from others. Positions carry out established work processes and operations by learning to apply and follow procedures, techniques, rules, and regulations. Once training has been completed, the position is to be moved to the next level. Positions should not remain in this class indefinitely.

LANDSCAPE SPECIALIST (I2D2TX)

Concept of Class

This class describes the first working level. Positions in this level design, estimate, and monitor implementation of changes to landscape. The work involves ensuring conformance with agency standards and applicable codes for landscape projects. Positions work closely with engineers and facility architects to coordinate efforts within the long-range master plan. Positions may provide work direction or advice to technicians or maintenance personnel.

Factors

Allocation must be based on meeting all of the three factors as described below.

Decision Making 

The decisions regularly made are at the operational level, as described here. Within limits set by the specific process, choices involve deciding what operation is required to carry out the process. This includes determining how the operation will be completed. For example, positions decide what portions of landscape need replacing and how it will be accomplished. By nature, data needed to make decisions are numerous and variable so reasoning is needed to develop the practical course of action within the established process. Choices are within a range of specified, acceptable standards, alternatives, and technical practices. For example, positions decide the appropriate landscaping design for new construction in accordance with the agency master plan.

Complexity 

The nature of, and need for, analysis and judgment is patterned, as described here. Positions study landscape needs and design information to determine what it means and how it fits together in order to get practical solutions in the form of plans for landscape improvements. Guidelines in the form of standards and agency long-range plans exist for most situations. Judgment is needed in locating and selecting the most appropriate of these guidelines, which may change for varying circumstances as the task is repeated. This selection and interpretation of guidelines involves choosing from alternatives where all are correct but one is better than another depending on the given circumstances of the situation. For example, positions select the most appropriate landscape materials and designs for reclamation purposes.

Line/Staff Authority 

The direct field of influence the work of a position has on the organization is as an individual contributor. The individual contributor may explain work processes and train others. The individual contributor may serve as a resource or guide by advising others on how to use processes within a system or as a member of a collaborative problem-solving team.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT I (I2D3XX)

Concept of Class

This class describes the fully-operational, professional licensed landscape architect. Positions in this level establish landscape improvement or change processes for the agency as it plans, designs, and oversees construction or remodeling of landscaping. Positions approve changes or modifications to plans and advise managers on alternative solutions to landscape problems. This class is distinguished from the Landscape Specialist class in the Decision Making factor and requirement of professional licensure.

Factors

Allocation must be based on meeting all of the three factors as described below.

Decision Making 

The decisions regularly made are at the process level, as described here. Within limits set by professional standards, the agency's available technology and resources, and program objectives and regulations established by a higher management level, choices involve determining the process, including designing the set of operations. The general pattern, program, or system exists but must be individualized. For example, positions decide the process for determining, analyzing, and solving erosion problems. This individualization requires analysis of data that is complicated. Analysis is breaking the problem or case into parts, examining these parts, and reaching conclusions that result in processes. This examination requires the application of known and established theory, principles, conceptual models, professional standards, and precedents in order to determine their relationship to the problem. For example, positions analyze landscaping models to determine the best solutions for minimizing environmental impacts of land development. New processes or objectives require approval of higher management or the agency with authority and accountability for the program or system.

Complexity 

The nature of, and need for, analysis and judgment is patterned, as described here. Positions study landscape needs and design information to determine what it means and how it fits together in order to get practical solutions in the form of plans for landscape improvements. Guidelines in the form of standards and agency long-range plans exist for most situations. Judgment is needed in locating and selecting the most appropriate of these guidelines, which may change for varying circumstances as the task is repeated. This selection and interpretation of guidelines involves choosing from alternatives where all are correct but one is better than another depending on the given circumstances of the situation. For example, positions select the most appropriate landscape materials and designs for reclamation purposes.

OR

The nature of, and need for, analysis and judgment is formulative, as described here. Positions evaluate the relevance and importance of theories, concepts, and principles in order to tailor them to develop a different approach or plan to fit specific circumstances. While general policy, precedent, or non-specific practices exist, they are inadequate and are therefore relevant only through approximation and analogy. In conjunction with theories, concepts, and principles, positions use judgment and resourcefulness in tailoring the existing guidelines so they can be applied to particular circumstances and to deal with emergencies.

Line/Staff Authority 

The direct field of influence the work of a position has on the organization is as an individual contributor. The individual contributor may explain work processes and train others. The individual contributor may serve as a resource or guide by advising others on how to use processes within a system or as a member of a collaborative problem-solving team. This level may include positions performing supervisory elements that do not fully meet the criteria for the next level in this factor.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT II (I2D4XX)

Concept of Class

This class describes the work leader or staff authority level licensed landscape architect work. In addition to work described by the Landscape Architect I class, positions in this level have work leader responsibilities for others as they assign and evaluate work to ensure conformance with designs and plans. This class also describes those positions functioning as the agency authority for landscaping architecture whose expertise is relied upon by managers and peers alike. This class may differ from the Landscape Architect I class in the Complexity and Purpose of Contact factors. The Line/Staff Authority differs from the Landscape Architect I class.

Factors

Allocation must be based on meeting all of the three factors as described below.

