Review Vacancy
AgencyParks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Office of
TitleLandscape Architect Trainee, SG-18/Assistant Landscape Architect, SG-20 (NY HELPS) - NYC
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $70951 to $111621 Annually
Duties Description As an Assistant Landscape Architect/Landscape Architect Trainee, the duties will include but are not limited to the following:
As a Landscape Architect Trainee, SG-18, you would assist Landscape Architects in planning and supervising the construction and maintenance of landscape architectural projects to achieve maximum usefulness, safety, and appearance consistent with economic and environmental considerations. Depending upon the agency where you are employed, you would perform site assessments, prepare designs, select materials, estimate cost, and provide construction supervision for landscape architectural work on highways, buildings, or parks. You may also prepare erosion and sediment control plans, storm water pollution preservation plans; develop pedestrian facility and wetland mitigation designs. You would coordinate your work with the architectural, environmental, and engineering aspects of projects with regard to the locations, design, construction, historic/cultural preservation, and maintenance of these projects.
As an Assistant Landscape Architect, SG-20, under the general supervision or direction of a higher level licensed and registered professional engineer, architect or landscape architect, prepares plans and projects, and oversees the development of such projects, which includes reviewing and approving the performance of contractors; incumbents may supervise lower level professional and technical staff.
Minimum Qualifications If Civil Service Eligible list(s) exist, they will be canvassed. You may also apply if you are eligible for appointment by one of the following qualifications:
NY HELPS or 55-b/c Qualifications:
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*
To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55-b/c, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:
Landscape Architect Trainee, Non-Statutory (NS) Equated (EQ) to Salary Grade (SG) 18:
Either 1. A bachelor's or higher-level degree** in landscape architecture;
OR 2. A Landscape Architect's License from any state or political subdivision of the United States.
**Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university with a Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) accredited curriculum, a Canadian Society of Landscape Architects Accreditation Council (CSLAAC), or by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education (https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home). If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States or its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. This information can be found at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. Candidates are responsible for the evaluation fee.
NOTE: If chosen, you may, at the agency's discretion, be appointed to a higher level. You must inform the agency of any additional qualifications in your application and at your interview.
The advanced placement qualifications are:
Assistant Landscape Architect, SG-20:
Successful completion of Sections 1 and 2 of the New York Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE) and one year of experience planning and designing landscape development and site improvement projects, and overseeing the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of outdoor spaces and other open areas for transportation facilities, buildings, parks, historic sites, recreational facilities, campuses, gardens, playgrounds, and roads and highways.
If you are a veteran or an individual with a disability and would like to apply for the Department of Civil Service’s 55-b/c Program, please visit https://www.cs.ny.gov/rp55/ for more information.
Reassignment Qualifications:
Current NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Employees only, with at least one year of permanent or contingent-permanent qualifying service as an Assistant Landscape Architect or Landscape Architect Trainee (formally known as Junior Landscape Architect); if you have less than one year, you must be reachable on the eligible list for this location, if one exists.
Provisional Qualifications:
In the absence of an eligible list(s) with three or more candidates willing to accept a position, a temporary provisional appointment may be considered. For provisional appointment, candidates must be meet the same minimum qualifications as listed under NY HELPS Qualifications.
The appointed candidate would have to take, pass and be reachable on the next holding of the examination to be appointed permanently.
Candidates may also be qualified for permanent competitive appointment if reachable from the appropriate Civil Service eligible list or eligible for reinstatement or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law.
Additional Comments Depending on each applicant's experience and/or current salary if employed by New York State already, the appointment may be made to the Landscape Architect Trainee, or the Assistant Landscape Architect titles. Included below is a breakdown of the salary at each level of the position.
Landscape Architect Trainee, SG-18 starting salary: $70,951. The salary indicated includes the sum of the statutory hiring rate for PS&T Grade 18 ($66,951), and Downstate Adjustment of $4,000.
Assistant Landscape Architect, SG-20 starting salary: $101,673. The salary indicated includes the sum of the statutory hiring rate for PS&T Grade 20 ($74,193), an Increased Hiring Rate of $9,980, Geographic Pay Differential of $13,500, and Downstate Adjustment of $4,000.
The maximum compensation for this position is $111,621. The salary indicated includes the sum of the statutory job rate for PS&T Grade 20 ($94,121), Geographic Pay Differential of $13,500, and Downstate Adjustment of $4,000.
Landscape Architect Trainee, NS EQ SG 18, who have successfully completed one year of service and have passed Sections 1 and 2 of the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE) will be advanced to an Assistant Landscape Architect, SG-20.
Failure to obtain a passing result on both Sections 1 and 2 of the LARE within the first year of service will result in removal from your position.
Operational Needs:
• Must possess and maintain a valid NYS drivers’ license as a term and condition of employment.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Work schedule may vary depending on agency needs and project completion dates.
• If applicable, at the time of appointment and as a condition for continued employment, you must possess a New York State Landscape Architect’s license with current registration.
Benefits:
The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation offers a generous benefits package that includes but is not limited to:
Paid Time Off:
• PEF: 44 days - 13 Vacation days, 13 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays.
• PEF: Three (3) days of professional leave annually to participate in professional development.
Health Care Benefits:
• Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.
Additional Benefits:
• New York State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Membership
• NYS Deferred Compensation
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, as well as U.S. Savings Bonds
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Paid Parental Leave
To learn more about our benefits, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/employment/benefits.aspx.
*NY HELPS PROGRAM:
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a permanent non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Employees appointed via the NY HELPS program are restricted for promotional appointment until their position is covered-in to the competitive class by the New York State Civil Service Commission (CSC), or they otherwise obtain permanent competitive status. The CSC has covered-in employees who were appointed via NY HELPS on a permanent or contingent permanent basis between June 26, 2024 and June 11, 2025. You may wish to apply if you received a permanent NY HELPS appointment to a qualifying title within these timeframes and are interested in this opportunity. Your eligibility for promotion will be reviewed by Human Resources. Employees with a permanent NY HELPS appointment occurring effective June 12, 2025 or later will be addressed with a subsequent cover-in.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address employment@parks.ny.gov
Address
Street NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
625 Broadway
Notes on ApplyingPlease be advised that New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation does not use E-Verify and does not offer sponsorship for employment visas statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEP OPT). Candidates sponsored for employment by an organization should be aware of their sponsorship status and the relevant expiration date(s) of that sponsorship before applying to this position.
All candidates must submit a written resume and cover letter which clearly demonstrates how they meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Please submit your resume and cover letter as a Word or PDF attachment. In addition, please include a copy of transcripts, copy of Landscape Architect's License, and proof of passing Sections 1 and 2 of the LARE if applicable. We are unable to open documents from Google Docs, Google Drive, OneDrive, Apple Pages, and/or “the cloud”.
Applications can be submitted by email to: employment@parks.ny.gov.
Please use the email subject line: Landscape Architect - 216474
Failure to do so may result in not being considered for the position. Applications will be reviewed for consideration until the position(s) is filled.
It is the responsibility of each applicant to accurately describe their experience and demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualifications. Failure to demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications and operating needs may result in your resume not being considered for this position.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities and workplace diversity.
New York State (NYS) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, carrier status, gender identity or prior conviction records, or prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications or sealed records unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.
Executive Order 31 commits New York State government to becoming a model employer for people with disabilities, increasing the participation of people with disabilities in state service, and ensuring equal access to opportunities. OPRHP encourages people with disabilities to apply. We provide reasonable and religious accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please send a request to the Equal Opportunity Unit at ReasonableAccommodation@parks.ny.gov or (518) 486-7754.