SECTION CHIEF, LANDSCAPE

Code: 15881F State Competitive Range: S31 (FY 2027) Work week N4: FLSA exemptOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $105,267.31 - $155,358.91/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 supervisory official in the Department of Transportation, is responsible for the management and supervision of work programs of two (2) or more defined work units in a Landscape Architecture related bureau (or organizational equivalent) having responsibility for landscape architectural designs, plans, specifications, details, drawings, graphics and landscape architectural construction support and inspection; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Plans, organizes, and prioritizes the work of the section and supervises the overall work operations.
• Is responsible for planning, designing, reviewing, and implementing all complex landscape architectural design elements and functions relative to the section's responsibilities.
• Reviews and approves landscape architectural plans, sketches, specifications, and details for quality, constructability, public safety, health, and welfare in compliance with current laws, design standards, and practices.
• Signs and seals landscape architectural plans, sketches, specifications, and details for inclusion in State contracts and permit submissions to regulatory agencies.
• Provides design and construction services for Department projects.
• Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
• Supervises section staff in achieving goals and objectives, is responsible for the accomplishment of section objectives in conformance with pertinent federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, and ensures that interagency objectives are met.
• Provides specific high-level technical information for legal actions and public forums pertinent to the section's functions and responsibilities.
• Supervises section activities and priorities, staff, and workload to conform to bureau and/or division priorities.
• Reviews and provides relevant technical guidance for legal and/or scientific documents relating to or affecting the specific objectives of a program or section.
• Plans, schedules, and participates in formal meetings and conferences involving state, federal, county, and local officials, those of other states, and private interests in reference to section matters.
• Plans and supervises the preparation of detailed reports containing problem identification, analysis, findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including but not limited to studies, compilations of data, computations, and analyses pertaining to the section's work.
• Reviews and assists in developing guidelines, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and implements required changes relative to the section's work.
• Administers, interprets, and ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
• Assists in the preparation of the budget, grant applications, and personnel need requests for the section, and monitors expenses in conformance with established budgets.
• Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of complex correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Identifies specific operational or implementation problems within the section and supervises the staff in resolving these situations.
• Researches and/or introduces new technical information, details, and methods most applicable to section operations and, when pertinent, supervises the establishment and maintenance of computer data base systems relative to section operations.
• Addresses professional, technical, and lay groups for the purpose of providing public information relative to the section's work.
• Keeps immediate supervisor apprised of current activities, problems, and developments relative to the section's work.
• Keeps abreast of laws, current laws, knowledge, information, and developments pertaining to the section's needs.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of essential files, records, data sources, and/or related materials.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic 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

Five (5) years of experience in landscape architecture or urban design work including the design or construction of highway projects, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

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 the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of landscape architectural design, theory, and principles.
• Knowledge of the New Jersey Department of Transportation's Scenic Byways Program and the administration of the Program.
• Knowledge of administrative practices and procedures and operational/organizational theories, and the application thereof in supervising overall work operations.
• Knowledge of the tools, techniques, principles, and practices utilized in the specific discipline appropriate to the position.
• Knowledge of the state and federal laws, and the rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures as they apply to the practice of landscape architecture and the designated functions and responsibilities of the section.
• Ability to supervise the preparation of reports on administrative, landscape, or technical matters with clear and accurate findings and sound recommendations, including appropriate implementation and scheduling.
• Ability to plan, design, review, and implement complex landscape architectural elements and projects relative to the section's functions and responsibilities, including soil erosion and sediment control (SESC), vegetative environmental mitigation, materials approval, construction layout, and landscape construction inspection and monitoring.
• Ability to develop, review, and revise standards and specifications for landscape architectural design and for vegetative SESC.
• Ability to develop consultant and Treasury contracts for the development and implementation of landscape architectural projects.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with representatives of local, county, state, and federal governments industry, civic associations, and others interested in the goals, functions, and responsibilities of the section.
• Ability to plan and coordinate the work of the assigned section.
• Ability to evaluate section performance, identify problem areas, and develop and implement improved or corrective methods and procedures.
• Ability to effectively represent a section at conferences, seminars, meetings, and negotiations.
• Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of essential records, files, and/or data sources.
• 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, and understand 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 as long as they can perform the 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

A work unit for this purpose would typically consist of a primary level supervisor and at least three (3) professional and/or technical subordinates, as appropriate. Any deviation from this standard must be pre-approved by the Civil Service Commission before any appointments are made to the title.

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.

A Master's degree in Landscape Architecture may be substituted for one (1) year of the indicated non-supervisory experience.

Appointees will be required to possess a valid license as a Landscape Architect, issued by the State of New Jersey, Department of Law and Public Safety, State Board of Architects.