Landscape Design Associate

Job Title: Design Associate 
Location: Watsonville, CA 
Company: K&D Landscaping
Job Type: Full-Time, In-Person 
Reports to: Landscape Designer 

K&D Landscaping  is a family-owned and operated design-build firm based in Watsonville, CA, serving the Central Coast since 1986. We specialize in high-end residential landscapes and select commercial projects, driven by our commitment to quality, creativity, and craftsmanship. Our culture is employee-focused, collaborative, and rooted in six core values that guide everything we do. 

We are looking for a Design Associate to join our growing design team. This is a unique opportunity for a motivated and detail-oriented early-career designer to deepen their technical and creative skills in a highly collaborative studio environment. The right candidate will support the design team in producing high-quality construction drawings, graphics, and presentations for custom landscape projects. 

Job Characteristics: 

• A steady, thoughtful pace with an emphasis on accuracy and visual communication 

• Supports methodical processes with room for creativity in developing visual concepts 

• Ideal for individuals who are self-motivated, design-focused, and thrive in a supportive team environment 

• Task-focused role requiring strong time management and attention to detail 

• Collaboration is important, but excellence in individual contributions is essential 

• Success in this position comes from diligence, design integrity, and pride in your craft 

Job Duties: 

• Assist in the preparation of landscape design packages from concept through construction documentation 

• Draft site plans, layout plans, planting plans, and construction details with precision and efficiency 

• Support project managers and designers in developing complete construction documents 

• Produce visual materials to support the design process 

• Create perspectives, look books, and illustrative graphics 

• Assist with 3D modeling, renderings, and presentation documents 

• Contribute to project quality and team productivity 

• Maintain high standards in drafting and graphic presentation 

• Support internal deadlines and coordinate deliverables with the design and construction teams 

• Collaborate with team members to ensure project intent is achieved 

• Communicate effectively with project leads and team members 

• Participate in design reviews and team workshops 

• Manage time and tasks in a fast-paced environment 

• Prioritize assignments across multiple active projects 

• Remain organized and flexible while contributing to team goals 

Experience/Qualifications: 

• 1–5 years of experience in a landscape architecture or design firm 

• Proficiency in AutoCAD (Vectorworks experience is a plus) 

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) 

• Familiarity with SketchUp and 3D rendering software 

• Experience preparing construction documents 

• Land F/X experience is desirable 

• Ability to produce design studies, visual graphics, and hand sketches 

• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities 

• Authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship 

Compensation:

• $25 - $35 an hour, depending on experience and qualifications 

• Health insurance

• Vision and dental 

• 401(k) retirement plan with company match 

• Paid vacation and holidays 

• Professional development opportunities 

• A strong, values-based company culture 

• Collaborative and creative studio environment 

• Opportunities for growth into design leadership roles