Urban Designer
City of Boulder
March 27, 2015
Professional Area:
Urban Design
Experience:
5-7 years
Location:
Boulder, CO
OVERALL JOB OBJECTIVE:
Under general supervision, to facilitate community dialogue and building consensus regarding urban design, architecture and planning issues, coordinate projects, negotiate agreements, and to perform related duties as required.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Assists in coordinating urban design and architecture for the comprehensive Planning and Sustainability Department. This includes preparation and implementation of special planning projects and reports often involving urban design and design guideline issues and working with multi-jurisdictional staffs. This includes the following:
Under general supervision, to facilitate community dialogue and building consensus regarding urban design, architecture and planning issues, coordinate projects, negotiate agreements, and to perform related duties as required.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Assists in coordinating urban design and architecture for the comprehensive Planning and Sustainability Department. This includes preparation and implementation of special planning projects and reports often involving urban design and design guideline issues and working with multi-jurisdictional staffs. This includes the following:
- Assists in assessing and initiating urban design and planning projects to implement the department’s work program and to achieve City Council goals.
- Assists in preparation of graphic diagrams, illustrations, and maps, developing urban design plans, including 3D modeling, and identifies strategies to implement them.
- Assists in establishing project timetables, designs public charrettes, and developing annual work programs.
- Coordinates special project activities with City departments, , other organizations, and the public.
- Makes presentations at public meetings, Planning Board, Design Advisory Board, and City Council meetings.
- Coordinates preparation for Planning Board and City Council meetings and study sessions, including writing and assembling documents, preparing graphic illustrations and maps, reviewing materials, determining agenda items, and facilitating study sessions.
2. Serves as an urban design liaison to the planning staff, other department staff, City Council, Planning Board, other boards, community groups, and others concerned with planning and design issues. This includes the following:
- Acts as a technical urban design resource for Comprehensive Planning staff as well as architectural design review resource for Current Planning staff.
- Assists in developing graphic illustrations, diagrams, and maps as well 3D urban design modeling as needed to describe concepts, guidelines, code standards, plan recommendations, or to facilitate the successful completion of development review projects.
- May represent the City at public hearings and neighborhood meetings and make formal
- presentations of City recommendations. Provides technical design assistance to advisory groups, boards, committees, and the public.
- Facilitates and participates in community discussions about complex design and planning issues and builds consensus regarding optimal solutions.
3. Coordinates with consultants, interns, and other staff team members as necessary to effectively manage special planning and design projects.
4. Updates job knowledge continuously regarding design and planning methods, design criteria, City zoning and land use regulations, and the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. Remains aware of and is sensitive to community issues impacting the planning process.
5. Assists in developing and administering contracts for consultants working on urban design and planning projects.
6. Researches, analyzes, and prepares special reports as assigned.
7. Other:
4. Updates job knowledge continuously regarding design and planning methods, design criteria, City zoning and land use regulations, and the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. Remains aware of and is sensitive to community issues impacting the planning process.
5. Assists in developing and administering contracts for consultants working on urban design and planning projects.
6. Researches, analyzes, and prepares special reports as assigned.
7. Other:
- Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.
- Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents.
- Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies and procedures.
- Reports all accidents and damage to city property.
- Responsible for knowing and complying with all city and department policies; participating in professional trainings and development; and adhering to attendance and workplace attire policies.
Generally, duties are listed from most to least critical or time consuming.
The City of Boulder is a smoke and tobacco-free workplace.
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelors degree in Urban Design, Architecture or related field plus a minimum of five years of increasingly responsible experience and an active license to practice architecture or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Excellent graphic, verbal and written communication skills, including development of 3D urban design models. Demonstrated interpersonal and organizational skills. Strong project management skills including significant experience designing and leading public processes and demonstrated negotiation and consensus building skills. Excellent presentation skills. Ability to communicate complex and controversial issues effectively, both orally and in writing with the public, boards and City Council, City personnel, other agencies or community groups. Ability to analyze and synthesize large amounts of complex information. Ability to handle planning projects which involve politically sensitive or controversial issues. Practical knowledge of real estate and financing associated with private sector development. Valid driver’s license. Have and maintain acceptable motor vehicle record.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS – In addition to the required minimum qualifications:
Masters degree in Urban Design, Architecture or related field. Knowledge and understanding of the City of Boulder community, including its geography, politics, and interests. Knowledge of the history, practice, and objectives of planning in the community. Experience with urban design, architecture, design guidelines, form-based code working in the public sector or private sector on development and/ or redevelopment projects.
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelors degree in Urban Design, Architecture or related field plus a minimum of five years of increasingly responsible experience and an active license to practice architecture or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Excellent graphic, verbal and written communication skills, including development of 3D urban design models. Demonstrated interpersonal and organizational skills. Strong project management skills including significant experience designing and leading public processes and demonstrated negotiation and consensus building skills. Excellent presentation skills. Ability to communicate complex and controversial issues effectively, both orally and in writing with the public, boards and City Council, City personnel, other agencies or community groups. Ability to analyze and synthesize large amounts of complex information. Ability to handle planning projects which involve politically sensitive or controversial issues. Practical knowledge of real estate and financing associated with private sector development. Valid driver’s license. Have and maintain acceptable motor vehicle record.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS – In addition to the required minimum qualifications:
Masters degree in Urban Design, Architecture or related field. Knowledge and understanding of the City of Boulder community, including its geography, politics, and interests. Knowledge of the history, practice, and objectives of planning in the community. Experience with urban design, architecture, design guidelines, form-based code working in the public sector or private sector on development and/ or redevelopment projects.