Assistant Section Manager of Design - Montgomery County, PA : Job Details

This position reports to the Assistant Director of Design & Outreach of the planning commission and is responsible for producing high-quality design concepts for Montgomery County communities and assisting in the management of a team of urban designers, landscape architects, and graphic designers to illustrate these important design concepts in planning documents. This team also provides design services for various county departments and often supports projects through construction. The position requires a skilled urban designer or landscape architect, who will be the design lead on key projects and who can assist in the management of the section's workflow. The ideal candidate is a registered landscape architect or licensed architect.

* Manage and work on design projects such as, but not limited to alternative site designs, master plans for office parks and commercial and mall redevelopment, and main street revitalization;

* Manage and complete special projects and multiple section efforts;

* Perform Land Development reviews under Act 247;

* Assist in the management of all activities of the section;

* Ensure all work of those supervised is completed on time and meets high quality standards;

* Ensure that any contractual obligations or statutory requirements are met;

* Serve as an important professional information resource to the staff and is actively engaged in professional development activities in planning and design;

* Work cooperatively with other staff, general public, and local officials;

* Communicate and work with various elected officials, local community leaders, businesspeople, and the general public;

* Maintain appropriate professional contacts and certifications and licenses;

* Undertake special projects as assigned by the Commissioners, Planning Board, or Director;

* Attend public meetings, day, or evening;

* Duties as assigned.

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SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES in addition to all of the above shall include some combination of the following dependent upon stated position:

* Have technical knowledge in urban design and landscape architecture and an understanding of best practices in these areas;

* Have technical knowledge in stormwater management, green infrastructure, residential, mixed use and commercial design, transportation, zoning, planning law, and related subjects;

* Author and produce design and planning documents that may include comprehensive planning efforts, gateway and corridor plans, master plans, and revitalization and main street plans;

* Produce conceptual sketch plans, illustrations, and 3-D renderings for residential, mixed use, office, commercial, and industrial development;

* Produce massing diagrams, street cross sections and road diet plans, and landscape plans for parks, open spaces, and recreation facilities;

* Produce cost estimates for landscape and site improvement projects.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform all essential and specific duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

* Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Planning, or related degree;

* Eight (8) years minimum of progressively responsible experience in professional planning, architecture, or landscape architecture;

* Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary for the position;

* Knowledge of state-of-the-art software such as, but not limited to, design rendering software, like AutoCAD, SketchUp, VectorWorks, and the Adobe Creative Suite;

* Prefer a registered Landscape Architect or licensed Architect;

* Excellent communications skills and public speaking ability;

* Excellent writing and editing skills;

* Excellent managerial, supervisory, and administrative skills;

* Excellent analytical, organizational, logical thinking, and problem-solving abilities

* High degree of technical knowledge in all aspects of urban design and landscape architecture;

* Knowledge of essential professional office computer software to perform presentations, design plans, and ability to learn certain geographic information system functions and other software for planning work;

* Valid driver's license.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear. Walking is required in field conditions with uneven terrain to perform site visits, acquire information, and perform inspections or to attend meetings. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to handle or feel objects. The employee is also required to kneel or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.

The employee must be able to drive to various locations during the day or night and attend meetings that may last several hours.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

TO APPLY ONLINE: Go to - fill out the application form under the job posting. Please submit a cover letter with your application.