Leverage your hard-earned design, technical, and management expertise into your next great opportunity to lead the SWA/Balsley team on impactful sustainable projects of all types throughout the NYC metro area, U.S., Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
SWA/Balsley is actively seeking a highly skilled Mid-Level Landscape Architect with 7 to 10 years of experience working on parks projects and open space initiatives for the New York City Department of Parks Capital Division.
SWA/Balsley evolved from Thomas Balsley Associates into a collaborative studio whose philosophy places a high value on design contribution at all phases of a project’s development. SWA/Balsley’s portfolio focuses on the resilient and sustainable urban public realm, urban parks, waterfronts, and landscape infrastructure, as well as high profile and diverse hi-rise, mixed-use, residential, commercial and institutional projects.
In collaboration with ASLA National Design Medalist Tom Balsley and other studio leaders, you can seize this unique opportunity to spread your wings and contribute your unique NYC-agency leadership to our new growing studio. Collaborate with and travel to other studios of SWA, the largest landscape architecture firm in the U.S., while developing a robust portfolio of design excellence in NYC, the U.S., and abroad.
About The Position
- Studio leadership role with NYC Department of Parks and Recreation and other city agencies.
- Representing the firm at client and agency meetings and industry conferences.
- Contributing to the marketing/business development efforts and recruitment.
- Attendance at firm-wide technical and field group committee gatherings.
- Participation in project/design kick-offs and crits throughout the project’s duration.
- Provide studio leadership and mentoring in technical documentation and construction and provide project management, client management, and coordination of your own projects.
Minimum Requirements
- Accredited degree in Landscape Architecture.
- Licensed in the State of New York or ability to obtain license within 1 year.
- 7-10 years of professional experience in New York City at a landscape architecture firm, with work in both the private and public realm.
- Strong problem solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating project management of full services.
- Strong attention to detail and organization.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Effective time management skills.
- Positive attitude and sense of accountability.
- Proficiency in:
- AutoCAD
- Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, esp.)
- Lumion
- Rhino or Sketchup 3D modeling
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working for or with other NYC public agencies, particularly EDC and DDC.
- Experience leading a variety of public and private projects at a range of scales.
- Strong knowledge of construction documentation and plant materials.
- Experience in business development and marketing.
- Prior prime consultant leadership experience with large teams.
About SWA/Balsley And SWA Group
SWA/Balsley is a predecessor to Thomas Balsley Associates whose work has earned national and international reputation for award-winning public parks, plazas, and waterfronts designed to the highest standards of social, cultural, and environmental resiliency and is led by the National ASLA Design Medalist Tom Balsley. Notable projects include Riverside Park South, Peggy Rockefeller Plaza, Hunter’s Point South and Gantry Plaza Parks, Burj Khalifa Dubai, Nelson Mandela Park, Curtis Hixon Park, Perk Park, New Harbor City Parks, and Jeddah Central District, and over 60 NYC POPs. Our affiliate, SWA Group, is the largest landscape architecture firm in the U.S.— with studios in Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, San Francisco, Sausalito, Shanghai, and an affiliate office in New York, SWA/Balsley.
SWA works to develop complete designers throughout their careers versed in concept design through construction, eventually specializing according to their strengths and talents. As a 60-year-old employee-owned company, SWA has some of the best employee benefits in the industry. Profit sharing, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) contributions, and bonuses are additional compensation to competitive salaries. This adds to full medical coverage, dental insurance, emergency medical and travel assistance, pre-tax commuter checks, paid time off (vacation, sick, holiday), 401K matching contribution to your retirement plan, supplemental paid parental leave, reimbursement of testing for licensure, and H1B sponsorship in the U.S. where applicable.
Apply
- Portfolio (10 pages, 20MB max.)
- Resume/CV
- Contact information for 2-3 references
- Cover letter
