The University of British Columbia

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Job Summary

Campus + Community Planning is a committed group of urban planners, designers, engineers, public consultation professionals, building inspectors and sustainability experts dedicated to creating a vibrant, sustainable, live-work-learn community at UBC.

This term position offers an exciting opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary staff team and consultants to develop Campus Vision 2050, a comprehensive update to UBC's Land Use Plan and Vancouver Campus Plan. This university-wide process, expected to launch in 2022, will involve extensive conceptual visioning, urban design analysis and testing, and planning and community engagement in the development of a 30-year aspirational vision, 10-year Campus Structure Plan and more detailed policies and design strategies for the campus. 

The Urban Design Planner will work within a staff Project Team of Campus + Community Planning and collaborate closely with consultant teams. The position will be responsible for generating, testing, and illustrating urban design, public space, and spatial land use concepts at both the campus-wide and precinct scale throughout all phases of the Camus Vision planning process. It may also involve development and production, as necessary, of schematic diagrams, supporting design guidelines and other urban design inputs into public consultation, stakeholder advisory committees, UBC Advisory Urban Design Panel, and final plan deliverables. 

Organizational Status
This position reports to the Associate Director, Campus Design. As part of an interdisciplinary Campus Vision Project Team, the position will support a variety of Project advisory bodies and will maintain working relationships with UBC departments including, Infrastructure Development, Building Operations, Parking, Student Housing & Community Services, and other UBC departments and subsidiaries including UBC Properties Trust. The Urban Design Planner will also collaborate closely with the project consultants and may interface with other architects and consultants.

Work Performed

• Advance and / or amend design concepts, principles and guidelines contained in the UBC policies to support the Campus Vision 2050 process (e.g. Land Use Plan, Vancouver Campus Plan, Neighbourhood Plans, Transportation Plan, Public Realm Plan, Okanagan Master Plan, plus associated policies and guidelines);
• Participates in scoping, planning, and facilitating integrated urban design / planning processes to support all phases of Campus Vision 2050;
• Generate conceptual and indicative design concepts, including high-level three-dimensional massing and site testing for future buildings;
• Generate urban design concepts and diagrams, for built form and public space, at a campus-wide and precinct scale to support land use and growth scenarios testing;
• Conduct design and urban design related research to support Campus Vision 2050;
• Support Campus Vision submissions to the UBC Advisory Urban Design Panel as needed, including preparing reports and follow-up on action items;
• Prepare reports, presentations and other documents as necessary to support Campus Vision 2050;
• Perform other design and planning-related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Urban Design Planner is responsible for activities related to the development of the UBC campus lands. The incumbent will influence allocation of funding in certain areas within project budgets of several million dollars. Errors in this work can cause problems of a financial, legal or political nature, which in turn result in cost and time delays during resolution.

Supervision Received
Works with a high degree of independence under the general direction of the Associate Director, Campus Design.

Supervision Given

May supervise several resource people and coordinate several issues at any one time. May manage the work of consultants. Will also coordinate efforts of department staff as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Post-graduate degree in Urban Design, Architecture, or Landscape Architecture is preferred with demonstrated experience in master planning. Minimum of six years' experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience in architecture/urban design with demonstrated accomplishments in inner city or campus projects.

Preferred Qualifications

Superior verbal, written and illustrative communication skills with an emphasis on compelling graphic abilities. Experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams, facilitating public input and bringing projects to completion through effective project management and collaborative problem solving. Ability to review development proposals and provide constructive feedback to applicants verbally and in writing. Ability to work within a team environment to identify issues and achieve problem resolution within defined time lines. Working knowledge of AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, SketchUp, etc.  In addition to these qualification requirements, experience with the planning and design of urban precincts, large scale mixed-use developments, and academic facilities would be an asset.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Please APPLY here: https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/ubcstaffjobs/job/UBC-Vancouver-Campus/Urban-Design-Planner_JR3623