8H
Date: September 1, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Civil Service Commission
Hedieh Khajavi, Human Resources Director
By: Tina Ortiz, Principal Human Resources Analyst | [email protected] Subject: Civil Service Commission and Human Resources – Approve Proposed Class Specification for Landscape Architect/Park Development Manager. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the Civil Service Commission and Human Resources Director that City Council approve the proposed class specification for the Landscape Architect/Park Development Manager.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
On June 9, 2026, City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Plan, which included the creation of a Landscape Architect classification in the Community Services Department.
The proposed Landscape Architect/Park Development Manager classification will provide professional expertise in the planning, design, and management of park and landscape capital improvement projects, including project coordination, contract administration, budget and schedule monitoring, and construction oversight. The position will also support implementation of the City's Parks Master Plan.
A supplemental will be submitted to confirm approval of the proposed class specification by the Civil Service Commission at their meeting on August 24, 2026.
ATTACHMENT
1. Civil Service Commission Meeting - August 24, 2026
1 Honorable Chair and Members
of the Civil Service Commission
City Hall
Torrance, CA
Honorable Members:
Commission Meeting
August 24, 2026
SUBJECT: APPROVE PROPOSED CLASS SPECIFICATION FOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT/
PARK DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the Human Resources Director that your Honorable Body approve the proposed class specification for Landscape Architect / Park Development Manager and forward it to the City Council for approval.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
On June 9, 2026, City Council adopted the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Plan, which included the creation of a Landscape Architect classification in the Community Services Department.
The Community Services Department is responsible for planning, developing, constructing, and maintaining the City's parks, landscaped areas, and recreational facilities. As the City continues to implement capital improvement projects, park renovations, and the goals identified in the City's Parks Master Plan, there is an increasing need for dedicated professional expertise in landscape architecture and project management. The proposed Landscape Architect / Park Development Manager classification is intended to provide specialized technical leadership in the planning, design, development, and administration of park and landscape capital improvement projects.
The new classification will serve as the City's professional landscape architect and will be responsible for managing projects from initial planning and design through construction and project closeout.
Duties include preparing and reviewing landscape architectural plans and specifications, coordinating consultants and contractors, administering contracts, monitoring project budgets and schedules, conducting construction inspections, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, and presenting projects to advisory bodies, City Council, and the public. The position will also support implementation of the City's Parks Master Plan while enhancing the delivery of park development projects and improving coordination among City departments and external stakeholders. 7A
ATTACHMENT 1
2 The proposed class specification establishes the definition, supervision exercised/received, qualification guidelines, and special requirements necessary to perform
the
professional duties of the
position and provides the City with a classification that reflects current operational needs and industry standards for park development and landscape architecture.
CONCUR:
Human Resources Director
NOTED:
/:;��
Brianne Cohen
Civil Service Manager
Respectfully submitted,
HEDIEH KHAJAVI
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
ByTinffQ;p
Principal Human Resources Analyst
Attachment A) Proposed Class Specification for Landscape Architect I Park Development Manager B) Organizational Chart of the Community Services Department 3 City of Torrance
Code:
Class Designation: Civil Service
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT / PARK DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Definition
July 2026
New
Under general direction, plans, manages, and oversees the design, development, construction, and rehabilitation of park and landscape capital improvement projects; prepares and reviews landscape architectural plans, specifications, and construction documents; manages consultants and contractors; provides project management from project conception through completion; performs landscape architecture plan review; and performs related duties as assigned.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The Landscape Architect/ Park Development Manager is a professional management-level classification responsible for administering complex park development and landscape architectural projects. The incumbent independently manages projects involving planning, design, consultant coordination, construction administration, budget monitoring, and community engagement while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and City standards. This classification serves as the City's professional landscape architect for park development and capital improvement projects.
Supervision Exercised/Received
Receives general direction from the Department Head or assigned management staff. May exercise technical and functional supervision over professional consultants, contractors, project crews, and assigned support staff.
Examples of Essential Duties
The following duties represent the principal job duties; however, they are not all inclusive. • Plans, organizes, manages, and coordinates park development and landscape capital improvement projects.
• Assists in implementing the City's Parks Master Plan. • Develops conceptual designs and prepares preliminary and final landscape architectural plans. • Designs new parks, park renovations, medians, streetscapes, and other City-owned facilities. • Prepares construction drawings, technical specifications, cost estimates, and bid documents. • Develops landscape, irrigation, grading, drainage, lighting, planting, and site improvement plans. • Prepares environmental documentation required for assigned projects. • Ensures projects comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including water- efficient landscape requirements.
