Urban Designer II

The City of Boston seeks an Urban Designer II to enhance urban design and planning efforts focused on resilience, affordability, and equity. Responsibilities include leading design reviews, collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams, creating analytical and conceptual drawings, and developing urban design guidelines. Candidates should have a Master's degree in a related field and relevant experience. This position is based in Boston, MA, and is not remote.
Overview

The Urban Design division is responsible for crafting and executing a beautiful, human-scale, and inclusive vision for the design of the built environment across Boston. We champion the transformative power of sustainable, walkable communities that support social, mental, and physical health while improving resiliency and promoting equity.

Under the direction of the Deputy Director for Design, the Urban Designer will contribute to new and ongoing planning and interdepartmental efforts focused on resilience, affordability, and equity. The Urban Designer will be a key contributor to a wide range of urban design and planning projects, producing analysis, conceptual ideas, and planning and urban design scenarios. The Urban Designer may also conduct design reviews of projects of varying scales, sometimes in collaboration with other urban design and planning staff.

Responsibilities

Design Review
• As the lead design reviewer, review a wide range of large- and small-scale development projects, including signage, by analyzing project documents (plans, sections, elevations, etc.) and understanding the project context.
• Communicate design feedback in a professional and collaborative manner to external and internal stakeholders.
• Prepare urban design analyses and alternative scenarios, as appropriate, for large- and small-scale development projects.

Urban Design and Planning
• Work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams consisting of planners, architects, landscape architects, policymakers, and urban designers.
• Engage in all aspects of planning and urban design processes, including analysis of site and existing conditions, conceptual ideas, and scenario development.
• Lead urban design studies and direct staff, as appropriate.
• Work across multiple scales and contexts, including urban districts and neighborhoods, research and innovation clusters, campuses, etc.
• Be responsible for creating 2d and 3d analytical and conceptual drawings, graphics, digital and physical models, and other content that reflects City goals and community priorities and/or guiding staff on creating 2d and 3d content.
• Initiate urban design concepts and visual graphics, with guidance from senior staff.
• Develop urban design guidelines, feasibility studies, and impact analyses for a range of scales, from individual parcels to citywide planning and zoning initiatives.
• Collaborate with other City departments on design problems and planning projects regarding urban design and the City’s public realm.

General
• Communicate design and planning ideas and critiques, verbally and graphicly, to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent the City at public meetings and meetings with other City, state, and federal agencies.
• Present urban design ideas during internal and external meetings.
• Work with a variety of teams and contribute to a range of project types and geographies.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications
• Master's degree in architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, or a closely related field, plus four (4) years of related professional experience.
• Candidates holding a bachelor's degree in architecture, urban design, urban planning, landscape architecture, or a closely related field with a minimum of six (6) years of experience may also apply.

The work requires the ability to:
• Solve complex urban design, planning, and zoning problems across a wide range of scales;
• Understand and interpret urban design and architectural drawings, such as plans, sections, and elevations;
• Effectively and clearly communicate with a range of stakeholders graphically and verbally;
• Work on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously; and
• Collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Proficiency in design and office software, including AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite, and/or equivalent programs, is required. Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro or equivalent software is a plus.

Application Requirements:

Applicants are required to submit work samples that illustrate strong graphic and written communication skills or one graphic work sample and one written work sample. Work samples should be combined as a single PDF with the applicant's cover letter.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Normal office environment. Local travel for site visits and meetings.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Little or no exertion. Occasional handling of full-scale drawing sets, presentation boards/easels/equipment, or models.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Non-union/EXM

Salary Range: $75,000 - $90,000

Hours per week: 35