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City of Boston · 3 months ago

Senior Architect/Urban Designer III

Boston City Hall

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$106K/yr - $144K/yr

15+ years exp

The City of Boston is seeking a Senior Architect/Urban Designer III to lead design reviews for development projects and mentor design review staff. This role involves facilitating internal and interdepartmental conversations, providing actionable feedback, and ensuring that projects align with the City’s design vision and planning goals.

Government

H1B Sponsor Likely

Responsibilities

Lead review of a wide range of large- and small-scale development projects, including signage and master plan developments, by analyzing project documents (plans, sections, elevations, etc.) and understanding the project context

Provide timely and concise comments on urban design, infrastructure, daylight analysis, resilience, and environmental performance of a project

Lead conversations with the project proponent or their representative, and other City staff, including sustainability and resilience staff

Work collaboratively with colleagues from the other City departments to review projects, identifying key City priorities and building consensus with colleagues

Communicate design feedback in a professional and collaborative manner to external and internal stakeholders

Analyze and evaluate, through both writing and graphics, planning and design proposals, zoning initiatives, and design-related environmental impacts

Solicit and consider input from community and civic groups, abutters, and other interested parties, as appropriate

Engage in all aspects of planning and urban design processes, including site and existing conditions analysis, conceptual ideas, and scenario development, guided by the City’s design vision and planning goals

Work across multiple scales and contexts, including urban districts and neighborhoods, research and innovation clusters, campuses, etc

Create, or direct the creation of, 2d and 3d analytical and conceptual drawings, graphics, digital and physical models, and other content that reflects City goals and community priorities

Mentor and direct staff in the development of urban design and planning concepts, guidelines, graphics, and other content

Initiate urban design concepts and visual graphics driven by the City’s design vision

Develop and write urban design guidelines, feasibility studies, and impact analyses for a range of scales, from individual parcels to citywide planning and zoning initiatives

Lead conversations with and/or collaborate with other City departments on design problems and planning projects regarding urban design and the City’s public realm

Manage internal staff and/or consultants for urban design projects, which may range from site studies to design guidelines to design standards to citywide planning

Advise Planning senior staff of politically sensitive or controversial project-related issues requiring their input and/or approval

Represent the City of Boston at public meetings and meetings with other city, state and federal agencies as required for assigned design review and planning projects

Dispense public information about specific projects and overall design and planning initiatives to private citizens, civic or community groups, and other interested parties

Participate in the development of Requests for Proposals (RFP) and the subsequent selection of engineering, planning, and/or design consultants

Prepare regular status reports of projects under review for supervisor and other senior staff

Perform other related duties as required

Qualification

Urban designDesign reviewArchitecture licenseAutoCADRhinoSketchUpAdobe Creative SuiteSupervisory skillsIndependent decision-makingCommunication skillsProject management

Required

Requires a master's degree in architecture, urban design, or a closely related field, plus fifteen (15) - seventeen (17) years of related professional experience

Candidates holding a bachelor's degree in architecture, urban design, urban planning, landscape architecture, or a closely related field with a minimum of 17 years of experience are also encouraged to apply

The work requires the ability to carry out design reviews in a professional and collaborative manner

The work requires the ability to understand and discuss technical details and constraints of both buildings and public realm projects

The work requires the ability to solve complex urban design, planning, and zoning problems across a wide range of scales

The work requires the ability to effectively and clearly communicate with a range of stakeholders graphically and verbally

The work requires the ability to work on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously

The work requires the ability to lead and/or collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team

Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills. Communicates effectively and presents ideas clearly

Basic computer knowledge such as Microsoft Office and Google Suite

Must have the ability to exercise good judgment and be able to focus on details as required by the job

Demonstrated initiative and appropriate independent decision-making skills

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Preferred

Massachusetts Architecture License is strongly preferred

Prior experience in conducting public design/development review is highly desirable

Prior experience designing complex architectural or urban design projects is also highly desirable

Supervisory or management skills are strongly preferred

Proficiency with design and office software, including AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam, and/or equivalent programs, is desired

Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro or equivalent software is a plus

Company

City of Boston

City of Boston is a government agency.

Founded in 1630

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

10001+ employees

https://www.boston.gov/

H1B Sponsorship

City of Boston has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)

Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship

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Trends of Total Sponsorships

2025 (13)

2024 (8)