• Serves as project manager from project initiation through design, construction, and project closeout. • Develops project scopes, schedules, budgets, and cost estimates. • Monitors project progress, schedules, expenditures, and deliverables. • Coordinates multidisciplinary project teams to ensure successful project completion. • Reviews project schedules and prepares cost, schedule, and status reports. • Assists in preparing and administering capital improvement project budgets. • Performs landscape architecture plan review.
• Inspects construction projects for compliance with approved plans, specifications, and contract requirements.
• Conducts field inspections and prepares inspection reports and field documentation. • Reviews contractor submittals, requests for information, change orders, and payment requests. • Conducts pre-construction meetings and coordinates project implementation. • Reviews construction bids and assists with contract administration and negotiations.
ATTACHMENT A
4 City of Torrance
Code:
Class Designation: Civil Service
July 2026
New
• Selects, coordinates, directs, and evaluates consultants including landscape architects, architects, engineers, and other professional service providers.
• Administers professional services and construction contracts. • Coordinates with contractors, vendors, suppliers, utilities, regulatory agencies, and City departments.
• Negotiates project issues and recommends contract modifications when appropriate. • Coordinates projects with City departments and governmental agencies. • Attends public meetings and community outreach events. • Responds to inquiries, concerns, and complaints from residents and stakeholders. • Presents project information to advisory groups, commissions, City Council, and community organizations as assigned.
• Provides technical direction to project staff and consultants. • Trains, mentors, and evaluates assigned support personnel. • Promotes a collaborative, customer-service-oriented work environment. • Performs related duties as assigned.
Examples of Other Duties
The following duties represent duties that are generally performed by this position, but are not considered to be principal job duties:
• Assists with the development, update, and implementation of departmental policies, procedures, standards, and design guidelines.
• Represents the department on interdepartmental committees, regional organizations, and professional associations.
• Assists with preparing annual work plans, performance measures, and departmental reports. • Serves as a technical resource to other City departments on landscape architecture, irrigation, accessibility, sustainability, and park development issues.
Qualification Guidelines
Knowledge of
•
•
• •
• •
• •
Principles, practices, and techniques of landscape architecture, park planning, site design, and construction.
Landscape construction methods, irrigation systems, grading, drainage, planting design, lighting systems, and site development.
Horticulture, soils, plant materials, irrigation, pest management, and landscape maintenance .
Project management principles including budgeting, scheduling, cost estimating, and contract administration.
Public works construction practices and construction inspection .
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and standards governing landscape architecture and public construction.
Research, analysis, report preparation, and customer service principles .
Modern office software and computer-aided design technologies .
Core Competency
• Action and Results Focus - Showing initiative and focusing on accomplishments • Assessing Talent - Identifying performance capabilities and potential of others • Decision Making - Exercising discretion and judgment in choosing courses of action • Fiscal Acumen - Budgeting and allocating monetary resources • Handling Conflict - Managing strained interpersonal situations • Leadership - Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal
5 City of Torrance
Code:
Class Designation: Civil Service
• Managing Performance - Taking responsibility for improving the effectiveness of others • Oral Communication - Engaging effectively in dialogue • Presentation Skills - Formally delivering information to groups • Professional and Technical Expertise -Applying technical subject matter to the job • Project Management - Ensuring projects are on-time, on-budget, and on-specifications July 2026
New
• Relationship Building - Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships • Self-Management- Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability. • Strategic View -Maintaining the big picture and long-range objectives as a guide for decisions • Written Communication - Communicating effectively in writing License and/or Certificates
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License.
Registration as a Landscape Architect issued by the California Architects Board.
Education and Experience
Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge and skills required is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Landscape Architecture or a closely related field and four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in landscape architecture, park development, capital improvement project management, or related professional work, including responsibility for managing public space development projects.
Additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis to the extent that the experience has prepared the individual to perform the duties of the classification.
Special Requirements
Performance of
the
essential duties of this position includes the following physical demands and/or working conditions:
Work is performed in both office and field environments. Duties require standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis, and inspecting active construction sites.
Incumbents may be required to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, attend evening meetings, work flexible hours, travel throughout the City, and use a personal vehicle during the course of employment.
Career Ladder Information
Experience gained in this position
may
serve to meet the qualifications for Community Services Director.
6 CITY OF TORRANCE
Organizational Chart
Community Services
ADMINISTRATION
Ranger Supervisor
(1)
Lead Ranger
Supervising Ad min
Assistant
PARK SERVICES
DIVISION
Park Services
Manager
(1)
{11
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Community Sc1vices
Di1ec1or
ECREATION SERVICES
DIVISION
Recreation Services
Manager
(1)
Assistant Assistant
Landscape
Architect/Park
Developm"nt
Mano9er
(1)
Senior Business
Manager
(1)
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(3)
Pest Control
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(1)
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