LOCATION: Regional position based in or within reasonable daily commuting distance of the assigned California service region. Current hiring priorities include the North Sierra/Eastern Sierra region and the Sonoma/Mendocino region. This role may include hybrid remote work; however, candidates must be able to reliably travel to assigned project sites, client meetings, field assessments, team meetings, and other project-related work within their assigned region. Occasional travel to other areas of California may be required based on project needs.
TO APPLY: Please submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected].
Landscape Designer
Watershed Progressive is seeking a Landscape Designer to support our design-build work in ecological landscape design, watershed resilience, water conservation, and nature-based site planning. This role supports the development of design plans, construction documents, graphics, and project materials for residential, commercial, school, community, and public-sector projects throughout California.
The Landscape Designer will contribute to projects that integrate climate-appropriate landscapes, native planting, stormwater management, greywater reuse, rainwater harvesting, irrigation planning, grading, drainage, and other site-based water resilience strategies. This position requires a combination of strong technical drafting skills, field-based site understanding, clear communication, and the ability to work collaboratively across design, construction, environmental, planning, and creative teams.
This is a regional role. Candidates must be able to support projects in the assigned service region, including site visits, client meetings, field assessments, design coordination, and occasional construction administration support. While some work may be completed remotely, this is not a fully remote position.
About Watershed Progressive
Watershed Progressive is a consulting and design-build collaborative focused on regenerative water management, ecological landscape design, and whole-systems planning. Our work integrates onsite water capture, greywater reuse, rainwater harvesting, stormwater management, native and climate-appropriate planting, watershed-level planning, and community-centered design.
We work with homeowners, schools, agencies, community organizations, and commercial clients to create landscapes and water systems that conserve water, support ecological health, and build long-term climate resilience.
Essential Responsibilities
The Landscape Designer will support and/or lead work in the following areas:
Conduct site assessments, field visits, measurements, photo documentation, and existing-condition reviews.
Prepare landscape design plans, planting plans, irrigation plans, grading and drainage concepts, site diagrams, presentation graphics, and construction documents.
Use AutoCAD, Land F/X, Adobe Creative Suite, GIS, and related design software to prepare clear, accurate, and professional project materials.
Support nature-based landscape design that incorporates California native plants, climate-appropriate planting, stormwater management, erosion control, rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, and integrated water strategies.
Coordinate with Project Managers, Landscape Architects, Designers, Construction Supervisors, Forepersons, Environmental Scientists, Engineers, and Creative/Communications staff.
Participate in client meetings, internal design reviews, project coordination meetings, and community or stakeholder presentations as needed.
Translate technical information into clear graphic formats, diagrams, maps, plans, and presentation materials.
Support construction administration, including responding to field questions, coordinating with construction staff, reviewing field conditions, and helping resolve design-build implementation details.
Maintain organized project files, design documentation, meeting notes, and project communication.
Manage multiple project tasks and deadlines while maintaining quality, accuracy, and responsiveness.
Communicate professionally with internal team members, clients, contractors, agencies, and project partners.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Landscape Design, Environmental Design, Planning, Architecture, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Three or more years of related professional experience in landscape design, ecological design, site planning, or design-build project support.
Strong AutoCAD skills; experience with Land F/X preferred.
Strong Adobe Creative Suite skills, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
Experience preparing planting plans, irrigation plans, grading/drainage concepts, construction drawings, and presentation graphics.
Knowledge of California native plants, climate-appropriate planting, and ecological landscape design principles.
Ability to assess project sites and translate field conditions into practical design recommendations.
Strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
Ability to work independently, remotely when appropriate, and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to reliably travel to project sites and meetings within the assigned regional service area.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with stormwater management, Low Impact Development, Best Management Practices, rain gardens, bioswales, erosion control, greywater reuse, rainwater harvesting, or water conservation design.
Experience supporting public, school, community, residential, commercial, or grant-funded projects.
Experience with GIS, ArcGIS, QGIS, GeoPlanner, SketchUp, Rhino, or other mapping/modeling/rendering software.
Experience with construction administration or design-build project coordination.
Ability to manage small projects or coordinate project tasks across multiple team members.
Experience with public outreach, community engagement, or stakeholder presentations.
Familiarity with California water regulations, permitting processes, watershed planning, or ecological restoration.
Spanish/English bilingual skills are a plus.
Regional Work Expectations
This position is tied to an assigned California service region. Current hiring priorities include:
North Sierra/Eastern Sierra Region: Candidates should be able to support project work in and around the Northern Sierra, Eastern Sierra, Mother Lode, foothill, and mountain communities as assigned. Project work may include travel to rural, remote, or mountain sites.
Sonoma/Mendocino Region: Candidates should be able to support project work in and around Sonoma County, Mendocino County, and nearby North Coast communities as assigned.
Candidates may occasionally be asked to support projects outside their primary region depending on project needs, staff capacity, and scheduling.
Physical and Field Requirements
While this is primarily a design role, it includes field work and site-based project support. Candidates must be able to:
Travel to project sites, including rural, residential, school, commercial, and undeveloped field locations.
Walk uneven terrain, slopes, planted areas, active construction sites, and outdoor project areas.
Work outdoors in varying weather conditions during site assessments or construction administration visits.
Carry basic field materials such as plans, measuring tools, camera/phone, and site documentation equipment.
Participate in site meetings with clients, field staff, construction teams, agencies, and project partners.
Reporting Structure
The Landscape Designer will report to the Design Hub Manager and will work closely with the Environmental Design Director, Landscape Architects, Project Managers, Creative/Communications staff, and Field/Construction teams.
Success in This Role
A successful Landscape Designer at Watershed Progressive will be able to produce clear and accurate design materials, understand site conditions, communicate effectively across disciplines, and support practical design solutions that can be built in the field. This role requires technical design ability, attention to detail, regional project availability, and alignment with WP’s integrated approach to water, landscape, ecology, and community resilience.
Pay: $70,340.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Sonoma County, CA
