LANDSCAPE DESIGNER 3

Code: 10694 State Competitive Range: R26 (FY 2027) Work week 4E: FLSA exemptOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $83,582.01 - $122,831.91/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 general direction of a Project Engineer or other supervisory official in a state department, agency, or office, performs the complex tasks involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of landscape architecture projects for transportation projects, parks, forests, or botanical gardens; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required

Examples of work

• Supervises and/or prepares program documents including the gathering of data and mapping.
• Performs complex onsite investigations to determine site conditions prior to landscape design.
• Formulates design concepts for each project for discussion with supervisory officials.
• Supervises the preparation of preliminary landscape plans and detail sheets.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
• Supervises and/or prepares grading plans and cross sections used in developing freeways, parkways, other state highways and parks, recreation, and picnic areas.
• Supervises the final design of landscape plans which may include planting plans, grading plans, paving surfaces, street furniture, and landscape construction details.
• Supervises the design of architectural details of structures such as rustic guard rails, signs, picnic tables, and recreational structures required for highway and parkway developments, state parks, and forests.
• Selects plant materials to be used on assigned projects; inspects plant materials.
• Prepares a listing of landscape materials on each project for approval.
• Make aesthetic recommendations for architectural elements such as noise walls, retaining walls, fences, planters, walkways, and street furniture.
• Supervises the preparation of calculations for landscape items.
• Coordinates with construction and maintenance personnel regarding landscape design, construction, and maintenance work.
• Supervises and/or performs phase review for transportation projects.
• Supervises and/or prepares complex specifications for landscape items.
• Provides guidance, supervision, and training to subordinate landscape designers.
• Reviews and recommends construction work for acceptance.
• Prepares project schedule data on all transportation projects, and monthly updates for preconstruction scheduling.
• Reviews and prepares written comments for consultant scope of work and agreements; prepares modifications to consultant agreements.
• May assist the supervisory official with consultant monitoring.
• Attends meetings with public and government agencies.
• Supervises the implementation of the Botanical Garden work programs; supervises the inspection of other lands associated with the New Jersey State Botanical Garden to determine need for ornamental horticulture and landscaping work, lawn care, tree and shrub needs, and greenhouse operations.
• Supervises the labeling of all plant materials in the Botanical Garden with its Latin and common name.
• Supervises the maintenance and update of a tracking system of information used to monitor historical, cultural, landscaping, and planting techniques, methodologies, and technologies gathered from a national and international exchange.
• Organizes and coordinates the research for old photographs, park histories, and other records to determine original designs and layouts used in the Botanical Garden and for general landscaping.
• Instructs staff in the care and maintenance of completed plantings.
• Provides advice and answers complex public inquiries regarding landscaping or horticultural techniques of the formal and informal gardens, greenhouse, and nursery of the NJ State Botanical Garden.
• Supervises and/or gives horticultural lectures and other visual presentations to garden clubs, professional groups, local and private organizations, general public, special interest groups, and others.
• Works closely with volunteer groups, various garden clubs and plant societies, and other associations to organize, coordinate, and develop programs, lectures, plant sales, and flower shows to promote the Botanical Garden.
• Supervises the interpretation of both Latin and common names of plants and flowers and keep current with botanical garden methodologies, fertilizers, pesticides, and related chemicals, their names, applications, and use.
• Supervises and/or designs drafts of planting plans in accordance with plant lists, sizes, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Discusses technologies, methodologies, and techniques with other botanical garden representatives.
• Approves requisitions for materials, supplies, and equipment needed for the botanical garden.
• Supervises and/or prepares correspondence and reports.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of 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.

Experience

Three (3) years of experience in landscape design and construction.

License

Appointees may be required to obtain a New Jersey Pesticide Applicator Certificate or Operators Permit in the required categories.

The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the certification as a Pesticide Applicator, Commercial in the appropriate categories, issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, rests with the Appointing Authority.

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 and techniques 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 details, practices, and maintenance procedures.
• Knowledge of the use and care of equipment, materials, and supplies used in landscape architecture.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques involved in ornamental horticulture for garden design.
• Knowledge of chemical application techniques.
• 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 supervise the preparation of detailed contour grading plans and cross sections, planting plans, landscape architectural studies, and details to picnic and recreation areas, signs, and guide rails.
• Ability to prepare specifications, plans, and cost estimates of all types of landscape work.
• Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
• Ability to read and interpret laws, rules, and regulations and apply them to specific situation.
• Ability to prepare watercolor, pencil, and crayon landscape sketches and plans.
• Ability to select landscape planting materials.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with volunteer groups, garden clubs, and other associations.
• Ability to supervise the preparation of design plans for formal gardens, lawns, flower gardens, and landscaping and to monitor progress of construction or reconstruction sites.
• Ability to develop work schedules.
• Ability to prepare reports and correspondence.
• Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of records and files.
• Ability 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 essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

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.

A license as a Landscape Architect issued by the New Jersey State Board of Architects may be substituted for the above education requirement and for one (1) year of the required experience.

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