Landscape Architect

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Job Summary

The Landscape Architect provides leadership for the planning, design, and ongoing stewardship of outdoor spaces at Getty Center, the Getty Villa, and other properties, ensuring a unified vision that enhances visitor experience while honoring the institution’s architectural and cultural heritage. This role develops and enforces campus-wide design standards and guidelines, guiding renovations and new projects to align with sustainability, accessibility, and long-term development goals. The position collaborates extensively with internal teams, external consultants, and cultural stakeholders to deliver cohesive, safe, and maintainable landscapes and outdoor exhibitions. Additionally, the Landscape Architect oversees project coordination, sustainability initiatives, and regulatory compliance to support innovative, resilient, and well-managed campus environments.

Major Job Responsibilities

• Leads the creative vision for outdoor areas by guiding consultants and staff to produce sophisticated conceptual designs, master plans, and site studies
• Ensures unified and high-quality character across Getty campuses, primarily at Getty Center and the Getty Villa but inclusive of additional Getty properties
• Oversees planning and design management of outdoor environments across the Getty properties, promoting innovation and historic heritage
• Develops comprehensive campus design guidelines and standards for outdoor areas to preserve and enhance long-term campus identity, sustainability, resiliency, and operational efficiency
• Establishes clear standards for the existing iconic hardscapes and new renovations while preserving hallmark campus features
• Provides design guidance on renovations of legacy and prominent outdoor campus spaces, including hardscape materials, paving standards, site furnishings, lighting, signage, shading, wayfinding, universal design, and accessibility
• Collaborates with architectural designers, external consultants, engineers, and Getty staff to support long-term site stewardship
• Collaborates with stakeholders such as curators, artists, conservators, and other scholars to ensure outdoor exhibits, displays, and sculptures promote vision and are presented in a manner that is safe, maintainable, and consistent with other landscaping and infrastructure
• Serves as a member of various committees, collaborates with peer institutions, and participates in conferences and workshops to share knowledge, evaluate practices, resolve concerns, pursue design ideas, and network with communities of interest
• In close collaboration with the Department of Grounds and Garden’s horticulturists and staff, ensures exterior hardscape environments and gardens are functional, sustainable, safe, and visually aligned with the organization’s standards
• Coordinates closely with Capital Project Management, Campus Planning, Grounds and Gardens Services, Engineering and Maintenance, and external consultants to guide the campus’s long-term physical growth
• Contracts and supervises the design and consulting work of other design professionals as needed, depending on the scope and size of the project
• Evaluates designs and performance of existing and proposed landscapes, plazas, water features, café areas, outdoor learning areas, structures, seating areas, viewing areas, pathways, and outdoor exhibits for safety, accessibility, health, and aesthetics
• Supports long-term open-space preservation efforts
• Integrates sustainable site strategies such as native planting, ecological restoration, stormwater best management practices, and resource-efficient irrigation
• Assists with developing and meeting Getty sustainability requirements
• Conducts drawing, specification, plan, submittals, and document reviews for accessibility and Universal Design standards, environmental regulations, stormwater requirements, and campus policies
• Participates in permitting processes and coordinates with local agencies when required

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in landscape architecture
• Professional licensure such as Licensed Landscape Architect (or ability to obtain licensure within two to three years)
• 3-7 years of professional experience in landscape design, site planning, or campus/public-sector projects
• Proficiency in design/technical software AutoCAD, Revit
• Familiarity with LEED, SITES, and sustainable landscape practices
• Experience working in higher education, institutional campus design, or similar environments

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to blend artistic landscape design with heritage architecture to create unique outdoor environments
• Strong knowledge of hardscape construction methodologies, detailed grading, drainage, and sustainable planting design
• Knowledge of codes, regulations, standards for landscaping, building, environmental, and infrastructure
• Ability to lead diverse teams in developing project scopes
• Demonstrated ability in managing project budgets, timelines, and deliverables
• Experience working with external consultants, design firms, engineers, and architects
• Ability to solve complex challenges through creative, collaborative processes
• Skills in stakeholder engagement, presentations, and collaborative design processes
• Understanding of facilities operations, maintenance considerations, and capital project processes
• Deep knowledge of regional plant materials, and sustainable site practices
• Effectively communicates moderately complex information to a variety of audiences (internal and external to the organization)
• Develops large professional network that is leveraged in the course of work

Benefits and Perks

Here are just some examples that Getty offers/provides for full-time employees:

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance coverage, starting on date of hire. Getty pays 75%-95% of the premium, depending on the plan selected.
• 403(b) Employee Investment retirement plan - with up to 5% Getty Match
• Getty contribution of 6%, on behalf of employee, to 401(a) retirement account
• Educational Assistance and professional development
• Paid Vacation, Sick and Personal Days
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Many positions have bi-weekly Off-Fridays
• On-Site Fitness Center at Getty Center
• Community service opportunities

To learn more about our comprehensive benefits and long list of perks, go to Getty HR.