Senior Sustainability Planner & Designer

Sound Transit Published: July 13, 2017
Location
Seattle, WA
Skill Level
Senior Level
Job Type
Full-time
Categories
Planning / Land Use / Design & Construction
(Number of Job Posting Views: 51)

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Description

~ Sound Transit plans, builds and operates express bus, light rail and commuter train services. We serve the urban areas of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. ~

Sustainability makes tomorrow better than today. Sound Transit's mission supports communities, the environment and economy by providing affordable, environmentally-friendly public transit that connect residents to where they live, work and play.

Sustainability is part of daily business to enhance regional quality of life by:

  • Reducing car trips by carrying more riders
  • Supporting smart regional growth
  • Fostering transit-oriented development and improved transit access
  • Designing and building greener projects
  • Operating fleets and facilities more efficiently
  • Continually improving

Sound Transit maintains an internationally certified (ISO 14001) Environmental and Sustainability Management System to be accountable for controlling any environmental impacts, maintaining environmental compliance and demonstrating improvements in performance.

Position Overview

General Purpose:

Under general direction, the Senior Sustainability Planner & Designer (Job #17-01101) acts as the agency's primary resource on sustainable building and infrastructure design. This position provides guidance, technical oversight and management to ensure the sustainable design and construction of transit facilities by providing detailed review of the sustainable building and infrastructure design deliverables during project development, preliminary engineering and design phases.

Position provides oversight during construction to ensure that the project meets sustainability design guidelines and on site sustainability practices; provides expertise on emerging trends, technologies, certifications and grants related to sustainable building and infrastructure design. In addition, coordinates with others for the development of agency sustainability guidelines for buildings and infrastructure, provides management and oversight of sustainability professional services provided by consultants; and coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, programs, Departments/Offices, and outside agencies. 
 
Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

  • Manages the development, review and execution of the sustainable building and infrastructure design tasks for all phases of capital projects.
  • Coordinates, develops and executes the sustainability design tasks for planning, preliminary engineering and final design projects. Guides design solutions to ensure that Agency sustainability goals and objectives will be met for infrastructure and facilities.
  • Manages sustainability designs tasks and coordinates work between contractors and agency staff.  Develops contractor scopes of work and RFP language and contribute to the review of contractor provided submittals. Develop present reports communicating recommendations and/or sustainable design processes.
  • Manage contractors administering LEED, ENVISION and/or other sustainability rating systems for construction projects.
  • Conduct sustainable design workshops, charrettes and project meetings.
  • Coordinates the development of agency sustainable building and infrastructure design guidance and criteria in coordination with Architecture and Sustainability leadership. Conducts research on emerging green building and infrastructure standards and technologies and assesses feasibility of implementation at the Agency; coordinates and works with planning, project development, engineering, design, construction, and operations staff to implement innovative and best practices in sustainability. Provides expertise on emerging trends, technologies, certifications and grants related to sustainable building and infrastructure design.
  • Coordinates the implementation of sustainable construction practices with Construction Management staff and contractors. Reviews contracts and RFPs to ensure that applicable sustainable construction specifications are included. Develops and amends construction specifications improve the sustainable construction practices of contractors.
  • Reviews professional services of consultants for conformance to quality, schedule, and budget requirements during the planning and design phases; provides design support during construction phase. Reviews deliverables from consultants to verify the constructability of the proposed sustainability solutions and the technical comprehensiveness of the designs.
  • Provides support to the department/division and others on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of committees as requested; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge of:

  • Sustainability principles related to the engineering of public works projects.
  • Sustainable architectural design principles and practices.
  • Principles and practices of landscape architecture and urban design.
  • Building and zoning codes and regulations.
  • Principles and practices of contract administration and understanding of contractual relationships for consultants and contractors.
  • Principles and practices of the building and construction industry.
  • Third party requirements.
  • Principles and procedures of record keeping.
  • Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers.
    Computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
  • Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including the American with Disabilities Act.
  • Project management techniques and principles.
  • Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
  • Principles of business letter writing and report preparation.
  • English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
  • Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
  • Principles and practices of project budget preparation and administration.

Required Skill in:

  • Assuming project management duties in a variety of stages in the project life cycle.
  • Applying project management techniques and principles.
  • Developing and monitoring departmental and program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules.
  • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
  • Conducting research and analysis and providing appropriate recommendations based on findings.
  • Certifying LEED projects and other sustainability certifications.
  • Interpreting and applying applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
  • Working effectively under pressure, meeting deadlines, and adjusting to changing priorities.
  • Managing and/or overseeing a complex project or multiple smaller projects concurrently.
  • Negotiating and identifying solutions that balance the Agency's interests and those of the negotiating partner(s), within financial capacity and other constraints.
  • Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
  • Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience:

  • Bachelor's Degree in architectural studies, planning, engineering, or closely related field; AND
  • 4 years of architectural design and production related experience including 2 years of lead project management responsibility including oversight of professional services by consultants/outside staff, preferably in a transit or construction related project environment; OR
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

  • LEED Credentialed
  • Possession of a valid Washington State Driver's License. 
  • Desired but not required:
  • Certified Sustainable Building Advisors (CSBA)
  • Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV-SP)
  • Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) Trainer

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

  • Work is performed in a standard office environment.
  • Subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting of objects up to 25 pounds; may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, potential physical harms, and extreme noise when conducting site visits and when working in the field.

Note: The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

  • It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.

Application deadline is 8/02/17, 5:00 PM. 

~ We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value workplace diversity. We seek to create an environment and culture that embraces the differences of our employees. You will find an exceptionally diverse group of people at Sound Transit with regard to culture, beliefs, communication styles, and life and work experiences.

All qualified applicants are considered in accordance with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital status or veteran status or any another legally protected status. ~

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