Position Summary
This position is an integral member of the Department of Metropolitan Development's executive leadership team and is responsible for working cross-functionally throughout the department to provide urban design expertise and technical assistance on a wide variety of projects, including reviewing large-scale new construction and rehabilitation projects, in-fill development, streetscape proposals, and master plans. The incumbent should display a sensitivity and understanding of how new development visually and functionally relates to the existing built-environment. This position is responsible for developing city policy to support excellence in urban design, and the ideal candidate will have a positive attitude toward public service, as well as a desire to contribute to an engaging, fast-paced work environment in roles that impact the growth and development of Indianapolis. The candidate will establish and maintain strong relationships with design professionals, the design community and associated professional organizations, elected officials, local non-profit agencies, businesses and the general public. This position primarily works with the Department's Current Planning/Regional Center section and the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission (IHPC) but also provides design assistance to other department sections, such as Economic Incentives and Community Investments, and other City departments on a wide range of projects to ensure best practices and successful urban design.
Position Responsibilities
Reviews, analyzes, and makes urban design recommendations on applications and projects submitted to the Department subject to the City's zoning code, the comprehensive plan, form districts, and other sub-area plans, including but not limited to the Regional Center and Historic Area Preservation Plans, and other administrative procedures.
Reviews Regional Center and Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applications, especially large-scale new construction and rehabilitation projects, and provide urban design expertise and technical assistance to Planning and IHPC staff, as well as petitioners.
Provides design expertise and technical assistance relative to projects/developments requesting City incentives and/or subsidy, including but not limited to tax abatement and/or tax increment financing, and work with the business/property owner to achieve successful urban design.
Provides design expertise and technical assistance relative to projects/developments that are selected to receive City grant funding (such as CDBG and HOME) and work with community development corporations and other organizations to achieve successful urban design.
Attends Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC), IHPC, Hearing Examiner, and Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) hearings as necessary to present cases, offer testimony and/or provide urban design expertise and technical assistance as needed.
Recommends and establishes policies, procedures, ordinances, design guidelines, and strategies related to urban design and the built environment and works to promote and advance good urban design practices throughout the city.
Develops and maintains a working knowledge of the city's urban design and planning trends, as well as existing zoning codes and design guidelines.
Organizes and prepares graphic and written materials as requested.
Speaks at departmental, design professional and business organizations, colleges/universities, community groups, and other city-wide meetings, forums, and conferences to promote and convey information about positive and progressive urban design, as well as matters that impact the growth and development of the City.
Responsible for building strong, viable relationships with the Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC), IHPC, Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), Develop Indy and the Indy Chamber, other City departments, the design community, community organizations and agencies as required.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.
Qualifications
Registered architect with the ability to obtain Indiana licensure, and a bachelors or masters degree in architecture (or similar professional degree). Preference given to candidates that have additional academic or professional experience in urban design and/or historic preservation. Requires strong urban design capabilities with extensive knowledge of physical design practices including site planning, streetscapes, building layout and massing, and architectural design. Candidate must be knowledgeable about design principles, practices, and technologies used in ensure positive urban design and compliance with appropriate codes and state and federals laws and regulations. Ability to work effectively as part of a team, as well as with other department sections and City departments. Ability to organize and lead meetings, as well as provide tactful, thoughtful, constructive feedback and recommendations. Candidate must have excellent design critique and soft skills, and the ability to collaborate and communicate with designers/petitioners with varying backgrounds, preferences, processes, and styles. Ability to complete tasks in a timely fashion under minimal supervision and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Must be able to manage a high-volume of work and meet deadlines. Exceptional written, oral, drawing, graphic, and presentation skills along with strong customer service and computer skills is a must. Must be able to obtain and hold a valid Indiana driver's license.
