Job ID: 23497
Opening Date: 09/19/2023
Closing Date: 09/29/2023
Job Summary
This position is located in the Office of Planning (OP) Urban Design Division (UDD). The OP’s mission is to plan for the long-term growth of the District of Columbia, to help ensure it reflects the values of an inclusive and vibrant city. OP helps the District work toward a positive future in which all District residents can thrive, regardless of income, race, age, or background. OP guides development in the District of Columbia’s distinctive neighborhoods by engaging stakeholders and residents, performing research and analysis, serving as the steward of our historic resources, and publishing various planning documents, including the Comprehensive Plan.
The Urban Design Division develops, and reviews plans and projects for neighborhoods and development areas with a focus on urban design, design excellence, beautification, sustainability, and the enhancement of the District’s public spaces. UDD manages the public space program and reviews streetscapes, parks, and open space designs; and develops plans, guidelines, and other tools to advance design quality and address safety, equity, environmental health, community image and aesthetics, and walkability. UDD provides Urban Design guidance, public education, and Design Review, including the development of strategies and guidelines for specific areas and projects, renderings, and visual depictions, as well as the review of federal and District buildings and projects, zoning cases, large tract review, landscapes, other installations, streetscape elements, public art, signage, and commemorative works.
The position functions as a Urban Designer responsible for collaborating on and contributing to various projects and initiatives within OP to enhance neighborhoods and the public realm to better serve District residents and other stakeholders; and, helping to implement and encourage high quality standards of design excellence in the District’s built environment.
Duties and Responsibilities
Provides expert guidance and direction to the Mayor's Office, DC Council staff, federal agencies, and community stakeholders, etc. on urban design matters to apply a racial equity lens related to physical planning, citywide policy formation, and neighborhood placemaking in the District of Columbia. Conducts research and prepares technical and analytical reports, including public life studies, based on data collected or fieldwork / site visits. Reports include graphs, charts, maps, diagrams, 3-D illustrations, narrative text, and graphically compelling presentations to support findings and recommendations. Develops design concepts for improvements and prepares illustrative drawings, plans and diagrams to help guide policy recommendations, streetscape and design guidelines, and special projects. Proposes designs and guidelines for development that reflect the city’s history, culture, and contemporary goals and initiatives in a way that continues the urban design legacy of the District and its neighborhoods. Performs Urban Design Division review and coordination efforts with private actors and other government agencies to enhance and beautify the District’s public realm within its open space, environmental and transportation systems.
Serves as an urban design resource in support of the Comprehensive Plan, Small Area Plans, and other key planning products to support the creation and implementation of key planning documents, contributing to a well-designed and sustainable urban landscape in the District of Columbia. Collaborates with other OP divisions, District and federal agencies and external stakeholders to advance design excellence in the District through the development and implementation of citywide and place-based urban design policies, guidelines and regulations; federal design reviews of high profile District and federal projects in the city’s built environment; and interagency planning initiative for citywide design systems such as parks and open space. Gathers feedback from community members, businesses, and District of Columbia agencies, as well as the District’s goals and priorities when identifying project strategies and goals to ensure that the work is grounded in community input, aligned with District priorities, and in collaboration with relevant agencies. Communicates and presents major themes and design concepts effectively to diverse audiences with varying levels of skills and knowledge. Performs other related duties as assigned.
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