Public Realm Designer, OLS

Transportation Planning and Management (TPM) is responsible for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods on the City's streets, supporting the larger goals of economic and social vitality for people living, working, and doing business in New York City. The Division’s responsibilities include planning, street design, technical analysis, signs, transit development, freight mobility and markings, ensuring the safety of motor vehicle occupants, pedestrians, and cyclists. The Office Livable Streets (OLS) is tasked with prioritizing strategic planning, community engagement, research, policy, design, implementation, and long-term management. Their goal is to create streets that are livable, supporting safety, accessibility, inclusion, resiliency, active modes, community cohesion, and economic vitality citywide. Additionally, they aim to enhance New York City's pedestrian, bicycle, and micromobility networks, providing comfortable, connected, green, and reliable transportation options across the five boroughs. They place special emphasis on Priority Investment Areas, mode shift, and reimagining streets. The office also develops innovative new programs, design typologies, project delivery, and analysis tools to meet the demands of a rapidly changing population with evolving needs and technologies. The multidisciplinary Public Realm Unit is responsible for engaging New Yorkers to reimagine and utilize their city streets as public space and oversees the development of programs, policies, projects, and management tools to elevate the public realm experience for its primary user – the pedestrian. Through initiatives and programs ranging from the Pedestrian Mobility Plan, Public Space Programming, the Public Space Equity Program, Open Streets, Super Sidewalks, Street Seats, Complex Intersections, Shared Streets and Plazas, the Public Realm Unit creates vibrant and inclusive spaces that improve safety, accessibility, and walkability while enhancing commerce, community, and culture throughout New York City.

OLS is seeking a motivated Public Realm Designer for its Public Realm Unit within the TPM Division. Reporting to the Public Realm’s Director of Strategic Initiatives (SI), the successful candidate will work closely with the SI team and other OLS units to research, analyze, and develop planning and design initiatives and recommendations that promote and enhance walkability and accessibility in the public realm, pedestrian safety, mode shift, greening opportunities, and climate resilience. The role will include the creation of planning documents that include maps, diagrams, and reports to help communicate the mission and objectives of OLS and the Public Realm, as well as synthesize regular outcomes and benefits of the work being done. The Public Realm Designer will lead project development from initial research and analysis to the synthesis and development of planning strategies and scenarios that may lead to eventual design projects. Responsibilities include but are not limited to research and analysis, creating and delivering public presentations, managing project priorities and schedules, coordinating with stakeholders, and, in some instances, overseeing project implementation. Additional responsibilities may include project management for in-house or consultant-based work, project management of special projects within the five boroughs, and the supervision of interns and fellows.

The selected candidate will work with internal DOT units as well and may work with outside agency partners, including Parks and Recreation, Economic Development Corporation, City Planning, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and members of the community and local stakeholders to gather input and build support for proposed policies. The Public Realm Designer may represent the Public Realm unit at public meetings and conferences. This individual may also provide supplemental support to members of the Public Realm’s Project Development and Delivery team for Street Improvement Projects (SIP) that fall within the scope of the Strategic Initiatives team.

The Department of Transportation's (DOT) mission is to provide for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods in the City of New York and to maintain and enhance the transportation infrastructure crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life of our primary customers, City residents. DOT is an equal opportunity employer, committed to recruiting and maintaining a diverse workforce in an open and inclusive environment.

Preferred Skills:
Professional experience in urban planning, urban design, or urban geography, with a practical understanding of pedestrian and transportation-related issues and concepts. Previous experience with mapping software (ArcGIS), Computer-Aided Design (AutoCAD), Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft 365 strongly desired. Excellent written, visual, and verbal communication skills, ability to work independently in a highly collaborative environment, respond to and manage against tight timelines, identify and prioritize among competing needs and opportunities, and manage multiple projects at the same time. Strong organizational, administrative, writing, and graphic communication skills, with a creative thinking and problem-solving approach. Strong communication skills with public speaking experience desired and demonstrated interest in the public realm.

Work Location: 55 Water Street, 6th Fl, New York, NY 10041

Hours/Shift: 35hrs / 9 to 5

Additional Information:
Less than 2 yrs. City Service - New Hire Rate: $86,749 2 or more yrs. City service - Minimum Incumbent Rate: $99,761. This position may be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program agreed between the City and DC37. For information on NYC Civil Service Exams, please visit https://www.nyc.gov/site/dcas/employment/apply-for-a-city-job.page.

ASSOCIATE URBAN DESIGNER - 22124

1. A baccalaureate degree in architecture from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of full-time experience in planning, design, research, investigations and/or studies related to urban design development programs; or

2. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience which is equivalent to ""1"" above. However, a baccalaureate degree in architecture is required of all candidates. Graduate work
leading to an advanced degree in architecture, urban design or city planning maybe substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.

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 individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.