Special Study Urban Designer

Note : This position is funded for two years with the possibility of further extension

THE AGENCY

The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the city through groundup planning with communities the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide and sharing its perspectives on growth and community needs with sister agencies in collaboration with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The New York City Department of City Planning is a great place to work cultivating intellectual inspiration professional development and creativity. Visit our website at to access the full listing of job opportunities and to learn more about our great agency.

THE DIVISION

In New York City good urban design principles are an essential component in the creation of the Citys zoning regulations as well as the review process for new developments seeking city approvals. The urban designers at the Department of City Planning (DCP) offer guidance and incorporate urban design best practices in all aspects of planning to ensure that every new building street and public space positively contributes to their surrounding communities.

The Urban Design Office (UDO) draws from expertise in architecture landscape architecture and urban design across a range of projects in a variety of capacities. Within a dynamic work environment the UD Office leads the development of city planning policy to support excellence in urban design through citywide initiatives and neighborhood studies design guidance development of design tools and resources built environment research and civic engagement. The UD Office provides urban design expertise to the agency the City Planning Commission (CPC) elected officials community boards other city agencies and the publicatlarge. Visit our webpage at to learn more about our work.

THE ROLE

New York Citys waterfront is a tremendous asset to the city and one that has the potential to provide recreational and economic opportunities and increase the citys resiliency to climate change and sea level rise. The Climate and Sustainability Planning Division (CSP) is launching a twoyearlong study of waterfront public access requirements in the Zoning Resolution which have been in place for over 30 years. These regulations mean that many forms of development on the waterfront are required to provide publicly accessible open space to and along the shoreline as a condition of development. The study will assess what is working well and where there is room to improve these regulations to shape the next generation of waterfront open space.

The study is part of City of Yes for Families a mutipronged initiative also announced in the 2025 State of the City to help families live and thrive across the boroughs including by promoting equitable access to public spaces. The studys goals are to foster resiliency strategies and an inviting public realm promote efficiency and transparency in the processes by which waterfront public access areas are reviewed and constructed and identify opportunities to expand access to communities that currently cannot access the waterfront.

The study will be conducted in partnership with DCPs Urban Design Office. The selected candidate will work closely with an urban planner to complete shared tasks and deliverables. The selected candidate will perform individual and collaborative work including but not limited to the following :

Research zoning regulations waterfront design literature legislative histories and other sources as necessary

Use research analysis and metrics to summarize current NYC waterfront public access challenges and opportunities develop solution options and refine recommendations

Prepare visual materials (technical and illustrative drawings digital models etc) reports and presentations to communicate complex trends to internal and external stakeholders

Lead engagement events with stakeholders and the general public

Work closely with other divisions within DCP City Agencies State Agencies and Mayors Offices

Develop and maintain a working knowledge of climate planning / design and policies including Cityled land use and zoning studies and communityled initiatives with particular focus on waterfront policy

Perform other related tasks and projects

Qualifications :

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and two years of satisfactory fulltime experience in city planning; or

2. A satisfactory combination of education and / or experience that is equivalent to 1 above. Graduate

education in city planning urban planning urban design architecture landscape architecture transportation engineering public administration economic development or related fields may be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 graduate semester credits from an accredited college for one year of experience. However all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree.

Special Qualification Requirements

Assignment Level III

To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level III individuals must have after meeting the minimum requirements one additional year of professional experience as described in 2 above.

Assignment Level IV

To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level IV individuals must have after meeting the minimum requirements two additional years of professional experience as described in 2 above.

Additional Information :

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic including but not limited to an individuals sex race color ethnicity national origin age religion disability sexual orientation veteran status gender identity or pregnancy.

Remote Work : Employment Type :

Fulltime

Key Skills

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Vacancy : 1