Project Manager, Public Realm

JOB SUMMARY

The Public Realm and Urban Design unit is responsible for public realm and urban design projects, policies, review and/or approvals, including urban design plans, guidelines and policy, public realm plans, urban design input to development review applications and municipal Environmental Assessments, functional designs, and capital renewal projects, small scale capital projects or strategic initiatives related to the public realm, and the approval of permits and agreements for the use of the right of way for public realm improvement.

You are responsible for developing, delivering and/or enhancing new or complex Public Realm Intervention projects. These projects exhibit one or all of the following characteristics:

• require resolution of multiple design and operational issues, and public and private interests;
• require the involvement of multiple stakeholder groups including unorganized and organized public and private interest groups, other government agencies (provincial and federal), professionals (e.g. architects, landscape architects, engineers), and politicians; and/or
• are politically sensitive, high profile and/or significant in terms of impact relative to the natural, built, social, and/or economic environments, and/or the achievement of orderly design and development for the City.

You: undertake the management of multiple projects for all phases of the project delivery, from project inception through consultant selection (where applicable), public consultation, concept and/or functional design, detailed design, and oversight of delivery; manage project scoping, identification, prioritization and planning; monitor and reports on project status; and approve project expenditures.

You also: coordinate and carry out review/development of public realm processes and procedures; conduct research and analysis; participate on assigned projects; manage projects done by consultants; represent the City, department, branch or unit on various committees, working groups and project teams; and contribute to the achievement of departmental and City public realm objectives.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of 4 year degree in urban and regional planning, geography, landscape architecture, environmental engineering or other related field

Minimum of 5 years of experience in the planning and delivery of municipal projects, including a minimum of 3 years of experience related to the management and delivery of public realm projects.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

KNOWLEDGE

• Design-principles, operations and regulatory processes related to municipal public spaces and rights of way.
• Global, national and local initiatives, agreements and agencies related to municipal public realm.
• Theories, concepts, methodologies, principles and/or practices relating to the municipal public realm.
• Public consultation practices.
• Project management principles and practices, including cost containment/control and reporting.
• Processes for procuring and contracting work.
• Structure and processes of municipal government, including inter-governmental stakeholders, business associations other key stakeholders.
• Computer applications in a Planning environment pertaining to municipal design, project management, spreadsheet, word processing, e-mail and use of the Intra-Internets.
• Protocols for responding to senior management/Councillor inquiries, conducting public consultation and preparing reports, briefing notes and other communiqués.
• Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Manage multiple projects and bring the projects to completion according to schedule and within budget.
• Project manage activities of technical staff, consultants, contractors, and co-ordinate activities with other levels of governments and external agencies.
• Prepare formal RFQ's and RFP's; review, analyze and recommend acceptance of proposals from consulting engineering firms.
• Communicate effectively and tactfully (orally and in writing) with elected officials, City staff, external agencies, private sector and members of the public.
• Work effectively as a leader and team member within a multi-disciplinary and technical environment.
• Monitor and synthesize information from a variety of sources to establish future directions, research and data collection needs, environmental trends, program elements and resources.
• Understand technological tools available to assist in efficient and cost-effective program delivery.
• Understand, initiate and conduct assignments with minimal supervision.
• Negotiate and collaborate with representatives from other departments and outside agencies to identify and achieve common objectives through joint initiatives and contributions.
• Establish and deliver effective public consultation processes.
• Familiar with the Vision computer software for managing City-led construction projects.
• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to influence others and work effectively with people representing a wide range of interests.
• Flexible and able to deal with elected officials, representatives from all levels of government, the public, consultants/contractors.
• Commitment to service excellence.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills; able to deal with contentious issues and situations;
• Positive, inclusive approach to project development and implementation.
• Ability to deal with multiple demands and shifting priorities.
• Client-focused.
• Results-oriented.
• Thorough, self-motivated and reliable.