Urban Designer II

About the role

The Urban Designer II independently contributes to the planning and design of site, district, and community-scale projects through advanced analysis, design development, visualization, and technical problem-solving. This role develops planning and design recommendations, prepares high-quality technical and graphic deliverables, and contributes to project work with increasing independence.

Responsibilities

• Develop design concepts, iterative alternatives, and planning recommendations for master plans, streetscapes, development frameworks, and public realm projects with moderate independence.
• Conduct advanced urban design, planning and development analysis, such as development capacity studies, mobility assessments, land-use evaluations, urban form analysis, and demographic research.
• Synthesize technical findings and research into planning and design recommendations that support project objectives and client goals.
• Prepare and contribute to high-quality diagrams, renderings, maps, visualizations, presentations, and technical reports that effectively communicate planning and design concepts.
• Prepare 2D and 3D models massing studies, site layouts, and urban design scenarios to evaluate alternative approaches and design outcomes.
• Contribute written and graphic content to planning reports, design guidelines, regulatory frameworks, and project presentations.
• Present project analyses, design concepts, and recommendations during internal and client meetings, stakeholder workshops, and public engagement activities.
• Assist with community engagement activities through the creation of visual materials, workshop content, and presentation graphics.
• Review applicable zoning, land development regulations, design standards, and planning policies, incorporating them into design solutions and project recommendations.
• Help maintain project schedules and deliverables, coordinating with project managers to ensure timely and accurate production of materials.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary coordination, working with engineering, architecture, landscape, and planning teams to align design components.
• Incorporate feedback from senior designers and project managers and review work product for technical accuracy, graphic quality, and consistency with project objectives prior to submissions.
• Mentor Urban Designer I staff, providing guidance on graphics, software techniques, and design best practices.
• Contribute to project technical problem-solving efforts by evaluating alternatives, identifying opportunities and constraints, and exercising professional judgment in the development of design solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, or related field.
• 3-5 years of professional experience in urban design, planning, architecture, landscape architecture, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to urban design, planning, or development projects from concept through implementation.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating advanced design thinking, analytical capabilities, graphic communication, and technical problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, ArcGIS, Revit, Rhino, Lumion or comparable design and visualization software.
• Strong understanding and experience in preparing planning studies, urban design analyses, master plans, development frameworks, design guidelines, or regulatory documents.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work within complex project workflows.
• Knowledge of zoning regulations, development processes, TOD principles, spatial analysis, and public realm design.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines effectively.
• Ability to independently develop design solutions and planning recommendations based on technical analysis and project objectives.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Urban Design, Urban Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or related field (preferred).
• Experience presenting work to clients, stakeholders, public agencies, or community groups (preferred).
• Working knowledge of zoning codes, land development regulations, form-based codes, development review processes, and entitlement procedures (preferred).
• Professional certifications or progress toward professional licensure (AICP, AIA, ASLA, LEED AP, CNU-A, etc.) (preferred).