Urban Design Associate, University City District

About University City District

University City District (UCD) is a non-profit, special services district that leverages a unique partnership of universities, health systems, large and small businesses and community groups to invest in public spaces, address public maintenance and public safety issues, bring life to commercial corridors, promote job growth and innovation, and connect low income residents to career opportunities. 

UCD's Planning & Economic Development Department promotes a vibrant and walkable University City with the development and stewardship of public spaces and other pedestrian infrastructure (including The Porch at 30th Street Station and 40th Street Portal), business attraction and retention, market research and data, transportation management, and other urban design and sustainability work.

 

Position Description
Under the supervision of the Director of Planning & Design, the Urban Design Associate will plan, implement, and evaluate public spaces along with pedestrian and bicycle improvements throughout University City. This individual will assist with data collection and analysis on a variety of public space initiatives, and manage projects ranging from tactical interventions to legacy projects. Our public spaces need to be closely maintained and cared for, and this position will work with our maintenance teams to coordinate, monitor and evaluate our public space assets. 

 

Specific duties include, but are not limited to: 

Planning

  • Support the Director of Planning & Design in large-scale urban design and placemaking work.
  • Participate in the planning, development, and initiation of new public realm improvements.
  • Develop ornamental horticulture and planting design plans for public and private spaces.
  • Write and issue requests for proposals for professional services.
  • Represent UCD to governmental and regulatory agencies, stakeholder groups, and the public.
  • Prepare budgets and timelines for projects and ongoing programs. 
  • Create maps, briefings, illustrations and photo renderings to support general planning and urban design efforts. 

 

Implementation 

  • Manage the UCD parklet and banner programs.
  • Manage public space furniture both in the field and storage, perform quarterly inventories of all furniture, coordinate annual repairs and replacements, and make assessments for replacements as needed. 
  • Work with the Director of Planning and Design and the General Manager of Green City Works to coordinate plant material acquisition, deliveries, and installations. 
  • Oversee fabrication and installation of placemaking interventions.
  • Manage budgets and timelines for projects and ongoing programs. 

 

Evaluation

  • Work with the Senior Manager of Policy & Research to devise and implement survey methodology to assess bicycle, pedestrian, and transit improvements to University City.
  • Evaluate the impact of placemaking interventions, with an eye for future improvements.
  • Assist with writing blog posts, newsletter articles, and grant proposals.

 
Education, experience and skills

Ideal candidates will have a BLA, MLA, or BA in Architecture with three to five years of experience. Fluency in AutoCAD, ARC GIS, the MS Office suite, Photoshop and InDesign is a must.

 

Compensation

Compensation is approximately $50,000 and offers exceptional benefits including: three weeks of vacation after one year of service in addition to UCD offices being closed between Christmas and New Years, affordable health care, and generous matching toward retirement. 

 

To apply, please submit a one page cover letter and resume to [email protected] by March 1, 2017 at 5pm.