Begin Your Landscape Architecture Career from Design Through Construction
SQLA, Inc. is seeking a motivated and highly organized recent landscape architecture graduate to join our boutique landscape architecture and design-build firm.
This is a unique entry-level opportunity for someone who wants to develop as a designer while learning how landscape projects move from initial concepts through purchasing, construction, and completion.
The position is approximately:
- 50% landscape design and project support
- 50% purchasing, vendor coordination, and project administration
You will work closely with SQLA’s principal, who brings approximately 40 years of landscape architecture, planning, and design experience. Because SQLA is a small, hands-on firm, you will receive direct exposure to the decisions, materials, relationships, and practical problem-solving involved in bringing landscape designs to life.
The ideal candidate is creative, detail-oriented, dependable, and willing to wear multiple hats. This is a fully in person office role and especially well suited to a recent graduate who wants broad professional experience rather than being limited to one narrow part of the design process.
About SQLA
SQLA, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based landscape architecture and design-build firm serving commercial, residential, institutional, hospitality, urban, and community projects.
Our integrated approach connects design with material selection, purchasing, construction, and project execution. This gives our team members a practical understanding of how design decisions affect budgets, timelines, constructability, and the completed environment.
As a boutique firm, we offer emerging professionals the opportunity to work closely with experienced leadership, participate in multiple phases of a project, and take on increasing responsibility as their capabilities grow.
Primary Responsibilities
Landscape Design and Project Support — Approximately 50%
- Assist the principal and project team with landscape architecture and design-build assignments.
- Support projects through conceptual design, schematic design, design development, construction documentation, and construction administration.
- Prepare plans, drawings, diagrams, presentations, renderings, and other project materials.
- Translate design direction, sketches, comments, and redlines into accurate project documents.
- Research plants, landscape materials, site furnishings, products, and construction methods.
- Help develop planting concepts, material palettes, product selections, and presentation packages.
- Organize project drawings, specifications, photographs, research, and supporting documentation.
- Participate in internal design discussions, project meetings, and site visits as appropriate.
- Coordinate with project managers, contractors, vendors, and other members of the design-build team.
- Help ensure that design intent is clearly communicated and carried through during project execution.
Purchasing and Project Coordination — Approximately 50%
- Research plants, materials, products, manufacturers, vendors, and suppliers for active projects.
- Request and compare vendor proposals, product information, availability, and pricing.
- Assist with preparing and tracking purchase orders, product orders, deliveries, and material schedules.
- Communicate professionally with vendors and suppliers by telephone and email.
- Follow up on quotes, orders, lead times, backorders, substitutions, and delivery commitments.
- Confirm that ordered materials and products align with project drawings, specifications, quantities, and schedules.
- Maintain accurate purchasing logs, vendor records, material schedules, and project files.
- Coordinate purchasing information with designers, project managers, accounting personnel, and field teams.
- Assist with matching vendor invoices to purchase orders, proposals, and delivery records.
- Help identify and resolve pricing, product, billing, availability, and delivery discrepancies.
- Provide general project coordination and administrative support as needed in a collaborative small-firm environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Recent bachelor’s or master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from an accredited or recognized college or university.
- Zero to two years of professional or internship experience.
- Portfolio demonstrating design thinking, creativity, technical ability, and visual communication.
- Working proficiency in AutoCAD or comparable drafting software.
- Familiarity with SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, 3D modeling, rendering, Revit, GIS, or related design applications is a plus.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, email, and digital file-management systems.
- Interest in plants, landscape materials, products, construction methods, and the built environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Comfort speaking with vendors, suppliers, contractors, and other project partners by telephone and email.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
- Ability to follow through consistently and help ensure that commitments are completed.
- Openness to feedback and a willingness to ask questions and learn.
- Ability to work full-time, on-site at SQLA’s Los Angeles office.
The Right Person for This Role
You may be a strong fit if you:
- Recently completed a landscape architecture degree and are ready to begin your professional career.
- Want direct mentorship from an experienced landscape architect and firm principal.
- Enjoy both creative design and the detailed coordination required to execute a project successfully.
- Are curious about how materials are sourced, priced, purchased, delivered, and installed.
- Are comfortable moving between drawing production, product research, vendor communication, and project follow-up.
- Take ownership of assignments and follow through until issues are resolved.
- Thrive in a small, entrepreneurial firm where team members contribute in multiple ways.
- Want to understand the complete journey from design concept to completed landscape.
What You Will Gain
- Direct mentorship from a principal with approximately 40 years of professional experience.
- Practical experience in both landscape design and purchasing.
- Exposure to multiple project types and phases of development.
- A stronger understanding of materials, pricing, constructability, and project execution.
- Opportunities to work with designers, contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, and clients.
- Experience seeing design ideas move from plans and presentations into built environments.
- Increasing responsibility as your technical skills, judgment, and confidence develop.
- A broad foundation for a long-term career in landscape architecture and design-build.
Specific benefits and eligibility requirements will be discussed during the hiring process.
How to Apply
Please submit:
- Your résumé.
- Your landscape architecture portfolio or a link to your portfolio.
- A brief introduction explaining why you are interested in a position combining landscape design, purchasing, and design-build experience.
- Your availability to begin working.
Pay: $25.00 - $28.00 per hour
Application Question(s):
- Have you recently graduated within the last 12-18 months?
- Do you have a bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture
Education:
Work Location: In person
