Image: Harald Johansen via Wikimedia.org (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Note: This is reposted from the City of Boston website. See original posting here.
OVERVIEW:
The Deputy Chief of Urban Design is responsible for crafting and executing a beautiful, human-scale, and inclusive vision for the design of the built environment across Boston. They will champion the transformative power of beautiful, sustainable, walkable communities for everyone that support social, mental, and physical health while improving resiliency and promoting equity. They will be the city's design visionary and report directly to the Chief of Planning.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Relentless focus on the human-scale design of the public realm: Uphold Boston's reputation as a walkable city from small details to large plans so that the public domain of streets, sidewalks, and open spaces are designed to enrich the public life for every Bostonian.
Creative. visionary, global thinking: Bring urban design inspiration, innovation, and best practices from other cities, across the country, and worldwide to inform Boston's approaches (form-based codes, missing middle housing, etc.).
Local context while upholding the big picture: Elevate urban design in a way that is welcoming and inclusive for our communities and preserves the full range of Boston's history while remaining steadfast in the overall vision, so it is clear to the viewer while managing individual conditions.
Cross-functional climate collaboration: Partner on the Mayor's Green New deal agenda with the Boston Transportation Department, The Environment Department, Parks, Office of Housing, Public Works, Public Facilities, Boston Public Schools, Boston Public Libraries, etc. - and align urban design efforts into a comprehensive vision for Boston.
Organizational transformation: In partnership with the Chief Planner, strategically transform existing BPDA processes and structure to hold a high bar for the City's equality of planning and urban design creating predictability for both the community and development interest. This individual will implement this without adding unnecessary time, steps, and red tape for external partners.
Managing relationships with Boards and Commissions stakeholders: Implementing the vision will require the Deputy Chief to follow elements of their design vision through the related boards and commissions and their staff (ex. Public Improvements Commission, ZBA, Parks, Historical Commission, etc.) to ensure proper execution. The Deputy Chief will work with BPDA staff and the Boards and Commissions staff to enable development that is consistent with the vision.
Minimum Entrance Qualifications:
Extensive background in Urban Design, Architecture, or closely related field; at least ten (10) years experience leading and implementing great urban design projects.
Excellent ability to connect the City’s built form to advancing public-policy goals for equity, health, affordability and climate resilience.
Team player with a collaborative spirit, low-ego, high EQ, respectful, responsive, high commitment to getting the job done and sharing credit.
Outstanding interpersonal skills which are applicable in the widest range of cultural audiences and engagement types, able to work with and be inclusive of diverse interests and backgrounds.
Excellent skills at convening and bringing parties to resolution on specific planning and design matters as well as adopting the larger view. The successful candidate will also be able to foster the same among staff.
Experience at cultivating staff growth, both existing and long-standing staff and newer, younger staff new to Boston.
BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED.
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.
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