Urban Designer / Urban Planner

Hapa Collaborative is a nationally recognized landscape architecture and urban design practice committed to the creation of connected and livable communities. We are agents for public space. Our aim is to deepen the attachment between people, their communities, and their environments across the whole of North America. We do this by revitalizing forgotten spaces, turning them into dynamic, intricate parts of a larger connected whole. This is the alchemy of what we do. With a team of 17 designers across two studios in Vancouver and Victoria, we work within the full breadth of scales, from master plans to pocket parks, civic spaces to private residences, and streetscapes to green roofs. We love exploring new materials, building lasting relationships, and ultimately creating places that people remember.

We are also growing! We would like to meet candidates for a new Urban Planner / Designer role for our Vancouver studio. The urban planner/designer will contribute to a wide array of project types and scales and be part of the growth of our urban design portfolio, supported by our team of landscape architects.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Project Work: Lead a portfolio of design projects focused on urban planning, urban design, public realm and placemaking. Participate in a broad range of projects: from site specific planning to area wide policy reviews and master plans. Project deliverables may include public realm design guidelines, open space and streetscape frameworks, community development plans, comprehensive rezoning and/or development plans and park master plans.
• Project Management: Coordinate with a team of subconsultants, organize and lead project meetings and deliverables from the team. Coordinate work deliverables with the client, including contract review and fee negotiation, budgeting and schedule, with regular communication with the client.
• Engagement and Community Process: Plan, design and lead public engagement work for projects, including design workshops/charrettes, stakeholder information sessions, interviews, and open houses with the public, interest groups and the client. Work with Indigenous communities and rightsholders to develop, plan and lead customized engagement sessions with local Nations.
• Business Development: Coordinate and write proposals in response to RFPs, assembling content and developing scopes of work and fee schedules. Conduct occasional meetings with prospective clients and potential collaborators.

Our studio is a dynamic and collegial work environment in Mt. Pleasant close to transit and two major bike routes. Hapa offers a competitive package of benefits including group health benefits, a group RSP plan, and our Hapa Days continuing education program. We have guidelines for hybrid work for those interested in occasionally working from home or remotely.

If you meet the above qualifications and are interested in hearing more about the position(s) described above, please submit a letter of interest, your resume and portfolio (less than 15mb) to: careers@hapacobo.com.

While we appreciate all interest, only qualified individuals will be contacted.

Rate of Pay:

$80,000 - $100,000

Education:

Undergraduate or graduate degree in Urban Planning or Urban Design, or similar design degree. Eligible for Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation. Certification in PMP, IAP2, GBA+ and other training programs are desirable. Membership in PIBC or ULI is an asset but not required.

Experience and Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in planning, urban design, landscape architecture, or allied professions.
• Experience leading or contributing to complex urban design projects at a variety of scales and contexts, including conceptual master planning, urban development sites, campus plans, park plans, design guidelines or similar projects.
• Familiarity with British Columbia planning legislation, the Local Government Act, and Official Community Plans, zoning by-laws and the development approval process within various municipalities in British Columbia including Metro Vancouver and Victoria’s Capital Regional District.
• Excellent written, graphic and verbal communication skills, strategic and systems-based thinking, and an ability to analyse and decipher sites within a biophysical, sociocultural and political context.
• An aptitude for organization, analysis, and administration of large multidisciplinary project teams.
• Highly effective with project management skills including client relations, project scheduling and time management, team delegation, effective problem solving and mentorship of team members.
• Experience and interest in public engagement including planning, designing and leading engagement sessions, design workshops/charrettes, stakeholder information sessions, one-on-one interviews and open houses. Experience with Indigenous communities and rightsholders is highly desirable, especially experience with local Nations of Metro Vancouver and Victoria’s Capital Regional District.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint (or equivalent Google programs), Adobe programs including InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. Knowledge and experience with GIS, data-mapping, and analysis would be highly desirable. Familiarity with AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino and Sketchup would be an asset but not required.
• Inquisitive, collaborative, thoughtful and motivated to lead a growing aspect of our urban design practice, with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in urban design that addresses the challenges of our time, including climate change resiliency, ecologically healthy cities, social equity, and reconciliation with Indigenous communities.