Landscape Design and Architect Assistant

A fun fast-paced sustainable landscape company is looking for an outdoorsy nature nerd that is artistic and creative. This person is eager to practice and learn to design and retrofit landscapes in central Oregon into healthy functional habitats that are designed with an eye toward nature and eventually teeming with life and beauty!  This is an opportunity to grow into a 3⁄4 -fulltime designer if you are a good fit for the company.

Our Mission:
At Your Garden Companion LLC our mission is to implement regenerative strategies that restore the urban and rural landscape. By teaming with nature, our landscapes are teeming with life. We create nature-based designs by mapping onsite microclimates, soil qualities and water resources to determine which native plants best match the site. This restores habitat and function to the landscape, all the while creating beauty.

Our Culture:
We are a small family-like group that supports each other and strives to build healthy relationships and a workplace culture that is ethical, professional, and caring about each
other and the planet. We build each other up and strive to match potential staff with duties that match their gifts. All humans are welcome here and we embrace diversity as a form of resilience in the landscape and as a growing team of great people.

Qualifications:

• Recent graduates who want field experience and mentoring on projects, but capable of pre and post mapping, computer art and or landscape programs, photography and drawing flowers and plants to create quick and accurate images for clients that can be reused in future work. Someone who is eager to be mentored, but not afraid to add components of their own design
• Someone with a sincere interest in nature and learning native plants and conveying that enthusiasm with clients
• Sees this work as an opportunity to implement conservation strategies through designs.
• 4-year degree or 2-year certificate in landscape design or architecture
• Field experience in nature preferred
• Willing to learn and pitch in on all aspects of the business, which may include yard maintenance, sod removal, irrigation, fuel management, soil amending, use of equipment, plant purchase and placement, installing trails, raingardens and rocky ridges or features that bring a landscape to life

Responsibilities:

• Assist owner/designer with consultations, and or site assessments, by preparing scaled maps, taking visual and written notes, pictures, drawings of downspouts and water flow, views, etc. The final design will be approved
• Follow up with written notes and drawings to discuss and then together share potential ideas with YGC Designer before we review the ideas with the client. Once finalized measurements finalized for estimating soil, rock, irrigation needs and labor, etc.
• Purchase and help place plants on client’s property based on cooperative design and mentoring
• Work side by side with the field crew and project manager to plan project installation needs
• Attend city or HOA planning meetings to assess irrigation/required rebate needs, etc.
• Help installing projects like removing sod with hand tools and power equipment
• Fill in on as crew member to perform yard maintenance as needed, though this is NOT your primary role, but all staff fill in when needed or other staff are out sick

Skills and Abilities (Those learned on the job end with a (Δ)

• Creative, adaptable, flexible, confident, calm, and professional
• Willingness to learn new things, use a variety of equipment and tools.
• Enjoys working with others, taking initiative, leading by example.
• Communicates well, both verbally and in legible writing
• Has some botany-natural history skills
• Drives with caution and curtesy towards others
• Willing to wear YGC uniform and appropriate field gear Δ
• Physical stamina to work 4-8 hours outside doing physical labor on field days, which may include: Using hand or power tools, filling wheelbarrows and spreading soil, bark, plants, debris, etc. that may be 30lbs or heavier, and the ability to stoop, squat, and walk 5+ miles when necessary (It is best if you know when to ask for help and use equipment that makes your life safer and easier, we rotate jobs and physical labor between staff to alter movements) Δ
• Ability to drive a truck with attached trailer Δ
• Willing to learn how to observe water leaks and repair simple irrigation systems: set controllers, adjust spray heads, and drip nozzles, etc. Δ

Leadership is your primary avenue for implementing sustainable practices in the field. The ability to direct crew and staff is essential once you have been in the position and how the business works. This will also include prepping the vehicles and equipment, completing daily paperwork, and solving problems related to the site or equipment. It also means setting clear instructions and objectives for the day. You will primarily assist the designer to support the design process and installation process; however all tasks are shared to some degree so at times, you will be part of the crew, and others acting as a lead or assistant.

Benefits:
After one year with the company full-time employees are eligible for sick days and paid vacation. Opportunities for growth include regular staff training and promotional potential. Employees also get snacks, occasional free produce, flexible work schedules, and workers compensation insurance. YGC is currently working on expanding our benefit package for full- time employees. We pay our staff fair wages based on their experience and skills. We listen to our staff and get direct feedback from our crew in the field.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:
YGC is committed to providing a safe, comfortable, and productive work environment for its employees. YGC requires all staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Accommodation for exemptions will be provided as required by law.