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.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under direction of the Deputy Director for Design Review, the Senior Urban Designer II will lead design review for development projects of all scales. The Senior Urban Designer II will be a key member of project review teams, facilitating internal and interdepartmental conversations and communicating clear and actionable feedback, guided by City goals and policies, to project proponents. The Senior Urban Designer II will also serve as a mentor to other design review staff and play a key role in ensuring that proposed development projects advance the City’s design vision and planning goals.

In addition, the Senior Urban Designer II may prepare or guide urban design studies and provide urban design guidance to planning study teams. 

Design Review

• As the lead design reviewer, lead comprehensive review of development project proposals ranging from signage to master plan developments, analyze project documents (plans, sections, elevations, etc.) and the proposed impact to the project context. Incorporate and apply urban design guidelines, planning goals, and applicable zoning regulations to evaluate a project.
• Provide timely and concise comments on urban design, infrastructure, daylight analysis, resilience, and environmental performance of a project.
• Lead conversations with the project proponent or their representative, and other City staff, including sustainability and resilience staff. Work collaboratively with colleagues from the Planning Department and other City departments to review projects, identifying key City priorities and building consensus with colleagues.
• Communicate design feedback in a professional and collaborative manner to external and internal stakeholders.
• Analyze and evaluate, through both writing and graphics, planning and design proposals, zoning initiatives and design-related environmental impacts. Solicit and consider input of community and civic groups, abutters, and other interested parties, as appropriate.

Urban Design

On occasion, the Senior Urban Designer II will assist in research and design initiatives for the Planning Department. Responsibilities may include:

• Guided by the City’s design vision and planning goals, engage in all aspects of planning and urban design processes including site and existing conditions analysis, conceptual design ideas, and scenario development.
• Work across multiple scales and contexts including urban districts and neighborhoods, research and innovation clusters, campuses, etc.
• Create or direct the creation of 2d and 3d analytical and conceptual drawings, graphics, digital and physical models, and other content that reflects City goals and community priorities.
• Work with and mentor staff in the development of urban design and planning concepts, guidelines, graphics, and other content.
• Initiate urban design concepts and visual graphics.
• Develop and write 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.
• Manage internal staff and/or consultants for urban design projects, which may range from site studies to design guidelines to design standards to citywide planning.

General

• Advise supervisor or other senior staff of politically sensitive or controversial project-related issues requiring their input and/or approval.
• Represent the City at public meetings and meetings with other city, state and federal agencies as required for assigned design review and planning projects.
• Dispense public information about specific projects and overall design and planning initiatives to private citizens, civic or community groups, and other interested parties. This may include conducting tours, discussing and explaining models, and interpreting the use and application of guidelines and zoning.
• Participate in the development of Requests for Proposals (RFP) and the subsequent selection of engineering, planning, and/or design consultants.
• Prepare regular status reports of projects under review for supervisor and other senior staff.
• Perform other related duties as required.

• Master’s degree in architecture, urban design, or a closely related field, plus 15 years of related professional experience. Candidates holding a bachelor’s degree in architecture, urban design, urban planning, landscape architecture, or a closely related field plus 17 years of experience are also encouraged to apply. Architecture licensure is preferred but not necessary for this role.

The work requires the ability to:

• Carry out design reviews in a professional and collaborative manner.
• Understand and discuss technical details and constraints of both buildings and public realm projects.
• Guide development teams in solving complex urban design, planning, and zoning problems across a wide range of scales.
• Effectively and clearly communicate with a range of stakeholders graphically and verbally.
• Work on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Lead and/or collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Prior experience in conducting public design/development review is highly desirable. Prior experience designing complex architectural or urban design projects is also highly desirable.
• Proficiency with design and office software including, PowerPoint, Bluebeam Revu or Acrobat is required. Familiarity with AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and/or ArcGIS Pro or equivalent software is a plus.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants are required to submit cover letter, resume and work samples that illustrate strong written and graphic communication skills. All materials need to be combined as a single PDF.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED 

Terms:

Non-union/EXM

Salary Range: $106,000 - $144,000

Hours per week: 35