Job Description

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

Under the direction of the Deputy Director for Design Review and the Assistant Deputy Director (ADD) of Public Realm Design, the Landscape Architect II will conduct a design review and solve complex landscape architectural and urban design problems, with a special focus on the public realm and issues of climate change. They will contribute to new and ongoing planning, design, and interdepartmental efforts on resilience, affordability, and equity. The Landscape Architect will help advance key City initiatives on climate adaptation and the urban forest.

The Landscape Architect II will be a key contributor to a wide range of public realm, urban design, and planning projects, producing analysis, conceptual ideas, and public realm, open space, and urban design scenarios.

Design Review

• As design reviewer, evaluate a wide range of large- and small-scale development projects by analyzing project documents (plans, sections, grading plans, etc.) and understanding the project context and site constraints, guided by the Citys design vision and planning goals.
• Understand climate-change/sea-level rise issues with particular regard to identifying projects with future need for resiliency measures, including retrofits, and coordination with the public realm and accessibility requirements.
• Conduct a design review of Public Improvement Commission (PIC) plans and evaluate proposed plans for compatibility with City priorities for development projects.
• Act as, or support the Deputy Director and/or ADDs role as Planning liaison to PIC, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, the Boston Transportation Department, the Public Works Department, the Boston Art Commission, and community groups on assigned projects or where public realm is being considered.
• Incorporate and apply urban design policies and applicable zoning regulations to evaluate how a project conforms with landscape architecture best practices, the principles of urban design, and planning goals specific to the neighborhood.
• Communicate design feedback in a professional and collaborative manner to external and internal stakeholders, using a combination of live and verbal communication, precise written documentation, and diagrammatic sketches.
• Prepare urban design analyses, site and landscape studies, and alternative scenarios, as appropriate, for development projects of all scales, with a focus on landscape architecture and climate adaptation.

Landscape Architecture, 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.
• Contribute to urban design studies, 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.
• 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 Citys public realm.

General

• 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.
• Present urban design and landscape/site 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 requested.

• Master's degree in landscape architecture or a closely related field, plus four (4) years of related professional experience.
• Candidates holding a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture, or a closely related field, with a minimum of six (6) years of experience may also apply.
• Candidates must either hold Massachusetts landscape architecture licensure or be actively working toward registration.

The work requires the ability to:

• Solve complex landscape, urban design, planning, and zoning problems across a wide range of scales.
• Understand and interpret urban design, landscape, 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.
• Collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Prior experience with complex landscape, climate resilience, and urban design projects is also highly desirable.
• Proficiency in design and office software, including AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam, and/or equivalent programs, is required. Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro or equivalent software is a plus.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants are requested to submit an eight- to twelve-page packet of work samples that illustrate strong graphic and written communication skills, as well as one writing sample on any topic related to design. Work samples should be combined as a single PDF with the applicant's cover letter.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Standard office environment; occasional site visits.
• Current City policy allows for hybrid work, including required days in the office and days allowed for remote work; policy is subject to change.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:
Non-Union EXM

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

Hours per week: 35

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