LANDSCAPE DESIGNER TRAINEE

Code: 10690 State Non-Competitive Range: P95 (FY 2027) Work week 40: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $60,876.32 - $63,662.98/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the close supervision of a Landscape Designer 3 or other supervisory official in a state department, agency, or office, as a trainee, learns to perform the design, construction, and maintenance of landscape architecture projects for transportation projects, parks, forests, or botanical gardens; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• As Trainee and productive worker under supervision:
• Learns to prepare basic program documents including the gathering of data and mapping.
• Learns to participate in onsite investigations to determine site conditions within project limits before design work begins.
• Learns to assist in the preparation of preliminary landscape plans and detail sheets that may include plant materials, earth forms, street furniture, and paved pedestrian areas.
• Learns to prepare grading plans and cross sections to be used in developing freeways, parkways, other state highways and parks, recreation, and picnic areas.
• Learns to assist in the design of architectural details of structures such as rustic guardrails, signs, picnic tables, and recreational structures required for highway and parkway developments, state parks, and forests.
• Learns to prepare calculations for landscape items.
• Learns to prepare specifications and input sheets for landscape items.
• May label all plant materials in the Botanical Garden with its Latin and common name.
• May participate in the research of old photographs, park histories, and other records required to determine original designs and layouts used in the Botanical Garden and general landscaping.
• Learns to inspect plant materials.
• May be required to learn Latin and common names of plants and flowers.
• Keeps current with botanical methodologies, fertilizers, pesticides, and related chemicals, their names, applications, and use.
• Learns to design drafts of planting plans in accordance with plant lists, sizes, specifications, and cost estimates, and prepares lists of needed plant materials.
• Prepares reports of landscape matters containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Establishes and maintains records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronics and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the methods used to prepare landscape-related specifications.
• Knowledge of the principles of landscape architectural design.
• Knowledge of the types of plant material including their botanical names, growth habits, adaptability to hardiness zones, and environmental requirements in relation to the transportation setting.
• Knowledge of landscape construction practices.
• Knowledge of the use and care of equipment, materials, and supplies used in landscape architecture.
• Knowledge of the factors involved in the design of planting plans.
• Knowledge of the use and care of equipment, material, and supplies used in landscape architecture.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques involved in ornamental horticulture for garden design.
• Knowledge of the methods used to restore, renovate, and maintain grounds, formal gardens, lawns and flower gardens, trees, and shrubs.
• Ability to prepare contract plans.
• Ability to prepare preliminary landscape design plans.
• Ability to read and interpret laws, rules, and regulations and apply them to specific situations.
• Ability to select landscape planting materials.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with garden clubs and other associations.
• Ability to establish and maintain records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• <b>ADVANCEMENT</b>
• Applicants who successfully complete the twelve-month training program will be eligible for advancement to the title, Landscape Designer 1 in accordance with Civil Service Commission procedures.
• The inability of an employee in this title to attain level of performance warranting advancement to the title above shall be considered as a cause for separation.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Possession of a valid license as a Landscape Architect issued by the New Jersey State Board of Architects may be substituted for the above education requirement.

When assigned to the Department of Environmental Protection's State Botanical Garden, a Bachelor's degree in Ornamental Horticulture, Aboriculture, or Floriculture, are also acceptable in meeting the minimum education requirements.