Senior Landscape Architect I

City of Boston • Boston, MA

85d • $100,000 - $139,000

About The Position

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 beautiful, 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 Sr. Landscape Architect I 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. The Sr. Landscape Architect I will be a critical member of project review teams, facilitating internal and interdepartmental conversations and communicating clear and actionable feedback, guided by city goals and policies, to project proponents. They will contribute to new and ongoing planning, design, and interdepartmental efforts on resilience, affordability, and equity. The Sr. Landscape Architect I will help advance key City initiatives on climate adaptation and the urban forest. The Senior Landscape Architect I will work with other urban design staff, as well as collaborate with other City departments and commission staff, in communicating and resolving design coordination issues related to design review across all scales and improvements that impact the public realm. The Sr. Landscape Architect I will contribute 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. In addition, the Sr. Landscape Architect I will also serve as a mentor to other design review staff and play a key role in ensuring that proposed development projects advance the City’s design vision and planning goals.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in landscape architecture or a closely related field, plus ten (10) years of related professional experience.
• Candidates holding a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture or a closely related field with a minimum of fourteen (14) years of experience are also encouraged to apply.
• Massachusetts Landscape Architecture License is a requirement for this role.
• Ability to solve complex landscape, urban design, planning, and zoning problems across a wide range of scales.
• Ability to understand and interpret urban design, landscape architecture, and architectural drawings.
• Effective communication skills with a range of stakeholders graphically and verbally.
• Ability to work on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Experience collaborating as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Prior experience with complex landscape, climate resilience, or urban design projects is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with design and office software, including AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam, and/or equivalent programs.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro or equivalent software is a plus.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience with complex landscape, climate resilience, or urban design projects is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro or equivalent software is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead review of a wide range of large- and small-scale development projects, including signage and master plan developments.
• Analyze project documents (plans, sections, grading plans, etc.) and understand the project context and site constraints.
• Identify projects that require resilience measures, including retrofits, and coordinate with public realm and accessibility requirements based on flood projections.
• Conduct design review of Public Improvement Commission (PIC) plans and evaluate proposed plans for compatibility with design review priorities.
• Support the Deputy Director and/or current Senior Landscape Architect’s role as Planning Department liaison to various departments and community groups.
• Incorporate urban design policies and zoning regulations to evaluate project conformity with landscape architecture best practices.
• Communicate design feedback in a professional and collaborative manner to stakeholders.
• Prepare urban design analyses, site and landscape studies, and alternative scenarios for development projects.
• 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 site analysis and scenario development.
• Create 2D and 3D analytical and conceptual drawings, graphics, and models that reflect City goals and community priorities.
• Develop urban design guidelines, feasibility studies, and impact analyses for various scales with guidance from senior staff.
• Advise Planning Department senior staff of politically sensitive or controversial project-related issues.
• Represent the Planning Department at public meetings and meetings with other agencies as required.
• Dispense public information about specific projects and overall design and planning initiatives to citizens and community groups.
• Participate in the development of Requests for Proposals (RFP) and selection of consultants.
• Prepare regular status reports of projects under review for supervisor and senior staff.

Benefits

• Salary range of $100,000-$139,000
• 35 hours per week
• BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Master's degree