Senior Landscape Architect

Theres no pledge more important than the one we make to look after our environment and were committed to helping you do exactly that.

Who are we looking for

Our Toronto studio is growing and were looking for a Senior Landscape Architect to join our team. Youll work alongside architects ecologists arborists engineers and environmental specialists on projects that range from transit infrastructure and water treatment facilities to parks plazas and nature-based public spaces.

This is a role for someone who thrives on design excellence enjoys mentoring others and wants to make a meaningful impact through their work. We offer a collaborative fun and well-run environment where your ideas are valued your growth is supported and your contributions help shape the future of Ontarios landscape architecture.

Were guided by a shared purpose: creating lasting community benefit. Our commitment to safety teamwork integrity and respect drives everything we dofrom low-impact development and ecological restoration to inclusive public realm design.

This is an opportunity for individuals who are passionate about design driven hardworking and looking to be challenged in their career development to grow and create opportunities for unique place making across projects in Ontario. We offer an opportunity to be part of a growing and dynamic company in a professional working environment that is of the highest quality and client focused.

In an ever-changing world it requires creativity and innovation to stay ahead.

Were seeking the curious those who are stimulated by fresh thinking and a desire to shape our communities in new positive ways.

As part of a truly global team working on complex and rewarding projects youll be at the forefront of driving change. See what the power of commitment can do for you.

Join us as we strive to ensure a sustainable future for our communities and the world we live in.

Become part of our global network of skilledengineers scientists auditors planners and environmental specialists all working together to leave this world better than we found it.

Responsibilities

• Architectural Design: Develop and design landscape and architectural solutions across all project stages setting materials finishes techniques and methodologies. Interpret client briefs and develop designs that balance aesthetics functionality sustainability and cost. Apply low-impact development green-blue infrastructure and ecological restoration principles to create resilient and inspiring spaces.
• Building Information Modeling (BIM) System: Supervise the installation operation and maintenance of Landscape Information Modeling (LIM) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems. Ensure systems are coordinated with architecture engineering and environmental teams maintained to industry standards and periodically upgraded. Review and endorse data base maps and models for future use.
• Bid Solicitation/Request for Proposal/Tender Analysis: Conduct complex feasibility studies from technological financial and organizational perspectives including cost-benefit analysis and sustainability assessments. Prepare specifications fee calculations and tender documentation for bid solicitation (RFP RFT) to support project delivery and business development.
• Engineering Solutions Design: Create and review detailed engineering and landscape drawings including grading planting irrigation and ecological restoration. Prepare construction documents cost estimates specifications and tender packages. Apply industry standards codes and sustainable design guidelines (LEED Toronto Green Standard OBC AODA).
• Engineering Drawings: Create complex engineering drawings to support the communication evaluation and implementation of engineering solutions.
• Building Surveys: Undertake building technical and site surveys to assess existing conditions identify risks and determine opportunities. Conduct background research and precedent studies to inform innovative and context-sensitive design.
• Construction Advice: Build and manage relationships with clients municipalities stakeholders and the public. Demonstrate strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills to balance diverse stakeholder needs and achieve community-focused outcomes.
• Client & Customer Management (External): Manage relationships with small clients while also helping senior colleagues manage relationships with larger key clients and customers.
• Personal Capability Building: Lead day-to-day project management of landscape architecture projects meeting schedule budget and quality targets. Supervise mentor and delegate tasks to junior staff sharing knowledge and fostering professional growth.
• Innovation & Knowledge Building
  Promote innovation through advanced visualization graphics and digital design tools (Revit Civil 3D AutoCAD SketchUp Lumion Enscape Adobe Suite Bluebeam AI tools). Maintain professional knowledge through ongoing education conferences and research into design precedents sustainability and technology trends.

