City of Boston

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Urban Designer I

Req ID
2024-27509
Dept
Planning Department
Position
Regular Full-Time
Location
Boston City Hall
Union
EXM
Openings
2
Posting End Date
12/12/2024
Contact Email
cassie.cavender@boston.gov

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 beautiful, sustainable, walkable communities for everyone that support social, mental, and physical health while improving resiliency and promoting equity.

 

Under the direction of the Assistant Deputy Director for Urban 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:

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.
  • Work across multiple scales and contexts, including urban districts and neighborhoods, research and innovation clusters, campuses, etc.
  • Create 2d and 3d analytical and conceptual drawings, graphics, digital and physical models, and other content that reflects City goals and community priorities.
  • 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.
  • Contribute to the maintenance of the City’s digital 3D model.

DESIGN REVIEW:

  • 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.
  • Prepare urban design analyses for large- and small-scale development projects.

GENERAL:

  • Support the Boston Civic Design Commission by organizing logistics, updating the website, preparing minutes and reports, and facilitating meetings.
  • Communicate design and planning ideas and critiques, verbally and graphically, to both internal and external stakeholders.
  • Represent the City at public meetings and meetings with other City, state, and federal agencies.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in architecture, urban design, urban planning, landscape architecture, or a closely related field, plus zero to three (0-3) 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 two (2) 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.
  • 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: $66,000 - $78,500

Hours per week: 35 

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The City of Boston is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Therefore, qualified applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category.

The City of Boston has played a role in causing and perpetuating the inequities in our society. To break down these barriers, we are embedding equity and inclusion into everything we do.

We define equity as ensuring every community has the resources it needs to thrive in Boston. This requires the active process of meeting individuals where they are. Inclusion is engaging every resident to build a more welcoming and supportive city. We are building a city for everyone, where diversity makes us a more empowered collective.