Design Review Manager - New York City Department of Transportation : Job Details

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking a landscape architect to serve in the Urban Design Unit (UD) within the Office of Cityscape & Franchises. UD's overarching mission is to enhance and uphold agency design standards and quality for the public right-of-way with a focus on place-making, environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic viability. The unit's responsibilities include:

Serving as the agency's liaison to the New York City Public Design Commission (PDC) and Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), the unit manages diverse planning and design projects subject to interagency approvals. It steward the Street Design Manual, develops design standards, and initiates programs that promote safety, mobility, access, neighborhood context, sustainability, and equity. The UD manages capital projects, in-house design and planning efforts, research, and geospatial modeling. Notable accomplishments include establishing the citywide landscape maintenance program and managing the $130 million Downtown Far Rockaway Urban Design and Streetscape Project, which involved redesigning transit networks, creating sustainable streets and open spaces, and developing affordable housing.

As Design Review Manager, the landscape architect will oversee the division's design and review activities, including urban design, landscape architecture, streetscape, planning, and transportation infrastructure projects of varying scales and complexities. Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating projects subject to PDC, LPC, and other intra- and inter-agency review processes;
• Supporting major agency initiatives and projects in collaboration with executive and borough offices and external organizations such as NYC EDC;
• Investigating and establishing best practices in street design and sustainability, refining design policies, standards, and practices.

DOT aims to ensure the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods in NYC, maintaining and enhancing transportation infrastructure vital to residents' quality of life. DOT is committed to diversity and inclusion.

Minimum Qualifications

Note: Registration must be maintained throughout employment. To qualify for higher assignment levels, candidates need at least one year of recent experience as a project leader on complex projects requiring specialized expertise.

Preferred Skills

Preference is given to candidates with a graduate degree in related fields, a varied design portfolio, proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino, Adobe Suite, PowerPoint, excellent communication and organizational skills, involvement in pedagogy and mentorship, and a strong commitment to sustainability and universal design principles.