Education

• Bachelors or masters in landscape architecture degree preferably from a LAAC or LAAB accredited program in Canada or the United States
• Full member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (preferably with seal)
• Minimum five (5) years professional landscape architectural experience (minimum three (3) as a full OALA member and an additional two (2) years continuous professional landscape architectural experience as an OALA Associate post university graduation)

Experience

• General Experience: General Experience: 610 years of professional experience in landscape architecture with at least 3 years as a full OALA member.
• Managerial Experience: 13 years of project leadership staff mentorship and resource management.
• Specific Experience: Expertise in municipal approvals public realm design (parks plazas streetscapes transit facilities) ecological restoration sustainable design guidelines and contract administration.
• A passion and track record for design excellence innovation and successful implementation
• Successful leadership management and delegation experience
• Solid understanding of site analysis sustainability landscape design and master planning
• Experience in the history and theory of landscape architecture sustainable design construction technology design precedents horticulture urban design planning approvals building codes accessibility Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action
• Hand sketching of analysis ideation design alternatives plans sections and details with pencil marker or stylus
• Development of graphic materials and presentations
• String communication and presentation skills
• Robust inter-disciplinary design and presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex issues concisely with architecture engineering ecology and arborist disciplines.
• Report writing
• Planting design with Ontario native trees woody shrubs forbs grasses for planting design on grade structures roofs and walls
• Urban green infrastructure planting design details and construction
• Ecological restoration planting design of terrestrial and wetland environments
• Soil analysis design modification and specification
• Construction drawings and specification preparation review and tendering
• Contract administration including submittal reviews site meetings reports instructions record drawings warranty and close-out
• Municipal development approval experience in preparation of plan of sub-division zoning bylaw amendment site plan building permit submissions
• Sustainable guideline experience including Sustainable Sites LEED Toronto Green Standard green infrastructure City of Toronto Green Roof Bylaw City of Toronto Guidelines for Biodiverse Green Roofs
• Accessible design and details with the OBC and AODA
• Pet-friendly design and details
• Development and quality review (with Bluebeam) of plans elevations sections and details
• Quantity takeoffs and cost estimating for landscape architecture
• Urban and rural public realm design of parks plazas playgrounds POPS spray pads skate stops sports courts/fields streets waterfronts trails cycling infrastructure and associated planting
• Irrigation demand design detailing and specifications
• Low impact development design and details
• Natural area conservation and restoration design experience
• MTO road and highway design experience
• Transit facility (new and existing stations plazas planting site furniture parking PUDO emergency exit facilities multi-use pathways maintenance operations)
• Mixed-use and transit-oriented development
• Experience with Integrated Design Process BIM and Information Management processes
• Proposal writing fee calculations and scheduling.
• Research review of background information design precedents
• Strong English verbal written and reading skills
• French and/or Spanish speaking reading and writing an asset

Skilled in managing project budgets schedules and tracking

• Experience with Microsoft Teams Outlook Excel PowerPoint Project Word and Whiteboard (and/or Miro)
• Experience with information modelling and collaboration software such as Revit Civil 3D Environment for Revit Sketch-up Navisworks Autodesk Construction Cloud Bentley ProjectWise Environment for Revit
• Expertise with computer -aided design and drafting software: AutoCAD LandF/X Bentley MicroStation
• Experience with rendering and animation software: Photoshop Enscape Lumion
• Experience with graphics software: Illustrator After Effects
• Experience with PDF review software: Bluebeam Acrobat
• Experience with artificial intelligence software: ChatGPT Copilot Midjourney
• Experience with microclimate carbon analysis and climate positive design tools: Pathfinder Forma

Cover Letter
Tell us how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and values outlined in the job description. Highlight specific projects that demonstrate your leadership design innovation and commitment to sustainability. Wed love to hear what excites you about this opportunity and how you see yourself contributing to our team.

CV
Submit a tailored CV (maximum 4 pages) that includes a short bio and three key projects most relevant to this role. Make sure your bio references these projects directly and feel free to include any additional experience that shows your versatility and growth.

Portfolio
Include only your best and most relevant work. Theres no page limit but clarity and relevance are essential. For each project briefly describe the context your role key design decisions and outcomes. Focus on work that demonstrates your technical expertise interdisciplinary collaboration and design excellence.

Take on some of the worlds toughest challenges - with everyone at GHD backing you every step of the way.

Well give you control over your career empower you to find innovative solutions and help you create a lasting impact.

See where your commitment could take you with GHD.

As a diverse and inclusive organization we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. Upon request GHD will provide reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process.

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