landscape technical director

Location: Los Angeles, CA
Position: Landscape Technical Director

About KDI 
Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) is a mission-driven, interdisciplinary design and community development studio crafting resilient public spaces in partnership with under-resourced communities. From neighborhood parks to citywide plans, our projects reflect deep community engagement, technical excellence, and design integrity. At KDI, we’re more than just a design practice; we’re a community partner. Rooted in equity and resilience, our mission is to co-create thriving public spaces with under-resourced communities, transforming neighborhoods through design, planning, and advocacy. We’re seeking a technically skilled and collaborative Landscape Technical Director to help us deliver on that mission, ensuring constructability, quality, and mentorship across our growing portfolio. As the seniormost Landscape Architect at KDI, you will guide projects from design development through construction administration, balancing technical excellence with community vision. You’ll mentor the next generation of landscape architects, strengthen KDI’s technical standards, and lead projects that bring sustainable infrastructure and vibrant public spaces to life in communities that need them most. 


What You’ll Do 

• Lead projects from Design Development through Construction Administration and Post-Occupancy.
• Translate community input into buildable, resilient, and beautiful public spaces.
• Oversee construction documentation, details, specifications, and QA/QC.
• Navigate permitting, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, and manage tight budgets and schedules.
• Mentor junior staff, including guiding them towards landscape architectural licensure.
• Integrate sustainable systems like stormwater, resilient planting, grading, and irrigation into designs.
• Conduct site observations and address construction challenges.
• Contribute to internal technical knowledge-sharing and documentation standards.
• Communicate design solutions clearly to partners, agencies, and community members. 

What We’re Looking For 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture, or additional commensurate years of industry experience.
• 12-15 years of professional experience in landscape architecture.
• Licensed Landscape Architect in California - or reciprocity within 6 months.
• Strong technical skills in detailing, grading, irrigation design, stormwater management, and materials.
• Experience in construction administration (RFIs, submittals, site observations).
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino (plus Grasshopper, Revit, ArcGIS, etc. a plus).
• Experience with public realm or infrastructure projects, especially those with permitting and agency coordination.
• Demonstrated mentorship capability and strong communication skills.
• Passion for community-centered and environmentally resilient design and alignment with our mission of partnering with under-resourced communities to advance equity and activate the unrealized potential in their neighborhoods and cities. 

In-Office Requirements 
At KDI, we embrace a collaborative in-office culture, and this role is based in our Los Angeles office and is office four days per week, with every other Friday off and the alternating Friday as a remote work day (9/80 work schedule). Your in-office time will include key project milestones, site visits, community engagement sessions, and team work sessions. Additional travel may be required for conferences, project meetings, and site observations. 

Role Structure
We recognize that great candidates may be looking for different ways to engage. While our preference is to make this a full-time, in-office role, we are also open to considering strong applicants interested in a part-time or contract-to-hire arrangement. In all cases, the role will be based in our Los Angeles office, as collaboration and in-person connection are essential to our work. If you’re excited about the mission and the work but need flexibility in how you join, we encourage you to apply and we’d love to explore the fit together. 

Compensation 
At KDI, we are committed to creating a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected, and fairly compensated. Our compensation philosophy reflects our core values of equity, transparency, and sustainability. We strive to offer competitive compensation packages that recognize performance, honor individual contributions, and support long-term career growth.  Final salary will be determined based on factors such as experience, licensure, technical expertise, and ability to mentor others. 

For full-time, W2 US-based applicants only, the salary range is $118,000 – $125,000.

Kounkuey Design Initiative is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age (40 and over), ancestry, association with a member of a protected class, bereavement leave, cannabis use, color, disability (physical, intellectual/developmental, or mental health/psychiatric.), Family Care and Medical Leave (CFRA) related to serious health condition of employee or family member, child bonding, or military exigencies, gender identity or expression, genetic information or characteristic, marital status, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristic), military and veteran status, national origin (includes language restrictions), participation in an EEO protected activity, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions, Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), race (includes hairstyle and hair texture), religion or religious creed (includes dress and grooming practices), reproductive health decision making, reproductive loss leave, sex/gender, and sexual orientation. KDI will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

 

How to Apply

Please submit your resume, portfolio, and a short cover letter outlining your experience and passion for advancing equity through design.

APPPLY HERE