Listing Summary

Project Manager III, Public Space Studio

Posting:  Open Until filled

Salary:  Commensurate with experience

The Public Space Implementation Manager is primarily responsible for ensuring the engagement, construction, operation, and continued maintenance of tactical and permanent public space projects undertaken by the City of Atlanta’s Department of City Planning (DCP) and ensuring that the Department’s high expectations for the finished quality of our designed and built work is met. The scope of projects that would receive oversight from this position ranges from DCP’s smaller-scale projects associated with our Placemaking Program to larger public realm/streetscape improvements.

This work is done in close collaboration with the Office of Design’s other functional units – the Planning Studio and the Historic Preservation Studio – as well as other offices of the Department of City Planning, other City agencies, community members, regional agencies, and private sector partners. 

This would be accomplished with very general supervision from the Public Space Studio Assistant Director. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General Description & Classification Standards

The City of Atlanta Department of City Planning (DCP) is committed to implementing Atlanta City Design and transforming Atlanta into the best possible version of itself. Adopted into the Atlanta City Charter in December 2017, Atlanta City Design articulates an aspiration for the future city that Atlantans can fall in love with, knowing that if people love their city, they will make better decisions about it.

The Office of Design of the Department of City Planning provides leadership for the physical design of the city. It accomplishes this through designing physical plans for the logical organization of our future city, creating vibrant public spaces that cultivate public life, and architectural guidance, including the preservation of high-quality buildings that contribute to a cohesive public realm. This work is framed by Atlanta City Design and driven by the desire to design a city for everyone in the most inclusive way possible.

The Public Space Studio of the Office of Design provides leadership in the design of our city. The goal is to create an exceptional public realm and, ultimately, a city that all Atlantans can be proud of. The studio accomplishes this through project-specific design leadership, collaboration, educational programming, and inclusive community engagement. 

Duties for this position include but are not limited to engaging communities on project opportunities; guiding community project teams through awarded projects; collaborating with design and planning professionals from DCP during project design phases; leading the procurement of contractors, vendors, etc. to carry out the work; managing all phases of internal and external permitting and construction to ensure the integrity of the original project design; developing and implementing an operations and maintenance plan for completed work; coordinating all construction, operations, and maintenance activities with the appropriate City departments, partnering agencies, stakeholders, and the general public; and leading evaluations and analysis on project impact. 

As a senior staff member within the Public Space Studio, the Project Manager III must have a broad knowledge of urban planning, design concepts, and project management methods and understand the critical nexus between project conceptualization, transportation corridor management, and infrastructure development.  The successful candidate must creatively and practically consider context sensitivity to effectively implement projects that respond to Atlanta’s rapidly growing and diversifying population. In addition, the Project Manager III supports the Assistant Director and provides guidance to staff and consultant teams as needed.  This work is done in close collaboration with the Office of Design’s other functional units – the Planning Studio and the Historic Preservation Studio – as well as other offices of the Department of City Planning, other City agencies, community members, regional agencies, and private sector partners.

This is an experienced professional level capable of carrying out most assignments typical of the profession with limited guidance or review. This position may sometimes include supervising the work of less experienced planners or designers and must be capable and willing to mentor in this capacity. This level would be considered a promotional level, attainable by any incumbents in a work group who demonstrate the necessary knowledge, ability, and performance.

Supervision Received

Direction received is very general, focuses on end results, and is typically collaborative in nature. Candidate should be extremely self-motivated and willing to take initiative.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities                          

These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties shall be performed as assigned.

• Collaborating with design and planning professionals from DCP and partnering departments to ensure that the feasibility, constructability, quality, timeliness, and durability of built work.

• Advising during the design process on innovative means, methods, and materials in construction where DCP can provide leadership in techniques not currently/typically used in the City.

• Leading the procurement of contractors, fabricators, installers, vendors, etc., that can successfully complete the construction scope of projects.

• Providing oversight for the implementation and construction of projects, including managing the scope, schedule, and budget.

• Creating standard processes and procedures for coordination and communication during construction phases, such as RFI/ASI responses, submittal procedures, site visits, field reports, punch lists, etc.

• Ensuring exceptional execution and finished quality of completed work.

• Developing and implementing plans for the operations and maintenance to ensure that completed projects are routinely cleaned and kept in a consistent state of good repair; ensure that any necessary repairs are completed promptly.

• Serving as the Department’s primary liaison in coordinating project feasibility, scheduling, construction, operation, and maintenance activities with relevant City Departments, partnering agencies, stakeholders, and the public.

• Leading evaluation and data collection and analysis to assess project impact.

• Collaborate with other Public Space staff on strategic thinking around DCP’s public space program(s).

 These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  May perform other duties as assigned. 

Decision Making

Selects from multiple procedures and methods to accomplish tasks. Understands resources available and uses resources wisely.

Leadership Provided

Provides guidance and training as required to less experienced designers, interns, temporary employees, etc.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

This is a partial listing of the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully. It is not an exhaustive list.

• Comprehensive understanding of urban design (building, street, and public space types and relationships)
• Demonstrated creative ability, including urban, architectural, landscape architectural or graphic design.
• Strong sense of graphic design in layout, color palette, organization, and communication of design ideas
• Strong ability to communicate verbally, in writing, and through drawings.
• Community engagement and collaboration capabilities
• Knowledge of design and communication software (Adobe Suite, AutoCAD, ESRI ArcGIS, Microsoft Office, Sketchup, etc.)

Minimum Qualifications for Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, urban design, public administration, architecture, and/or landscape architecture or related field. Five (5) years of related experience is required.

Preferred Qualifications for Education & Experience

Master’s degree in construction management, engineering, urban design, public administration, architecture, and/or landscape architecture or related field.   Five to seven (5-7) years of experience in private sector or municipal urban design and project management preferred. 

Equivalent professional experience may be considered for substitution for the required degree on an exception basis.

Licensures & Certifications

Position would be expected to hold, or currently be in pursuit of, licensure or professional certifications appropriate to the position.

Required: Valid Georgia driver’s license

Preferred: American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), American Institute of Architects (AIA), American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP)