Urban Designer

Position Description

An employee in this position participates in the development and interpretation of urban design guidelines relating to such areas as community and land use development, waterfront and downtown revitalization, traditional neighborhood design, historic preservation, streetscape and corridor design, and parks and recreation planning. Work is of more than average difficulty involving assigned urban design projects throughout the City. Under direction, the employee is required to exercise reasonable initiative and independent judgment in recommending urban design guidelines. Work is reviewed through conferences, oral and written reports, and observations of results obtained.

Job Duties

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.

• Assists in the development of community design concepts and policies, plans, and design guidelines to guide the physical development of the City in terms of preservation, growth, and change, as well as aesthetic qualities; applies urban design concepts to planning elements such as land use, transportation, housing, economic development and the environment.
• Assists in providing guidance for private development and publicly funded projects such as buildings, streetscapes and corridors, parks and open spaces to address issues such as architectural scale, density, visual appearance, convenience, integration and compatibility of different land uses, etc.
• Participates in the creation of design guidelines for application to individual parts of the environment such as basic streetscapes as well as to entire overlays or districts of the city.
• Reviews and evaluates plans and proposals prepared by outside agencies and develops recommendations regarding their soundness and relevance to municipal needs and plans.
• Assists in the preparation of graphic illustrations of design features, documents, maps, etc.
• May assist in the preparation of models and graphics and in the preparation of urban design reports.
• Makes oral presentations to staff and others to explain urban design concepts and procedures.
• May meet with private sector representatives to review urban design policy relative to specific property or overlay districts.
• Reviews actual design of various types of proposed development for comparison with guidelines and to provide design analysis and recommendations for projects.
• Conducts field research and collects, assimilates, and interprets data and indicators regarding municipal conditions.
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, landscape architecture or urban design and one (1) year of experience in urban design or architecture.

Supplemental Information

Working knowledge of redevelopment principles and practices; architectural techniques as applied to urban design; building types, design, development and construction; regulatory processes relating to planning and urban design; methods and materials of building construction; graphics and 3D modeling.

Knowledge of principles and practices of urban design, landscape architecture and/or architecture related to community design and development.

The ability to understand and apply City codes and regulations to assure adherence of said codes and regulations by the private developments community.

The ability to plan, and design engineering projects with oversite from senior City engineering staff.

Ability to prepare conceptual, schematic and preliminary community design plans; analyze projects and make recommendations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of individuals and groups, including city officials, city department representatives, consultants, engineers, contractors and the community at large; communicate effectively, orally and in writing; perform technical research.

Skills in writing clearly expressing ideas and facts; preparing urban design graphics and models; utilization of computer programs including AutoCAD, Photoshop, Corel Draw, and SketchUp.

The ability to foresee, address and/or assist in City customer’s challenges that shall lead to positive dealings with both internal and external customers.