Decision Making 

The decisions regularly made are at the process level, as described here. Within limits set by professional standards, the agency's available technology and resources, and program objectives and regulations established by a higher management level, choices involve determining the process, including designing the set of operations. The general pattern, program, or system exists but must be individualized. For example, positions decide the process for determining, analyzing, and solving erosion problems. This individualization requires analysis of data that is complicated. Analysis is breaking the problem or case into parts, examining these parts, and reaching conclusions that result in processes. This examination requires the application of known and established theory, principles, conceptual models, professional standards, and precedents in order to determine their relationship to the problem. For example, positions analyze landscaping models to determine the best solutions for minimizing environmental impacts of land development. New processes or objectives require approval of higher management or the agency with authority and accountability for the program or system.

Complexity 

The nature of, and need for, analysis and judgment is formulative, as described here. Positions evaluate the relevance and importance of theories, concepts, and principles in order to tailor them to develop a different approach or plan to fit specific circumstances. While general policy, precedent, or non-specific practices exist, they are inadequate and are therefore relevant only through approximation and analogy. In conjunction with theories, concepts, and principles, positions use judgment and resourcefulness in tailoring the existing guidelines so they can be applied to particular circumstances and to deal with emergencies.

OR

The nature of, and need for, analysis and judgment is strategic, as described here. Strategic where positions develop guidelines to implement a program that maintains the agency's mission. Guidelines do not exist for most situations. In directive situations, positions use judgment and resourcefulness to interpret circumstances in a variety of situations and establish guidelines that direct how a departmental/agency program will be implemented. For example, positions establish the landscaping guideline for agency master plans, which direct future landscaping designs and operations.

Line/Staff Authority 

The direct field of influence the work of a position has on the organization is as a work leader or staff authority. The work leader is partially accountable for the work product of two or more full-time equivalent positions, including timeliness, correctness, and soundness. At least one of the subordinate positions must be in the same series or at a comparable conceptual level. Typical elements of direct control over other positions by a work leader include assigning tasks, monitoring progress and workflow, checking the product, scheduling work, and establishing work standards. The work leader provides input into supervisory decisions made at higher levels, including signing leave requests and approving work hours.

OR

The staff authority is a pacesetter who has a relatively rare level of technical expertise in a field or profession that, as part of the assignment, is critical to the success of an agency. This authority directly influences management decisions at least on an agency-wide basis. Managers and peers recognize and seek this level of technical guidance and direction for development of an agency-wide system or regarding the application of a statewide system within the agency or to its clients.

Entrance Requirements

Minimum entry requirements and general competencies for classes in this series are contained in the State of Colorado Department of Personnel website. For purposes of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the essential functions of specific positions are identified in the position description questionnaires and job analyses.

History of Changes Made to Class Description

The​ ​following​ ​is​ ​a​ ​summary​ ​of​ ​changes​ ​made​ ​to​ ​this​ ​class description.

June 30, 2015

Updated and removed the purpose of contact.

Effective July 1, 2008

PSE system maintenance study reduced pay grades for all classes in the series. Published proposed 7/31/2007.

Effective January 1, 2008

Changed class titles of all four levels to conform with SB07-107, C.R.S. 12-45-101 et. seq., Landscape Architects Professional Licensing Act. Published proposed 7/31/2007.

Effective July 1, 2002

PSE System Maintenance Study. No changes. Published as proposed 5/15/2002.

Effective September 1, 1993

Job Evaluation System Revision project. Published as proposed 6/1/1993.

January 1, 1975

Created.

Summary of Factor Ratings

Minimum Qualifications

Valid as of: March 5, 2024

This​ ​document​ ​includes​ ​the​ ​following​ ​levels:
 

LANDSCAPE INTERN (I2D1IX)

Experience Only:

Four (4) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years.

LANDSCAPE SPECIALIST (I2D2TX)

Experience Only:

Five (5) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to five (5) years.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT I (I2D3XX)

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

Current, valid licensure as a Landscape Architect from the Colorado State Board of Landscape Architects.

Substitutions:

None.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT II (I2D4XX)

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

• Current, valid licensure as a Landscape Architect from the Colorado State Board of Landscape Architects
• Two (2) years of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position

Substitutions:

Appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

History of Changes Made to Minimum Qualification

The​ ​following​ ​is​ ​a​ ​summary​ ​of​ ​changes​ ​made​ ​to​ ​this​ ​minimum​ ​qualification.

March 5, 2024 (Whole Document)

New format (updating to adhere to accessibility standards).

March 5, 2024 (I2D1IX, I2D2TX)

Updated minimum qualifications to align with the Skills-based Hiring initiative where applicable.

Nov. 2, 2017 (Whole Document)

Made grammatical changes.

Aug. 1, 2017 (I2D4XX)

Made language consistent with a year-for-year approach to substitutions for experience.

Aug. 1, 2017 (I2D3XX)

Standardized language regarding experience requirement.

Aug. 1, 2017 (I2D2TX)

Standardized language and made the substitution statements consistent with a year-for-year methodology.

Aug. 1, 2017 (Whole Document)

• Part of the 2017 MQ Project
• New Format