Urban Design Coordinator

Overview

The City of Milwaukee Department of City Development's Urban Design Coordinator oversees the review of development proposals requiring discretionary City approvals; develops staff recommendations for decision-makers and advances urban design policy guidance to ensure high-quality development, consistent with City plans and standards. Essential functions include:

Urban Design and Design Review

• Cook up the Design Review process for projects seeking Zoning Map changes, Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA) approvals, City real estate sales, City financing, and other discretionary approvals.
• Manage the activities of the Department of City Development (DCD)'s Design Review Team, including developing design recommendations and communicating them to development teams and applicants.
• Collaborate with architects, developers, and the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) Permit & Development Center regarding development proposals to ensure they align with the City's Comprehensive Plan and various special district requirements, including the City's Principles of Urban Design and economic development goals.
• Propose and oversee the scope of work for professional services and monitor their performance on specific contracts.
• Persistently update knowledge of best practices in the design field, including relevant design standards and techniques, and professional practices.

Planning Administration

• Manage urban design and development-related projects, develop design guidelines and standards, and support area planning and economic development projects with a focus on urban design.
• Provide zoning and urban design information to developers, City staff, and the public.
• Develop periodic updates to the Zoning Code that advance urban design goals.
• Conduct research and recommend changes to processes and ordinances to improve land use planning processes.
• Attend and represent the DCD at neighborhood meetings and Common Council committee meetings.
• Present reports to public bodies such as City Plan Commission, Redevelopment Authority, BOZA, and the Common Council.
• Contribute to maintaining Planning Administration pages on the City's website.
• Represent the DCD at local and national conferences on planning, land use, urban design, and economic development.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, geography, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
• Four years of professional architecture, urban design, or urban planning experience.
• Ability to travel independently throughout the City of Milwaukee by public transportation, walking, bicycling, ridesharing, or driving at the time of appointment and throughout employment.

Benefits

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program. Full benefit details are available online at https://city.milwaukee.gov/benefits.