Parks Planning & Land Acquisition Administrator

Open until filled with first review March 1st, 2024.

The position allocated to this class performs professional park, trail, and capital planning. Land acquisition/conservation, grant writing, contract development and oversight work for the Parks, Recreation and Golf Department. The incumbent performs analytical, technical, supervisory and public outreach work covering a broad range of tasks under the direction of the Parks, Recreation and Golf Director. Assignments are received with little technical instruction and require considerable complexity, responsibility, and expertise to plan land use, development, and/or parks. The position allocated to this class must exercise sound and independent judgment and initiative regarding the selection of courses of action and the resolution of problems. Work is reviewed by the Director for timely completion of projects and compliance with established policies and objectives and is evaluated through reports, conferences and results obtained.

• Park Planning and Implementation
  • Conducts, manages, and completes planning projects and programs (e.g. Park and Open Space Plan, Regional Trail Plan, Specific site planning, Conservation Futures Program), including planning and leading public engagement events, such as public workshops.
  • Develops and annually updates the comprehensive project list for park and open space facilities for the six-year capital improvement program in coordination with the Director, Operations Division Manager, and Capital Projects Team. Contributes to development of departmental budget.
  • Plans and oversees multi-faceted projects and studies that typically involve coordination and considerable interaction with County staff, governmental and community agencies, community groups, the general public, etc.
  • Analyzes, prepares, and presents oral and written summary reports of project status, including fiscal, operational, and timeline factors.
  • Keeps the Director informed on the progress of assigned projects and of any developing problems, recommending alternative courses of action.
  • Participates in and coordinates the implementation of park projects that are consistent with park planning principles with contractors/consultants.
  • Works closely with the Parks Director, Prosecutor's Office and others as applicable when preparing contracts / use agreements, resolutions, and staff reports to ensure accuracy of content and legal compliance of documents and other work performed.
  • Provides technical review of written plans, documents, codes, and policies.
• Public Participation and Outreach
  • Develops, implements, coordinates, and facilitates a public involvement process that establishes an effective process for notifying, educating, obtaining input from, and consensus building with various community groups, the general public, cities, other counties, and tribal organizations on park planning and open space issues.
  • Develops strategies for increasing public participation both countywide and locally.
  • Presents design concepts to the public and develops strategies for achieving consensus on project designs.
  • Represents the department at public meetings.
  • Delivers presentations to the public, task forces, committees and boards.
  • Interprets and explains designs, plans, and terminology, land use, and public financing.
  • Develops informational and visual aids to enhance understanding.
  • Represents the County's interests and serves as a liaison between the County, the general public, and other agencies and organizations providing information, facilitating the successful completion of contracts, and responding to concerns regarding assigned County projects.
  • Manages the Special Events Program, which includes issuing all permits for special events and shelter reservation w/in the park system.
  • Serves as park and open space planning resource and liaison with the Board of County Commissioners and interdepartmental committees regarding parks and open space planning issues.
  • Researches, designs, and develop surveys and/or questionnaires to identify issues of public concern.
• Real Estate
  • Serves as lead negotiator for acquisition of Conservation Futures Park Land, working within program guidelines and state law; running, managing and implementing all aspects of the program, including real estate, planning, capital, stewardship, maintenance, grants and larger policy projects.
  • May be asked to lead negotiations to acquire other park lands, i.e. community parks, regional parks, and/or natural areas.
  • Maintains files, inventory and records of all County Park property, acquisitions, leases, legal actions, and related processes.
  • Performs field checks and recommends site selection; review governmental property for potential park use.
  • Negotiates, documents and closes real estate transactions with the assistance of legal and finance staff.
  • Researches and carries out all phases of Land Acquisition projects from initial outreach and landowner negotiation through supervision of appraisers, surveyors, and other consultants.
  • Acquires real estate property rights (rights of way, easements, fee-simple, real estate, air rights, rights of entry, etc.).
  • Searches and examines court and tax records to determine or confirm property boundaries, property rights, property assessments, real estate market values, etc.
  • Reviews zoning records to determine proposed property zoning, zoning conditions and restrictions, and their impact upon the use of the intended property.
  • Searches, determines, and collects comparable real estate sales figures within a project area; determines and collects market value of proposed property.
  • Investigates public complaints and inquiries related to County-owned real property or easements related to Parks and Recreation projects.
• Management
  • Supervises and oversees work performed by assigned staff; participates in the selection, training, motivation and performance evaluations of assigned staff. May recommend and/or administer performance improvement plans and disciplinary actions, as needed.
  • May manage and/or oversee the work of department personnel, including extra help employees, as assigned.
  • Assists in managing the workloads of assigned employees.
• Grant Administration
  • Identifies funding opportunities for acquisition and development projects identified within the department's six-year capital improvement plan.
  • Prepares and completes complex grant applications. Tasks accompanying this include but are not limited to, preparing, and presenting written and graphic materials to agencies and organizations, research, analysis and communication of statistical data, project budget development.
  • Oversees and administratively manages grant funding.
  • Evaluates compliance with grant agreements.
  • Maintains grant and contract files.
• Miscellaneous
  • Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, in urban and regional planning, park administration, landscape architecture, or a related field.
  1. Master's degree in a listed or related field is preferred.
• Five (5) years of experience in park planning, land use planning, park project management, or combination thereof is required. Real estate experience is highly desired.
• OR any combination of relevant education, training, and experience (equivalent to 9 years) that provides the desired knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work.
• Possession of a valid Driver's License at time of hire and for the duration of employment.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of land use planning, park administration and park planning.
• Knowledge of contract administration and implementation.
• Knowledge of project management and budgeting.
• Knowledge of real estate appraisals and the governmental appraisal review process.
• Knowledge of environmental assessments and title issues.
• Knowledge of the process of obtaining public funding for Land Acquisition and development.
• Knowledge of policies, procedures and regulations applicable to recreation planning and design.
• Knowledge of landscape site inventory and analysis.
• Knowledge of public participation processes and principles.
• Knowledge of legal processes related to Land Acquisition and land use planning techniques.
• Knowledge of the use and care of computers, peripherals and software including Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and PowerPoint. Working knowledge of AutoCAD, GIS, Photoshop, InDesign and/or Sketchup is highly desirable.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers and customers.
• Ability to coordinate development activities with landscape architects, architects, engineers, County crews and private contractors.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative, effective, and productive working relationships using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Ability to generate "grassroots" community support for public Land Acquisition.
• Ability to prepare presentations and department brochures.
• Ability to prepare applications for grants and other funding proposals and evaluate program planning operations and effectiveness.
• Ability to work with volunteer groups on parks projects.
• Ability to work independently and decisively on complex projects with little supervision.
• Ability to plan and organize work and completes tasks within prescribed timeframes.
• Ability to oversee contractors on department projects, conduct inspections and prepare appropriate reports.
• Ability to coordinate with various government agencies in obtaining required permits.
• Ability to maintain accurate records
• Ability to work on projects that may include complex financing arrangements and sensitive political issues.
• Ability to combine sound business practice and judgment with commitment to land preservation.